Airplane headaches: Inside the puzzling condition that makes people afraid to fly

Simply jetting off for a summer escape can take a major toll on your mental health — never mind the long lines and cramped conditions.

Research suggests that as many as one in 12 people suffer from severe airplane headaches while flying, with some developing a full-blown fear of air travel as a result.

A 28-year-old’s struggle with recurrent airplane headaches was detailed just last month in the Journal of Medical Case Reports, with the woman reporting severe headaches lasting 30 minutes after landing. Things got so bad that she tried to take trains instead of planes for her twice-monthly work trips.

Here’s everything you need to know about the baffling condition — including steps you can take to keep it from ruining your vacation before it even starts.

What is an airplane headache?

It’s a sharp, stabbing pain — typically on one side of the forehead — that comes on suddenly and only happens during air travel, according to Neurology Live.

The pain can strike at any point during a flight, though it most often occurs during descent.

Unlike migraines, which can linger for hours or even days, airplane headaches are usually short-lived and tend ease up within 30 minutes of their onset.

The syndrome was first described in 2004, and the International Headache Society officially recognized “headaches attributed to airplane travel” as a diagnosis in 2013.

How do airplane headaches affect travelers?

Airplane headaches don’t just cause pain — they can impact emotional well-being and overall travel experience.

One survey found that 28% of sufferers often consider canceling trips to avoid another attack. Another 18% sometimes think about bailing, and 3% say they always do.

The pain wrecks in-flight downtime too. Nearly half said airplane headaches always interrupt activities like listening to music, reading or watching movies while traveling. Another 22% said the disruptions happen sometimes, and 30% said they happen often.

Other studies suggest these headaches fuel stress, trigger flight anxiety and push people toward avoidance behaviors. Up to 12% of sufferers say they steer clear of flying altogether because of the intense pain.

What causes airplane headaches?

The science is still up in the air. There are two main theories, both focused on the effects of rapid pressure changes in the cabin of a plane during takeoff and landing.

One theory suggests this shift causes cerebral arteries to dilate, lowering blood pressure in the brain and triggering a brief, sharp headache.

Another theory proposes the pressure change causes tissue injury and inflammation in the sinuses, leading to intense pain.

How to prevent airplane headaches

No guaranteed cure exists, but some tricks might keep the pain at bay.

Some people have found that taking medications like triptans or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) before a flight can help prevent or reduce the severity of airplane headaches.

The woman from the case report found success by taking the prescription medicine rimegepant, sold under the brand name Nurtec ODT, half an hour before plane departure.

Others find relief with nasal decongestants or steroid sprays that can ease sinus pressure.

During the flight, chewing gum or using earplugs on takeoff and landing can help block out the pain.

And don’t forget — the basics matter, too. When you’re traveling, make sure you’re staying hydrated, keeping your stress levels in check and getting plenty of rest to prevent headaches from grounding your trip.