![\"swiss](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Woman-boards-flight-at-LAX-2.jpg\")
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It\u2019s rare for passengers to witness the behind-the-scenes workings of a plane, such as a preflight check. That is, under normal circumstances.<\/p>\n
Recently, one woman flying with Swiss International Air Lines says she caught a glimpse of this preflight process.<\/p>\n
In her video, which has gone viral with over 2 million views, TikTok creator Maya (@mayaworld18) films herself sitting in her plane<\/a> seat, looking uncomfortable. She appears to be in the dark.<\/p>\n \u201cAccidentally catching a light test on my flight,\u201d she wrote in the video\u2019s text overlay.<\/p>\n First, she fans herself with the safety information pamphlet, then shows a bottle of water to the camera, at which point a bright light comes on. Then, as she shows a bag of refreshing tissue, the light behind her changes again, this time flashing in different colors, before turning to normal.<\/p>\n Maya added some more detail in the caption. \u201cWe sat for over two hours on the plane with no power and no AC,\u201d she wrote. \u201cFlight was ultimately cancelled. At least we got water, nuts, a refreshing towel, and a light show.\u201d<\/p>\n What Is a \u2018Light Test\u2019 on a Plane? <\/p>\n In order to be able to operate an aircraft, a flight crew has to make sure that all of its lights are working properly, both during the day and at night. This is regulated<\/a> by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).<\/p>\n A flight is not allowed to take off without making sure that lights such as anti-collision lights, landing lights, taxi, logo, wing inspection, and more are fully operational.<\/p>\n As per the Airplane Flying Handbook<\/a>, \u201cAll airplane lights should be checked for operation by turning them on momentarily during the preflight inspection.\u201d<\/p>\n This is likely what Maya caught in her video, though it\u2019s unclear what caused the reported cancellation.<\/p>\n The Mary Sue has reached out to Maya (@mayaworld18) via TikTok messages for more information. We\u2019ve also contacted Swiss International Airlines via contact form for official comment.<\/p>\n Viewers Have Questions <\/p>\n In the comments section, users focused more on the flashing lights.<\/p>\n \u201cOkay but why does an airplane HAVE a rave mode,\u201d one joked.<\/p>\n \u201cOh, so we could be having fun but just choose not to, ok,\u201d another quipped.<\/p>\n A third commenter thought Maya deserved some sort of compensation.<\/p>\n \u201cDepending on the actual temp in the cabin\u2026 thats actually against faa regulations,\u201d they wrote. \u201cIf they don\u2019t rebook you or compensate you. -from a flight attendant who would be going crazy in a hot cabin with passengers for that long.\u201d<\/p>\n @mayaworld18<\/a> We sat for over two hours on the plane with no power and no AC. Flight was ultimately cancelled. At least we got water, nuts, a refreshing towel, and a light show. #swissairlines<\/a> #lax<\/a> #nopower<\/a> \u266c original sound \u2013 Maya\u2019s World ?<\/a> <\/p>\n \u201cThey rebooked me for the next day!\u201d Maya responded to that comment. \u201cI still am submitting a claim bc my initial flight was a direct and I ended up with a connecting flight.\u201d<\/p>\n Have a tip we should know? [email\u00a0protected]<\/a><\/p>\n \t![\"Image](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Ljeonida-Mulabazi-Marysue.png\")
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