Smells are an important part of our lives, affecting our emotional state, memory, and perception of the world around us. However, in an airplane, scents are perceived differently than on the ground. Why is this? The answer to this question lies in the way our sense of smell works, as well as in the impact of specific conditions such as pressure, humidity, noise, and temperature changes. In this article, we will look at why scents in the air on an airplane seem less vivid and how factors affecting our senses change the perception of scents on board.

Peculiarities of the human sense of smell

Our senses are adapted to life on the ground, where air pressure and humidity are stable. Our sense of smell works effectively under normal conditions, and we can recognize odors in a variety of situations. However, at an altitude of 10,000 meters, the situation changes. The rapid decrease in pressure, dry air, and high aircraft speeds change the perception of odors.

In such conditions, the olfactory receptors that react to aroma molecules begin to work less efficiently. Moreover, at an altitude of 8-12 kilometers, the pressure in the cabin differs significantly from what we are used to feeling on the ground, and this affects the ability to smell.

Dry air in the cabin

The air inside an airplane cabin is extremely dry, due to the need to maintain a certain level of oxygen and pressure in the cabin. This condition can cause a feeling of dryness in the nose and throat, which impairs the perception of smells. Our nasal passages become less sensitive to aromas, which affects the overall perception picture.

In addition, the constant circulation of air in the aircraft cabin helps to quickly remove odors, which also prevents us from fully perceiving them.

How does altitude affect odor perception?

Altitude has a direct impact on the functioning of the senses. At high altitudes, not only do the physical parameters of the air change, but our body also adapts to new conditions. Breathing problems, pressure, and oxygen saturation of the body can affect the perception of smells. Let’s look at the key factors:

●     Pressure : As pressure changes, the sensitivity of the sense of smell decreases, making odors less pronounced.

●     Temperature : Airplanes are usually cool, and low temperatures can reduce the activity of your olfactory receptors.

●     Low oxygen levels : May reduce overall perception of external stimuli, including odors.

These factors combine to make the aromas we are accustomed to smelling on the ground seem less pronounced in the air on an airplane.

The influence of the noise atmosphere

Noise in the cabin also affects the perception of smells. The roar of the engines and the constant background noise put additional stress on the nervous system, which can affect olfactory perception. In the presence of noise, it is difficult to fully concentrate on the perception of smell, and this can distort our perception of aromas.

Noise activates auditory receptors, and the body begins to “filter” incoming signals to focus on more important sensations for survival. As a result, odors become less noticeable.

Adaptation of the body to flight conditions

During a long flight, our body experiences stress due to changes in the environment, lack of oxygen, temperature and pressure changes. This leads to the perception of smells deteriorating. The body adapts to new conditions, and many functions of the senses are temporarily reduced.

Additionally, the stress of flying can also reduce your ability to smell, which explains why passengers on a plane may not notice the aromas of food or drinks that they would normally notice on the ground.

Emotional background and psychological factors

The perception of smells also depends on our psycho-emotional state. In flight conditions, stress, anxiety or even just boredom can affect the ability to distinguish smells. Psychological perception plays an important role in how we perceive aromas in the air.

The perception of smells can be influenced by factors such as:

●     Fear : Many passengers feel discomfort and anxiety before flying.

●     Boredom : Long flights can cause feelings of fatigue and decreased sensitivity.

●     Food enjoyment : The perception of food aromas may be related to how pleasant a person feels while sitting at a table.

Such factors can change our perception of odors, turning them from pleasant to neutral or even unpleasant.

How to change the perception of smells on board?

While it is difficult to eliminate all of these factors from your odor perception, there are a few steps you can take to improve your comfort and odor perception on an airplane. The following are some recommendations:

●     Use humidifiers in the cabin to reduce dry air.

●     Selecting quality foods and drinks with strong flavors to compensate for decreased sensitivity.

●     The use of essential oils or fragrances that can stimulate the sense of smell and enhance the comfort of the cabin.

You can also pay attention to your personal psycho-emotional state – relax, avoid stress and anxiety, which will help improve the perception of smells.

Smells are perceived differently in different conditions, and flying is a unique situation where many factors influence our perceptions. Decreased pressure, dry air, noise, and stress factors make the sense of smell less sensitive. Understanding these processes can help passengers and airlines create more comfortable travel conditions, as well as influence the choice of fragrances and products that will be better perceived in the air.

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