Why Your Ears Pop on Airplanes

Ever feel your ears pop during takeoff or landing? It’s not just pressure — it’s your

body balancing the air around you! When the airplane climbs or descends, air pressure outside

your ear changes faster than inside. Inside your head, there’s a tiny passage called the

Eustachian tube that connects your ear to your throat. When you swallow or yawn,

that tube opens and lets trapped air escape — equalizing the pressure. That’s why chewing

gum or sipping water helps — it keeps that tube working during altitude changes.

So the next time your ears pop on a flight — thank your body for doing

its job!