Dallas Woman Books Budget Flight So Small the Pilot’s Water Bottle Sat Beside Her Seat: “They Weighed Her Suitcase and Her!”

DALLAS, TEXAS — A Dallas woman’s viral TikTok has people laughing — and a little nervous — after she revealed her friend’s tiny regional plane flight was so cramped that the pilot’s water bottle sat beside her seat. The post, which jokingly compared the experience to a “Shein flight,” has been viewed nearly 200,000 times as users reacted to the unusual photos and behind-the-scenes look at ultra-small air travel.

Viral “Shein Flight” Post Shows Just How Small the Plane Was

TikToker Ash Mercer (@ashmercer) shared the viral clip featuring her friend’s flight, captioning it, “Dropping my friend off for her SHEIN flight at DFW… they weighed her suitcase and her.” The video shows photos of a tiny 10-seat aircraft that flew from Williamsport Regional Airport to Washington Dulles International Airport, operated by iflysouthern.com, a small regional airline. In one message shown on-screen, Mercer’s friend texted, “The pilot just reached and took a sip from his water bottle and then slid it back next to me — I’m literally crying.”

The scene looked nothing like a typical commercial flight — passengers boarded directly from the tarmac, sat just feet away from the cockpit, and could see the pilot operating the controls throughout the trip.

Does Shein Really Sell Flights?

Despite the viral joke, Shein, the budget-friendly fashion app known for its ultra-cheap clothing and accessories, does not sell plane tickets or operate flights. The comparison was purely for humor, playing on Shein’s reputation for low-cost products. BroBible confirmed that Shein’s website includes no mention of travel services or partnerships with any airlines. The video’s “Shein flight” reference has since become a meme, symbolizing the bare-bones experience of bargain-priced travel.

Why Passengers Are Weighed on Small Aircraft

Many commenters were shocked to learn that passengers themselves were weighed before boarding. Aviation experts explained that small regional aircraft — those with a maximum takeoff weight under 12,500 pounds — rely heavily on precise weight and balance calculations to ensure safety. According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), weight distribution is critical for smaller planes, as even a few extra pounds in the wrong area can affect flight stability. For that reason, both luggage and passengers are sometimes weighed before boarding and assigned specific seats to maintain balance.

Are Small Planes Safe to Fly?

While small planes may feel riskier, experts say regional commuter flights like Mercer’s friend’s are still highly regulated and safe. The FAA holds these aircraft to strict maintenance, inspection, and pilot training standards. Organizations such as LifeLine Pilots emphasize that every commercial flight — no matter the size — must pass safety checks before takeoff and undergo annual inspections by certified professionals. Statistically, corporate and commuter flights have far lower accident rates than private recreational flying.

Social Media Reactions: “She Flying Private, Lowkey”

Commenters flooded Mercer’s post with jokes and questions. “First off, SHEIN has flights????” one viewer wrote. Another added, “It’s giving iCarly movie when they flew to Japan.” Others reassured the TikToker that small planes are safe, with one person noting, “I’ve done this exact flight over 30 times — it’s actually the sweetest experience.” Still, most users couldn’t help but laugh at the surreal setup, saying they’d never seen a pilot’s water bottle sitting in the passenger cabin.

The viral moment has since sparked a wave of “Shein Airlines” memes, poking fun at low-cost travel and how far people will go to save money on airfare.

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