• News
  • Film and TV
  • Music
  • Tech
  • Features
  • Celebrity
  • Politics
  • Weird
  • Community
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
TikTok
YouTube
Submit Your Content
Doctor reveals the real reason why you fart on planes and why it's unavoidable

Home> News> Travel

Published 17:03 11 Sep 2024 GMT+1

Doctor reveals the real reason why you fart on planes and why it's unavoidable

It turns out there's a reason why you fart more than usual on planes

Niamh Shackleton

Niamh Shackleton

google discoverFollow us on Google Discover

If you've ever noticed that you are concerningly more gassy while on a plane, it turns out you're not alone.

Needing to fart while stuck on a plane in close proximity to hundreds of other people is arguably one of the worst times to let out a bottom burp.

It's hot, it's stuffy, and you're sharing the same oxygen with a large group of people for hours on end (depending on the length of your flight), so the last thing you want is to fart and have everyone suffer around you.

Farting on a plane is definitely a travel no-go (Getty Stock)
Farting on a plane is definitely a travel no-go (Getty Stock)

Advert

But your apparent flatulence on planes technically isn't your fault - unless you've eaten tonnes of Brussels sprouts before boarding your plane, that is.

Explaining why you end up notably gassier while airborne, TikTok's resident doctor, Dr Karan Rajan, took to social media and shared all.

"When you fly, the cabin pressure decreases so the air inside your intestines increases by up to 30 percent more than usual," he said.

"Since your colon has limited space and can only expand so much, a natural consequence is to release these fumes."

And while you might try hold in the deadly fart, it's likely that you'll still end up releasing some of the gasses.

People might feel more of an urge to fart while flying because of decreased cabin pressure (Getty Stock)
People might feel more of an urge to fart while flying because of decreased cabin pressure (Getty Stock)

Apparently this is why airlines will make sure the meals given out to passengers are low in fiber and high in carbs as it's less likely to make you bloated and gassy.

According to Dr Rajan, airlines even go as far as having charcoal filters in the air conditioning 'to absorb your sulphurous fumes' - a 2018 study even suggested that the presence of 'charcoal-equipped HEPA filters' improved the air quality.

If you're worried about your flatulence while flying, however, Dr Rajan went on to urge people to steer clear of foods like diary products, garlic, onions, seeds, and certain types of bread to before travelling.

He also recommends taking your time while eating to avoid any unnecessary air swallowing.

His sentiments on the matter come after a passenger forced a plane to turn around earlier this year after the man let one rip is someone's direction.

The man in question got into a heated discussion with another passenger over a reserved seat, sparking the man to forcibly fart at the person they were arguing with.

Eventually, the culprit ended up in a dispute with the rest of the plane and the airline chose to turn around and have him escorted off the aircraft.

Don't fart and fly, folks.

Featured Image Credit: Instagram/@drkaranrajan/Getty/Thomas Barwick

Topics: News, Travel, Health

Niamh Shackleton
Niamh Shackleton

Niamh Shackleton is an experienced journalist for UNILAD, specialising in topics including mental health and showbiz, as well as anything Henry Cavill and cat related. She has previously worked for OK! Magazine, Caters and Kennedy.

X

@niamhshackleton

Advert

Advert

Advert

Choose your content:

an hour ago
6 hours ago
  • Roberto Schmidt/Getty Images
    an hour ago

    Donald Trump declares Iran war is ‘pretty much complete’ and claims they ‘were going to attack us 100%’

    Yet despite the reported 'success' so far, the President insisted that the US hasn't 'won enough' yet.

    News
  • Taylor Hill/WireImage
    6 hours ago

    Country star Maren Morris sends strong message to people who voted for Trump

    She also described Fox News as a 'Cocomelon brain rot for boomers'

    Celebrity
  • Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto via Getty Images
    6 hours ago

    Flight attendant explains whether Airplane Mode is actually necessary on planes

    Cabin crew don't make the request just a means of making things awkward passengers

    News
  • Tiffany Rose/Getty Images for Supermodels Unlimited
    6 hours ago

    Former Playboy model Kendra Wilkinson hits back at critics saying that she's aging 'poorly'

    Kendra Wilkinson fired back at the 'negative energy' of people who attack her appearance 20 years after the Playboy Mansion

    Celebrity
  • Doctor reveals disturbing reason why you should not go on a cruise 'anytime soon'
  • Former airline crew member reveals why you should never wear black socks on a plane
  • Key reason why pilots on the same plane have to eat different meals on board
  • Doctor reveals the eight unexpected ways stress can show on the body