What happens if I fly with nasal congestion?

By failing to equalize sinus and ear pressures with cabin pressure, a congested nose can result in blockages of the Eustachian tube (connecting the middle ear to the back of the nose). This can quickly lead to a mid-flight medical emergency, such as bleeding or rupturing of the eardrum or hearing loss.



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PLEASE NOTE: You should avoid flying if your nose is congested from a cold or allergies. In the most severe case, this may lead to a permanent decrease in your hearing, prolonged dizziness, or severe pain.

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Airplane air is dryer than typical air. The low humidity of cabin air can inflame the sinus's delicate mucous membranes. The lack of moisture can also disrupt their natural cleaning process—leaving you more vulnerable to infection.

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What to do before you fly with cold symptoms
  1. Take decongestants. Medicines like Sudafed work to reduce swelling around your Eustachian tubes, giving the ear more of a shot at equalizing, says Linder. ...
  2. Try nasal sprays. Really stuffed up? ...
  3. Pack lozenges. Keep hard candy to suck on or gum to chew in your carry-on as well.


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The dry air, low pressure, and the low amount of oxygen cause the immune system to weaken and can lead to inflamed sinus cavities.

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If you fly with a head cold or seasonal allergies, Dr. Pinkston said it's possible you may significantly stretch your eardrum because your Eustachian tubes wouldn't be working properly to equalize pressure. If the stretching of the eardrum is considerable, these problems may occur: Capillaries in the ear break.

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Treat congestion before your trip
If you're congested from allergies or an upper respiratory infection, it's important to do what you can to resolve the congestion before you fly. Common treatments for congestion include antihistamines, decongestants, and nasal steroid sprays.

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In extreme circumstances, rupture of the eardrum may occur leading to lasting damage. For this reason, most doctors would agree that it's wise to avoid air travel when you're sick to prevent pain and possible complications.

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