That's exactly what happened to travel writer Mathew Klint on a United Airlines flight from New York to Istanbul last week.
In his travel blog Live and Let Fly, Mr Klint says the incident was traumatising and highly embarrassing.
He had been booked to fly business class and wanted to provide a review. So he started to take photos for the blog.
"As I settled into my seat, I pulled out my iPhone to take a few pictures of the seat. When I held the phone at forehead level to take the picture below, a flight attendant came running over and told me that I could not take any pictures of the cabin,” Mr Klint writes.
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Mr Klint claims the flight attendant then directed him to a section of the in-flight magazine that explains you can't take photos or video without getting permission unless it's of you and your friends and not of the plane.
So what did Mr Klint take a photo of?
He claims (the photo is published here) that he took one photo of the in-flight entertainment system on United.
Mr Klint says he stopped taking photographs as soon as he was asked. He then tried to explain that he was a travel writer and intended to do a review.
"I want you to understand why I was taking pictures. I hope you didn't think I was a terrorist. Here is my business card [offering her one]. I write about United Airlines on an almost-daily basis and the folks at United in Chicago are even aware of my blog."
Soon after Mr Klint says he was approached by a Global Services representative who told him that he must leave the flight immediately.
Other passengers on the flight have confirmed that Mr Klint did stop taking photographs when he was asked to by the flight attendant.
United Airlines confirmed to news.com.au that they had spoken to Mr Klint. An investigation into the incident is underway.
A spokesperson told news.com.au that passengers were welcome to record their experience on planes, but they should be careful not to record staff members without consent.
"We have spoken with Mr. Klint about his experience,” a United Airlines spokesperson said. "Separately, we welcome customers to record their personal experiences on board provided they don't take photos or videos of customers and crew members without their consent. This is both a security and service measure we take that also respects the privacy of other customers. United's policy was implemented in 2010."
Mr Klint insists he followed the flight attendants instructions and stopped photographing as soon as he was asked.
"Perhaps I should not have used the term 'terrorist'” he said.
Mr Klint says he does not blame United for the incident, although he is still clearly distressed by it.
"I will not tar and feather United Airlines as a whole based on the unfortunate actions of one FA and one pilot. Our 10-year relationship means something and I am not going to split because of one bad day. Having said that, United must now earn my trust back. More importantly, I want to see the airline move in a direction that no passenger is ever again put in the position that I was.”
What do you think? Should passengers be allowed to take photos on board planes?
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