What tastes better on an airplane?

According to a 2016 study by a group of Cornell researchers published in the Journal of Experimental Psychology: Human Perception and Performance, tomato juice, AKA the main ingredient in a Bloody Mary, tastes better in the air due to the noise level on an airplane, which influences a human's perception of taste.



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The dry cabin air messes with our odor receptors, and since things taste differently when our sense of smell is impaired—think about eating when you have a cold—food tastes blander on a plane than it does on the ground. That same principle is what makes tomato juice taste better in the air.

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A study by Cornell University revealed our sense of taste – specifically sweet and umami (savoury) flavours – is impacted by noisy environments like aeroplanes. This is just one of the reasons why you'll find that a strongly flavoured savoury dish like a curry tastes much better than a strawberry cheesecake.

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Under the low cabin pressure, our taste detectors and sense of smell are completely different. Whilst on the ground tomato juice, such as V8 Original, is a savoury delight. However, once in the air it becomes an instantly sweet and fruity drink – the perfect, refreshing treat on a long-haul flight.

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Its normally earthy flavor is altered by the altitude and turns sweet and fruity. Plus, tomatoes are known for their savory umami flavor, which doesn't change with altitude and becomes more pronounced when the fruit's other flavors are dulled.

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An ideal drink for a flight Tomato juice is also very popular on trips, as it is very refreshing, sweet and fruity. “It's a drink that's 95% water, so it's very hydrating and as such, very interesting,” explains Sophie Janvier. And hydration is essential at altitude.

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Water is preferable to keep yourself from getting completely dried out. Also, unlike alcohol, drinking too much water has never been the cause of inflight fights or nastiness. One more quick point on alcohol: you can bring it in your carry-on (3.4 ounces or less), but you can't drink it while on the plane.

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“Eating lots of heavy carbs such as pasta with thick, dense sauces, breads, muffins or cakes will leave you feeling lethargic, cranky, and not full or satisfied,” he said.

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Food and drinks to avoid on planes according to flight attendants
  • Alcohol.
  • Water (that isn't bottled)
  • Ice.
  • Tea and Coffee.
  • Cheese Boards.
  • Steak.
  • Soup.
  • Pasta.


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Airplane food is made before the flight. It is precooked and reheated on the flight. Some airlines may bake cookies or scones during the flight, but actually cooking food from scratch doesn't really happen.

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Cornell University food scientists say airplane noise, which tends to hover around 85 decibels, can affect travelers' taste buds — suppressing their taste for sweet stuff and boosting the taste of umami-rich foods like tomato juice.

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According to a 2016 study by a group of Cornell researchers published in the Journal of Experimental Psychology: Human Perception and Performance, tomato juice, AKA the main ingredient in a Bloody Mary, tastes better in the air due to the noise level on an airplane, which influences a human's perception of taste.

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Our 11 Best Airplane Snack Ideas
  • Blueberry, Oatmeal & Flaxseed Muffins. ...
  • Nekisia Davis' Olive Oil & Maple Granola. ...
  • Pan Bagnat: Le French Tuna Salad Sandwich. ...
  • Italian Snacking Bread. ...
  • Shichimi Togarashi Granola. ...
  • Malted Chocolate Chunk Cookie Bars. ...
  • Wasabi Pea Snack Mix. ...
  • Around-the-World Coconut Popcorn Mix.


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To be extra safe, the CUNY researchers advised people never to drink water onboard a plane that does not come from a sealed bottle. They also said passengers should not drink coffee or tea brewed on their flight, and that they should even use hand sanitizer instead of washing their hands with onboard water.

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It's a list of four things you definitely should NOT eat or drink right before hopping on a plane . . .
  • Salty foods. It's common for people to get dehydrated on planes, thanks to the dry air in the cabin. ...
  • Carbonated beverages. ...
  • Alcohol. ...
  • Coffee.


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