Why Do Your Ears Pop on a Plane?

The answer

As a plane climbs, the air pressure in the cabin drops. The air trapped inside your middle ear is now at a higher pressure than the cabin, so it pushes on your eardrum, and that feels weird. Swallowing, sipping water or a big yawn opens a tiny tube between your ear and throat, the pressure evens out, and you feel the 'pop'. Oz's snack bag puffs up for the same reason.

Keep the chat going

On your next flight, bring a sealed snack bag and watch it puff up as the plane climbs.

In this episode