not trying to be gross: does anyone else get bad flatulence while flying?
 

For some reason flying makes me fart a lot.

It's particularly bad on trans-Oceanic flights. I can't tell if it's the food (quite possible), the fact that I'm usually wearing a seat belt and I tie it too tight, or some other factor.

So, anyone else fart a lot while flying? What do you do (if anything) about it?

Interesting! I have noticed that on many of my trans-Atlantic flights, the person sitting next to me is always passing gas. Bad gas. I thought it was a bit more than coincidence that I always got seated next Mr. or Mrs. Flatulence.

I personally don't have a gas problem on flights.

Note for the gassy folks: is there any way that you can NOT release gas while sitting next to me? I (and your fellow passengers) would certainly appreciate that.

Calling any MD's too the Thread!

The cabin is pressurized to 7 or 8 thousand feet rather than sea level. I believe that gas expands at higher altitude and compressses below sea level, therefore it would stand to reason that at higher altitudes you will have more gas in your colon, hence the consequences of passing gas. Whenever I fly on a flight more than 4 or 5 hours I experience this gaseous distension. \hope this helps! Cheers.

No worry about being gross. This is a very common occurence among people flying.
One can prevent it to a certain degree in that one carefully refrains from certain foods 24 hours prior to the trip:
avoid onions or any other food known to cause flatulence like cabbage, beans, leek, etc.
avoid drinking any "fuzzy" beverage before the flight like mineral water, coke, beer, etc.
ask your doctor for a medication that controls flatulence.
in the worst cases, try to have a thorough bowel movement right before the flight.
one good product is also natron or baking powder, mixed in a little water. Vile to drink but causes wonders.
There is no excuse for a passenger to let wind at his seat. There are lavatories on the plane that can be used ;)

Here's a neat science project for your next flight. Bring a balloon on board, blow it up to half-full, and tie it. Then watch your seatmate's surprise as the balloon expands to full size as the plane ascends.

That's more or less what also happens within your colon.

The "no excuse for a passenger to [pass] wind at his seat comment" is uninformed beyond all belief, but more experienced travelers will learn how to fluff their farts and discreetly use the overhead air nozzle to minimize adverse impacts (or at least shift the blame to someone else).

Those vaccuum toilets not only hide the brrrap noise but if you time it right while sitting on it the suction can help you get out every last bit of the rancid green vapor. :p

What part of "Beano" don't you understand?

It's OTC and helps a lot with gas producing foods.

If you're lactose intolerant add "lactaid."


If you want to be _very_ nice, try taking each before a flight and with meals. See if that helps.

Jim

Here's a simple non-pharmacologic approach.

Where are you sitting? The flatulence doesn't stink in F. They smell gently of lavender and pine. That's what I read in their faces anyway.

Side question: Can you hear farts on an airplane? My hearing is about 25 gone so I'm a poor judge. I'll let one go, assuming the combined sound of engines and air blowers and ambient converation covers the sound. I've never seen anyone staring at me with a "Was that you?" look.

Sounds like you could use one of these ;)

http://www.under-tec.com/dp_article.htm

It is not unusual for the desire to fart to go away after you stand up. So you are in the airplane lav and can't let it out there so you come back to your seat and then the desire to fart comes back. (If you sit down on the closed lav seat and wait a few minutes you will usualy succeed in getting the fart out.

Alternative: Bring along a bottle of perfume and rub a little of perfume on your fingers a minute before you decide to fart at your seat.

Travel tips:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/travel.htm

I am usually in J class and I let them ooze out silently like many others and let the airplane air recycler take care of the rest. It is an inevitable task. ;)

stress of flying experience adds to the whole mix. try chinese herbs -- never fly without them. hysterically funny but true thread.

It's the reduced cabin pressure that does it. In skydiving planes that get up to 14,000 feet umpresurised it is indeed a - er - very standard event. Though with the door open, a gale buffetting round inside, and the engine and propeller right outside the door, you don't notice so much !