Whether you’re headed to paradise for a vacation or jetting off for business, many passengers find themselves battling a different kind of turbulence when their guts revolt in midair, leaving them bloated, cramping, and desperate for solid ground. This phenomenon is known as “jet belly.” At sea level, gravity pulls air molecules tight to earth, keeping the atmosphere dense. However, as you climb higher, the air thins out and pressure drops. Even though airplane cabins are pressurized, they don’t fully match sea level, so your intestines inflate a little. That means gases trapped in the gut expand, almost like a sealed snack bag puffing up mid-flight. A military study found that the abdominal gas in 18 men — who agreed not to fart during a simulated flight — more than quadrupled as the altitude climbed from ground level to nearly 30,000 feet. For some, the experience was mildly uncomfortable, but for others it was downright painful. So, the obvious question is: Can you deflate jet belly from your seat? Simple, in-seat movements can make a big difference, and that’s where the “jet belly release” comes in. To do it, place your hand about 2-3 inches below your belly button and press gently but firmly. Then, start massaging toward your right side in the direction of your right hip bone. Keep doing it to help “milk” the gas through the ileocecal valve — the little gateway between the small intestine and the colon. Once air moves into the colon, which has much more capacity, it can be released more easily. That, of course, means a discreet mid-flight toot. If you’re still feeling bloated, do seat twists by gently rotating your torso side to side to help mobilize your intestines. Posture matters, too. By sitting up straight, you can prevent your abdominal cavity from getting compressed. Breathing slowly and deeply while exhaling through pursed lips can help stimulate the vagus nerve, relaxing the gut and improving digestion. If you’ve got gas, experts say it’s better to just let it go, since holding it in can bring on a whole laundry list of uncomfortable symptoms. However, if you want to keep your seat mates happy, try to make it to the bathroom before you break wind.
