Let Flatulence Fly In The Air

By Author: Steve Robinson
Total Articles: 467
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Often a great start to planning a trip is finding cheap fares such as cheap airplane tickets, cheap vacation packages, and discount travel packages. Once in the air though sometimes some passengers are faced with the decision whether to let their flatulence fly while others have to suffer the smell of gas from a seatmate.

Doctors recommend that passengers release intestinal gas or risk painful medical consequences. Holding back flatulence can result in discomfort, pain, bloating, dyspepsia, and pyrosis. Contained flatulence can contribute to diverticular disease, a condition where pouches develop in the wall of the colon.

When the altitude of a plane increases pressure decreases. Although cabins are pressurized to offset part of this pressure there is a limit to what can be done. A plane cruising at an altitude of 33,000 feet is the equivalent of standing 8,000 feet above sea level which creates a lot of pressure on intestines.

There is no graceful phrase or gesture that will completely smooth over releasing gas in a confined space where 50 percent of the air is recycled. “Excuse me” only goes ...
... so far and can draw unwanted attention to your problem.

There are conflicting recommendations as to how fliers should handle flatulence:

• Hold it until you can get up and release the gas in a restroom.

• If you can’t get to a bathroom in time because there is turbulence and the fasten seat belt is on, be as discreet as possible.

• Almost anything said beforehand can create embarrassment and make the situation worse. The smart move is to simply say nothing.

Airline actions that could help minimize this problem include installing seats embedded with active charcoal which can absorb intestinal gasses. Providing blankets with the odor absorbing compound sewn in could also help.

Yet another approach would be to subject passengers to methane breath screening and assign those with higher methane content seats in a restricted area of the plane near restrooms.

A different possible solution would be for fliers who are likely to have flatulence problems to wear rubber pants with air containers to collect passed gas. Alternatively select passengers could wear underwear lined with active charcoal.

Fliers prone to flatulence should take preventative measures (such as taking Beano) before boarding a plane.
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