If you’ve ever sat in an aircraft during takeoff or landing, you’ve probably felt that sudden pressure in your ears followed by a faint pop. You’re not alone. Aviation health studies show that more than 60% of passengers experience ear discomfort during a flight, and a smaller percentage report sharp pain that lingers even after landing. For frequent flyers, this becomes an expected inconvenience. But the reason behind it is far more interesting than most imagine. 

Inside each ear sits a tiny passageway called the Eustachian tube, which balances the pressure between your middle ear and the outside world. When an aircraft climbs or descends, the air pressure around you changes faster than your ears can adjust. The Eustachian tube tries to open and equalize the pressure, and that moment is what you experience as the familiar “pop.” When it struggles to open smoothly, the discomfort grows into pain, muffled hearing, or a blocked sensation. 

Children feel this more intensely because their Eustachian tubes are narrower. People with colds, sinus infections, allergies, or nasal congestion are also more likely to experience painful pressure because swelling inside the nose prevents the tube from working properly. Even healthy adults can have difficulty if the pressure changes too quickly during a steep landing or sudden altitude shift. 

The good news is that most of this discomfort is preventable. Simple habits can help your ears adjust without struggle. Staying hydrated and keeping the throat active during takeoff or landing helps open the Eustachian tube. Many travellers chew gum, sip water, or suck on candy for this very reason. Others use gentle swallowing techniques or the “yawn trick” to prevent pressure build-up. 

For people who fly often or already have sinus or ear trouble, protecting the ears becomes even more important. Using filtered earplugs designed for flying can slow the pressure change and make the experience far more comfortable. Treating nasal congestion before a flight—especially with a doctor-recommended nasal spray—also helps the ear regulate pressure with less effort. Avoiding sleep just before landing can make a difference too, because the body adjusts better when you’re awake and swallowing naturally. 

If ear pain becomes a regular part of your travel routine or if the blocked sensation lasts hours after landing, it may be a sign that your Eustachian tube needs medical evaluation. Frequent popping, ringing, or temporary hearing loss after flights shouldn’t be ignored. 

At Anand ENT Hospital, Coimbatore, our specialists assess these symptoms with advanced diagnostic tools to understand how your ears respond to pressure changes. With the right guidance and treatment, flying can become far more comfortable than before. 
If air travel leaves your ears aching or blocked, schedule a consultation and let us help you fly without the worry of ear pain.