Flatulence on a plane: How to avoid unpleasant situations!

Flatulence on a plane: How to avoid unpleasant situations!

Air travel can present a variety of challenges, including unpleasant seatmates. These can be noticeable due to a lot of space, noise or unpleasant smells. The topic of flatulence in particular is often perceived as unpleasant. A common cause of this is flatus, also known as farts, which occurs due to changes in pressure in the intestines during flight. Gastroenterologist Birgit Terjung explains that the air pressure in the plane causes the air in the intestines to become looser, which can lead to increased gases escaping. Although this phenomenon also occurs on the ground, it is often more noticeable in the close quarters of an aircraft. This is particularly important in economy class, where space is limited and air quality is compromised, which can compound the problem.

A Danish research group has looked into this topic and recommends that in such cases you should simply “let it drive”, which is intended to be humorous and was published in the “New Zealand Medical Journal” in 2013. Airbus has rejected the idea of ​​using activated carbon in aircraft seats to absorb odors as unnecessary since cabin air circulation already works efficiently. Engineer Bruno Fargeon explained that the air in the aircraft is replaced with fresh and filtered air every two to three minutes to effectively remove stagnant air.

Preventive measures

To prevent bloating, Turkish Airlines recommends avoiding caffeine before your flight and instead consuming herbal tea. Eating and drinking slowly can also help minimize gas formation. According to Birgit Terjung, passengers should not eat foods that are difficult to digest before the flight. In addition, carbonated drinks can promote flatulence, while tomato juice is usually unproblematic.

If you feel pressure, it is advisable to walk up and down the aisle and massage your stomach. In first class, the problem of flatulence is even more unpleasant because leather seats expel gases instead of absorbing them. In an enclosed space such as an airplane, unpleasant odors such as perfume, sweat or bad breath are particularly annoying.

In summary, bloating is a common but little-discussed problem when traveling by air. The changes in air pressure during the flight can worsen the situation, which is why preventive measures are of great importance. It is hoped that passengers will be aware of these challenges and can take appropriate precautions.