Content creator criticized for making sourdough bread mid-flight
Online backlash over in-flight bread-making video sparks debate on allergens and hygiene
Maria Baradell, a 37-year-old social media content creator and bread bakery owner, is facing criticism after posting a video of herself making sourdough bread during a flight to Spain. Known for her engaging videos about her bread-making process, Baradell’s latest endeavor has sparked controversy online.
The video, posted on TikTok and Instagram, shows Baradell preparing a loaf of sourdough bread from her airplane seat. During her American Airlines flight from Chicago to Barcelona, she mixed water and sourdough starter in a pop-up bowl, added flour and other ingredients, and performed a series of stretch and folds—all while balancing the dough on the fold-out tray.
The dough was then left to ferment while she took a nap. Due to the cabin’s altitude, temperature, and humidity, however, the dough did not fully rise. Baradell had to wait until she reunited with her sister in Barcelona to complete the proofing and baking process.
Criticism and concerns over allergens and hygiene
What was intended to be a creative video showcasing her passion for bread-making quickly attracted a wave of negative comments. Many online users expressed concern about potential health risks for passengers with allergies, particularly to gluten. “What about people who have severe allergies?” one user commented. Another added, “I carry an Epi-pen for a severe wheat allergy. The flour particles in the air would not be good.”
Others criticized the potential hygiene risks of making bread on an airplane, with concerns about the bacteria present in the cabin environment. “As an airline employee…this is a perfect example of we’ve seen it all,” one commenter noted. Some questioned how Baradell managed to bring her ingredients through airport security.
Baradell responds to backlash
In response to the criticism, Baradell told The Independent that all the ingredients she brought onboard had passed TSA checks. She also stated that she asked her seatmates for their consent before starting her bread-making and emphasized that any potential germs would be eliminated when the bread was baked. “I used sanitizing products every step of the way,” she explained.
Despite the backlash, not all feedback was negative. Some viewers praised her creativity and determination to bake at 30,000 feet. “Girl, I can’t even read on a flight…. You’re up there making bread,” one user commented. Another said, “As someone who gets super nervous flying if I saw you doing this next to me, I would instantly feel relaxed.”
A learning experience
Following the mixed reactions, Baradell issued an apology in a follow-up video, acknowledging the concerns raised and stating that she would not attempt in-flight baking again. “I was trying to be creative after I saw another creator making pasta in-flight, but thanks to your comments, I learned this was not a great idea,” she wrote. “I am very thankful for the people who shared their feedback in a kind way, but it’s ok if you want to hate on it; I had good intentions.”
She also addressed concerns about the potential risk to passengers with celiac disease, explaining, “I learned that after my first video. I figured because they serve bread on the plane it would be fine, but I was corrected. That’s why I am saying I wouldn’t try this again and that I was sorry.”
A passion for bread-making
Originally from Venezuela and now living in Dallas with her husband and five children, Baradell discovered her love for sourdough bread-making in early 2024. After initially gifting her creations to neighbors, she received so much demand that she decided to turn her hobby into a business, becoming a licensed bread seller. Despite the controversy, Baradell remains dedicated to her craft and looks forward to continuing her baking journey—on the ground.