What does it feel like to be on an airplane?

Air pressure is lower at higher altitudes, which means your body takes in less oxygen. Airlines “pressurize” the air in the cabin, but not to sea-level pressures, so there's still less oxygen getting to your body when you fly, which can make you feel drained or even short of breath.



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No matter your age, a person's first flight is an exhilarating experience. First-time flyers are often either scared or excited about their big day. If you're feeling nervous about flying, you should feel secure knowing you are safer in the air than driving in a car .

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If you're seated with your belt on, it's like a roller coaster ride and nothing worse. Remember that I said it's rare, not unheard of, for turbulence to bring airplanes down. There is one kind of turbulence that has been known to cause accidents -- the turbulence generated by thunderstorms.

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The feeling is a result of negative vertical acceleration. It can also happen at other times during the flight, such as during turbulence or when starting a descent.

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Motion can be felt in an airplane, in fact several times in every flight. Every time a plane climbs, descends, turns, increases or decreases its speed all its passengers are being accelerated (acceleration can be positive or negative, depending on the chosen reference frame).

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It can also be very frightening. If you've never flown on an airplane before, it can be a bit scary. After all, human beings don't have wings and aren't used to flying thousands of feet above the ground.

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Bloated stomach or stomachache
Since this air expands when the aircraft gains altitude, people who are constipated or drink a lot of carbonated beverages may experience bloating and stomachache. Most stomachaches that occur during a flight are caused by air expanding in the stomach.

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But for newbies, it can be terrifying, mainly due to the fear of the unknown. The fear of flying can be due to a number of reasons including claustrophobia, fear of heights, panic attacks, fear of being out of control or even from watching to many TV shows like air crash investigation!

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How Can You Stop Airsickness Before It Starts?
  1. Dramamine is an over-the-counter preventative drug that can help with motion sickness while flying. ...
  2. Eat food that is low in sodium and fat a few hours before your flight. ...
  3. Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.


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Aerophobia is an extreme fear of flying. People with aerophobia might feel intense anxiety before or during a flight. This condition can interfere with your ability to travel for work or pleasure. If aerophobia is affecting your quality of life, talk to your healthcare provider.

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You'll feel the tires hit the runway and that can be a bit dramatic but it's normal. You'll feel the pilots start to brake and that is pretty cool feeling the engine slow itself down from 300+ mph.

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So in summary, the sinking feeling you get after takeoff is a result of your inner ear's response to the sudden change in acceleration and gravity as the plane leaves the ground. It's a completely normal sensation and nothing to be concerned about.

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Besides size, some design experts say airplane seats are not well-designed for human bodies, which explains why they're so uncomfortable. Think of an economy seat as a shirt that's designed to be one-size-fits-all.

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Jet belly: (noun) the bloated state in which your stomach inflates post-flight. Also, a very unpleasant feeling. May also make you look like you're 3 months pregnant. So how does one prevent this jet belly? Well, it all depends on what you eat on the plane.

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Takeoff and landing are widely considered the most dangerous parts of a flight.

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A lack of oxygen, combined with airplane cabin pressure, can make some passengers feel as though they're sitting on a cliff at 8,000 feet and can lead to an in-flight fainting spell. It's a scary situation for passengers and crew.

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Most commercial aircraft typically fly at around 460-575 mph, or 740-930 km/h, according to Flight Deck Friend. But private jet speed can vary depending on a variety of factors, such as the weight onboard and the weather conditions.

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