Adam Saleh, who describes himself as a "professional idiot", made headlines this morning for claiming he squeezed into a tiny suitcase and illegally flew in the baggage hold from Melbourne to Sydney.
The video, posted on YouTube, shows Saleh's mates zipping him into a suitcase with a video camera. He can be heard saying: "I am so scared, I don't know if I'm going to survive".
But Melbourne Airport has its own footage taken from security cameras and it proves the whole thing was a hoax.
In a still image released to news.com.au, the 23-year-old can be seen boarding the flight with his friends like a normal human being.
Tigerair wasted no time slamming the popular American vlogger.
"There are a few little inconsistencies in your production that don't line up with reality," a spokesperson wrote in an open letter on Saleh's social media channels.
The Youtube clip shows Saleh's friends getting out of a taxi and wheeling him to the automated check-in area. They pay an overweight fee, and the bag disappears down the conveyor belt.
Tigerair pointed out the automated bag drop machines only take a maximum of 32kg per piece - not a 66kg bag concealing a fully grown man.
"Anything over 32kg gets rejects and our friendly staff would have stepped in to assist with options, as indeed they did. We have the footage," it said.
Second, while some aircraft has heated baggage holds for transporting pets or live cargo, this jet was not one of them.
The video shows Saleh sweating profusely inside the suitcase, which wouldn't have been possible given the temperature at 36,000 feet drops as low as minus 56C.
"Had you been in the baggage hold, by the time you arrived in Sydney you would have been a popsicle," they retorted.
Adam Saleh is zipped into a suitcase by friends. Photo / YouTube
The suitcase disappears down an automated check-in conveyor belt. Photo / YouTube
Things get a bit sweaty inside the suitcase at times. Photo / YouTube
Finally, while Saleh's seat appears to be empty on the flight, Melbourne Airport security footage shows him lining up with his co-conspirators at the gate.
"While this video is clearly a publicity stunt, it promotes behaviours that are dangerous and life threatening," Melbourne Airport told news.com.au.
"Airport safety and security are serious matters, and not appropriate targets for humour."
The airport added it has no desire to add to Saleh's notoriety.
Upon arrival in Sydney, Saleh climbed back into the suitcase and his mates placed him on the luggage carousel. The YouTube clip shows him wriggling out of the tiny bag, victoriously pumping his fist in the air as bemused passengers watch on.
The 11-minute clip, published on Tuesday, has almost 320,000 views.
