If you've ever felt that uncomfortable pop in your ears during take-off or landing, you're far from alone. In fact, ear discomfort on flights is such a common problem that people are turning to Google in droves for answers. Searches for “does airplane ear go away” have surged by 50% in the past year, while queries like “how to stop my ears from popping” have gone up by 22%.

Clearly, passengers are desperate for relief. So what exactly causes this strange sensation—and is there anything you can actually do about it? To get the answers, travel eSIM company Airalo spoke exclusively with commercial pilot William Hosie, who shared his expert advice on how to avoid blocked ears in the air and what’s really going on behind that all-too-familiar pop.

That painful ear pressure you feel mid-flight isn't just in your head—it's all about the change in altitude and how your body reacts to the shift.

“When you leave the ground, you're going from breathing air at sea level to breathing cabin air at what’s equivalent to around 6,000 feet,” explains Pilot William. “The higher you fly, the thinner the air—and the lower the pressure.”

Your body is usually good at adjusting, but your ears, sinuses and even teeth can struggle to keep up. “Some people get toothaches on planes too,” he adds, “especially if they have dental issues like an abscess. Pressure changes can make everything feel worse.”

While most planes are pressurised for comfort, that doesn’t mean your ears are off the hook.

“The worst flights are the ones with a steep climb or a sharp descent,” William says. “The aircraft might be changing altitude at 2,000 or 3,000 feet per minute, but the cabin tries to rise or descend much more gradually—usually about 300 feet per minute—to avoid discomfort.”

But that difference still puts pressure on your ears. And if you’re flying to a high-altitude destination like La Paz in Bolivia or Kathmandu in Nepal, the effects can be even worse.

“The greater the difference between the ground and your cruising altitude, the more likely you are to feel ear pain or experience what’s known as airplane ear,” William adds.

For Emma, 32, from Manchester, airplane ear became a painful part of an otherwise exciting trip to Turkey.

“I was totally fine during take-off, but during landing my ears wouldn’t pop at all,” she recalls. “Everything sounded muffled for hours after, and it made me feel a bit dizzy. I had no idea there was anything you could do about it!”

Her story isn’t uncommon—and it’s one of the reasons why understanding the issue (and how to fix it) matters.

Try the Valsalva manoeuvre
This old trick still works: pinch your nose, close your mouth, and blow gently. “It forces your ears to equalise pressure,” says William. “Just don’t blow too hard—if you overdo it, you could injure your eardrum.”

Chew gum or suck sweets
“Anything that gets you swallowing helps,” William says. “Chewing or sucking on a sweet encourages the Eustachian tube to open, letting your ears adjust naturally.”

Avoid flying with a cold
Blocked sinuses can be your worst enemy on a flight. “If your nose is congested, pressure can’t equalise properly,” he warns. “It’s better to avoid flying when you’re really stuffed up—especially with a sinus infection or flu.”

Use a nasal spray before boarding
A saline spray or decongestant can clear out your sinuses and make flying more comfortable, especially if you're prone to blocked ears.

For most people, ear popping is a minor irritation. But in rare cases, it can lead to more serious issues.

“If you have a bad cold, you could risk rupturing your eardrum if pressure builds up too much,” William says. “It’s rare, but it does happen. And it can take weeks to heal.”

If your ears remain blocked for several days after flying, or if you experience pain and hearing loss, it’s worth seeing a doctor to rule out infection or damage.

Whether you’re jetting off for business or heading out on holiday, a few simple steps can save you hours of discomfort.

From chewing gum to using a nasal spray, these small changes can help your ears adjust to altitude shifts—and keep you feeling fresh when you land.

And if in doubt? Don’t be afraid to do that nose-pinch-and-blow trick. It might look silly—but according to Will, it’s one of the most effective tools at your disposal.