Why Do My Ears Feel Blocked After a Flight — and What Can I Do About It?

If you've ever stepped off a plane with ears that feel blocked, pressurised, or stuffy — and that feeling has hung around for hours or even days — you're not imagining things, and you're certainly not alone. It's so common it has a name: aeroplane ear, or barotrauma. Here's what's actually happening, and what you can do about it.

Why do ears feel blocked after a flight?

Your ear has a small channel called the Eustachian tube, which runs from the middle ear (the space behind your eardrum) to the back of your nose and throat. Its job is to equalise the air pressure on both sides of your eardrum — which it does every time you swallow, yawn, or chew. During a flight, the cabin pressure changes, particularly during descent. If the Eustachian tube isn't opening properly, the pressure difference between your middle ear and the cabin can't equalise, and the eardrum gets pushed inward. The result is that characteristic feeling of pressure, muffled hearing, and sometimes pain. For most people, it resolves within a few hours of landing. For others — particularly those who are congested from a cold, allergies, or sinus issues — it can persist for several days.

What helps during the flight

The most effective in-flight technique is the Valsalva manoeuvre: pinch your nose gently, close your mouth, and blow softly as if you're blowing your nose. This pushes air up the Eustachian tube and often produces that satisfying pop. Don't blow hard — gentle and slow is more effective and safer. Other things that help:

• Chewing gum or swallowing frequently during descent

• Yawning deliberately

• Staying well hydrated — dry air in the cabin makes congestion worse

• Using a nasal decongestant spray 30 minutes before descent if you're congested

• Wearing pressure-regulating earplugs (EarPlanes) — available in pharmacies

What if your ears still haven't popped days after landing?

If the blocked feeling persists beyond 24 to 48 hours, it's worth getting checked. A few things could be going on: Firstly, ear wax. Many people don't realise that wax build-up significantly worsens aeroplane ear — because it prevents the eardrum from moving freely, making it harder for pressure to equalise. If you regularly struggle with ear pressure during flights, having a wax check before you travel is a sensible precaution. Secondly, Eustachian tube dysfunction. If your Eustachian tube is sluggish or inflamed — often due to allergies or recurrent congestion — it may need attention from a GP or ENT specialist. Thirdly, rarely, a perforated eardrum. If you experienced sharp pain during the flight followed by sudden relief, this is worth getting checked urgently.

When to come and see us

If your ears feel blocked after a flight and you're not sure whether wax is contributing, we can check and — if wax is present — remove it the same day. It's a quick appointment and often makes an immediate difference. Call us on 01291 332211 or book online. We see a lot of post-flight ear complaints, especially after the school holidays, so don't hesitate to get in touch.