Pilot says try this next time your ears pop on a plane (2025)

Certain places are worse than others for causing it

Feeling comfortable when flying is a priority for passengers, yet blocked ears and ear popping are common pains for jetsetters. ‘Aeroplane ear’, also known as ear barotrauma, is discomfort caused by a change in air pressure, which typically occurs during takeoff and landing.

While for many it is no more than a simple curiosity, it can cause discomfort for some. And, in unfortunate cases, it can lead to debilitating pain if people are unable to make their ears 'pop'.

In the last 12 months, Google searches for ‘does aeroplane ear go away’ have increased by 50%, and Google searches for ‘how to stop my ears from popping’ have increased by 22%.

Off the back of this, eSIM travel company Airalo has spoken exclusively with pilot William Hosie to understand why our ears pop when flying and the secret hack to avoid blocked ears.

Pilot reveals why your ears pop when flying

Many passengers can be left confused as to why their ears pop when they’re in the air. But pilot Will revealed to Airalo that it is due to cabin pressure. He said: “Cabin pressure changes as you climb or descend in the plane. When you leave the ground, you go from breathing air at sea level to flying at 35,000 feet. When the plane is at 35,000 feet, you’re breathing air in the cabin as if you’re at 6,000 feet.”

“The air is thinner and the air pressure is less, which is why some people have problems with toothache, and of course ears. If you have toothache, it can be exacerbated by an abscess.

William said that the worst journeys for blocked ears and toothache are the flights that “have a rapid climb or rapid descent. Normally for comfort, the cabin climbs or descends at 300 feet per minute, while the aeroplane is doing 2,000 or 3,000 feet per minute.”

“The higher the aeroplane flies, the greater the difference from the ground to your local environment. So, basically, the higher you fly, the more likely you are to have ear trouble. For example, when flying to places at higher altitudes, like the Himalayas, as the air is thinner, it could be said that symptoms are worse.”

Pilot-approved tips to stop ear popping when flying

Pilot Will has revealed his top tips to avoid ears popping when flying.

Hold your nose, close your mouth and blow gently

Holding your nose, closing your mouth and trying to blow gently, will equalise the air pressure that is around you. However, passengers should be careful not to damage their eardrums when doing this. A burst eardrum can be very painful and take weeks to heal

Swallow repeatedly or chew a sweet

When climbing or descending, swallowing repeatedly or chewing a sweet will help equalise the air pressure around you and for your ears to remain at a normal level.

Avoid flying if you’ve got a cold

It is always advisable to avoid flying if you have symptoms of a cold or a blocked nose.