As a flight attendant, I know all too well about the pain from bloating and discomfort that comes from being in a pressurized metal tube at 35,000 feet. It’s an uncomfortable feeling that is felt by millions of passengers every day, although the way that aircrew deal with bloating might surprise you.
On the popular social media site Reddit, one passenger asked flight attendants for their top tips and tricks to deal with bloating, and some of the answers that they got might surprise you.
“I fly internationally quite a bit, but I honestly am always so extremely uncomfortable, my stomach seems to just fill up with air no matter what, and obviously, I’m going to hold in my gas, we’re in a enclosed space,” the Redditor explained.
“TMI, but holding it in causes me severe stomach cramps, causing me to go to the lavatory so many times. Please, is there any tips or advice anyone here has that might help reduce or maybe just completely stop the bloating, gas, and pain.”
Why do you feel bloated during long flights?
At a cruising altitude of 35,000 feet, most commercial aircraft are pressurized to around 6,000 to 8,000 feet above sea level to make the cabin environment safe and comfortable.
This pressurization is, however, still lower than what your body is accustomed to on the ground. Lower pressure causes bodily gases to expand, especially in your digestive system.
The result? Feeling gassy and bloated.
The replies let the passenger into a little secret that many flight attendants probably don’t want you to know about. Crop dusting.
No, this hasn’t anything to do with farming and agriculture but rather with letting it rip. In essence, flight attendants let the gas out as they walk along the aisle.
That’s right, the flight attendant who could be smiling sweetly at you as they move gracefully down the passenger could be in the process of debloating.
“I just crop dust when I walk the aisles. You can’t hold your bodily functions in for 12 hours that’s crazy,” one flight attendant commented. Another agreed, saying: “This. Don’t be afraid to let your body do what it needs to do! Especially at work—you’ll be the best version of yourself when you’re not uncomfortable or in pain.”
Other flight attendants, however, tried to share some more helpful tips to prevent bloating in the first place, although, of course, it’s important to note that these tips aren’t coming from trained medical professionals.
Several flight attendants explained that they deliberately avoid eating carbohydrate-rich foods before a flight over the belief that bread and pastries are a big cause of the stomach discomfort so many of us experience in the air.
Others suggested that guzzling carbonated beverages, as well as alcohol, are best avoided during long flights to prevent the risk of suddenly ballooning up.
If, however, you do experience the discomfort of bloating during a flight despite taking preventative measures, there are alternatives to crop dusting. One popular over-the-counter medication used by flight attendants is Gas-X, which contains the active ingredient Simethicone.
A more natural alternative is peppermint capsules or even peppermint tea, which combines the comfort of sipping a hot liquid. Some flight attendants also swear by activated charcoal, although this can interfere with other medications if not taken correctly.
And despite all of these top tips and tricks, sometimes you just have to accept you’re going to bloat during a long flight.
One veteran crew member concluded: “I still, after 17 years, look in the mirror and think, ‘Who the f***s body is that?’ I go up a dress size every flight, no matter what I do.”
This article is for informational and entertainment purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional regarding any medical concerns. Tips shared here are anecdotal and do not substitute for professional guidance.
The explanation as to the “why” this happens is correct. When I was in the USAF, I had to be taught my signs of hypoxia by taking a “trip” in the altitude chamber. As a visual indication to the bloating, a simple balloon was taped to an aluminum straight sided ashtray.. While “on the ground” balloon was limp. As we climbed higher to the 25,000 foot altitude, the balloon was really puffed up. At 41,000 feet, it was at the bursting point. We had a couple of WAF nurses on the “flight”. As we climbed higher, the instructors announced to everyone to just let your bodily functions “…do their thing. That includes you, ladies! And, if you smell anything, your oxygen mask isn’t on correctly!”