May 12, 2026, 12:53 pm | Read time: 3 minutes
Very few people would cancel a pre-booked flight due to a cold. However, there are indeed cases where it would be better to do so. In case of doubt, health consequences may arise. Here’s what to consider if you plan to board a plane with a runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, and body aches.
Flying with a cold or runny nose can be extremely painful. If the mucous membranes are swollen, there may be problems with pressure equalization–resulting in very severe ear pain. “The key during a flight is whether the pressure equalization in the ear works,” says Michael Deeg from the German Association of Ear, Nose, and Throat Physicians. Affected individuals can check this with a simple test: “Pinch your nose and blow air into it. If your ears pop, the pressure equalization is successful, and you can fly,” explains Deeg.
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Flying with a cold risks permanent ear damage
If pressure equalization fails, he strongly advises against flying. There’s a risk of developing what’s known as barotrauma, where small blood vessels in the ear can burst. “In the worst case, permanent damage to the inner ear can occur,” warns the ENT specialist.
The duration of the flight is not crucial. Generally, the plane remains at a constant altitude during the flight, so the pressure on the ears doesn’t change. The descent phase is the only dangerous part. “During landing, the cabin pressure increases–and so does the pressure on the ears,” explains Deeg. The strain may be higher on long-haul flights if there are stopovers and thus multiple landings.
What to do if you have to fly?
If patients must fly despite swollen mucous membranes, an ENT doctor can insert a tympanostomy tube on an outpatient basis in extreme cases. “The doctor makes a small incision in the eardrum, leading to continuous ventilation in the ear,” says Deeg.
Otherwise, the specialist advises: “During the flight, drink plenty of fluids.” For a cold, a decongestant nasal spray can also help. Patients should use the spray about an hour before landing to ensure it takes effect in time and the mucous membranes decongest before descent.
If you still experience severe ear pain after a flight, you should see a doctor. This is especially true if the pain doesn’t subside after two days. “Even if you have difficulty hearing after the flight, the specialist should conduct a hearing test,” says Deeg.