Medical Articles
Why Do Your Ears Hurt on an Airplane?
06.09.2026
Have you ever experienced a sharp “popping” or “stabbing” pain in your ears during takeoff or landing while flying home for a visit, traveling, or going on a business trip? This discomfort occurs when the pressure inside your ears cannot adjust quickly enough to the rapid changes in air pressure.
As an airplane changes altitude, the air pressure inside the cabin also changes. During takeoff and landing, these changes happen within a short period of time. If your ears cannot adjust properly, a difference in pressure develops between the inside and outside of your ear. This pressure difference can push or pull on the eardrum, causing pain or a feeling that your ears are blocked.
The body adjusts ear pressure through a small passage called the Eustachian tube, which connects the middle ear to the back of the nose. Normally, this tube stays closed, but it opens when you yawn, swallow, or chew. This allows air to move in and out, helping to balance the pressure in your ears.The size and function of the Eustachian tube vary from person to person, so some people are more likely to experience ear pain than others. Babies and young children are especially prone to ear discomfort because their Eustachian tubes are smaller and narrower, making it harder for air to pass through. People with a stuffy nose caused by a cold, allergies, or hay fever may also experience stronger symptoms.
Interestingly, ear pain is often more common during landing than takeoff. During takeoff, the air pressure around you decreases, allowing air inside the middle ear to escape more easily. During landing, however, the surrounding air pressure increases, and air must enter the middle ear to equalize the pressure. Since the Eustachian tube is slightly less effective at letting air in, pressure differences can remain and cause discomfort.
If your ears feel blocked or uncomfortable during a flight, simple actions can help. Sucking on a candy, chewing gum, drinking water, swallowing, or yawning can encourage the Eustachian tube to open and help relieve pressure. The “ear-popping” technique, known as the Valsalva maneuver, can also be effective. To do this, close your mouth, pinch your nose, and gently blow as if trying to push air into your ears. Be careful not to blow too forcefully, as this may put extra pressure on your ears.
Ear pain during a flight is a common and natural response of the body to changes in pressure. Understanding why it happens and taking a few simple precautions—such as bringing gum or candy for takeoff and landing—can help make your next journey more comfortable and enjoyable.
Author Bio
Dr. Vivien
Medical Director/Family Medicine Specialist
After completing medical school in Moscow, Dr. Vivien gained clinical experience at a general hospital in Penang, Malaysia. She later served as a full-time physician at Batu Gajah Hospital in Perak and at a clinic in Selangor.
Since 2018, she has been with Hibari Clinic, where she currently serves as Medical Director and is dedicated to providing care for the local community. She has a strong interest in pediatrics and psychosomatic medicine, and values patient-centered care that respects each individual’s needs.