Dizzy on the Plane? My Experience and How I Manage Flight Dizziness

Waking up dizzy in the middle of a flight can be scary, especially when the dizziness lasts for days after landing. I’ve experienced this more than once, and it made me realize how common flight dizziness and travel anxiety can be. In this post, I share my personal experience, possible reasons why dizziness happens on planes, and simple ways I manage it before, during, and after flying.

Since I know I’m not the only one who feels this way, I want to share what I learned, plus some practical tips to lessen the dizziness (and even the anxiety) that comes with it.

Here are some common reasons:
   •Cabin Pressure Changes – Our inner ear is sensitive to shifts in air pressure, and that affects balance.

   •Dry Cabin Air – Flights are dehydrating, and dehydration = lightheadedness. 

   •Long Hours of Sitting – Poor circulation can make you feel faint when you wake up.

   •Motion Sensitivity – Turbulence and vibration mess with your equilibrium.

   •Jet Lag + Lack of Sleep – Our body becomes extra sensitive when tired.

Knowing these triggers helps us prepare better. 

Dizzy on the Plane? My Experience and How I Manage Flight Dizziness

Here are some things I now do before, during, and after the flight.

Before the Flight:
✅ Drink more water than usual. Hydrate.
✅ Pick a seat near the wings (less movement).
✅ Pack small “comfort helpers” earplugs, or saline spray.

During the Flight
✅ Move or stretch every 2–3 hours.
✅ Eat light—avoid greasy, heavy meals that can worsen nausea.
✅ Practice slow breathing or listen to calming music when anxiety creeps in.
✅ Use a neck pillow so my head doesn’t flop when I suddenly wake up.

Traveling is already stressful enough—let’s not allow dizziness and anxiety to steal the joy of the journey. ✈️

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Aer Lingus Review: Affordable, But Why Did I Feel Dizzy After Landing?

ABBEY: For our trip between the UK and Ireland, we chose Aer Lingus, Ireland’s national airline. The flight itself was quick and efficient—just a little over an hour, making it one of the fastest ways to travel between the two countries.

We flew on an ATR 72, a twin-engine turboprop aircraft that’s commonly used for short regional routes. At first glance, I’ll admit I had my doubts—the plane looked smaller than I expected, and I wasn’t sure how it would handle the journey across the Irish Sea. But once we boarded (from the rear of the aircraft, which was a unique experience!), we quickly settled into our seats.

Since the flight was short, there were no in-flight snacks or entertainment, which was totally fine. It was a simple sit-sleep-fly-land kind of trip—straightforward and stress-free. In no time, we touched down in Ireland, ready to explore!

And just like that, Aer Lingus got us safely and smoothly from the UK to Ireland—and back again. 

Aer Lingus small aircraft with visible propeller during boarding from Edinburg to Dublin

WILL:  If you’re choosing between budget airlines in Europe, Aer Lingus often comes up as a step above Ryanair. That’s exactly why we booked it — hoping for a more stable and slightly more premium experience. The airline is operated by the same parent company as British Airways, and based on our research, delays were said to be less intense than Ryanair’s.

So, did Aer Lingus live up to the expectations?
True enough — we had a delay. Just a classic budget airline kind of delay, no drama. But the real surprise? The aircraft!
It was a cute little plane with 2-2 seating. Abbey immediately noticed something odd — the propeller was visible, not your typical enclosed type. He’s not a fan of that setup (understandable!), but hey, we were off to Dublin, so we just rolled with it.

Flight was short and thankfully smooth. 
The return flight to London Heathrow was on a bigger aircraft. We were excited — a bit more legroom, a more solid-looking plane. I even managed to sneak in a nap.

But somewhere during descent… whoa.

I woke up with a weird kind of headache. At first, I thought it was just a quick air pocket, but then came the dizziness. The kind that makes your head feel light and floaty — not in a good way. 😵‍💫
Sadly, it didn’t fade right away. The sensation lingered through our layover and into the long-haul flight back to Singapore.

If you’re someone who’s prone to motion sickness or vertigo, take note: descending on certain flights might stir things up a bit.
It’s affordable, and if you’re flying short-haul around Europe, it does the job. Just manage expectations, bring motion sickness remedies (or your favorite peppermint oil!), and you’ll probably be just fine.
Each flight is different. Sometimes smooth, sometimes… spinny. 😅
Try it yourself — and let me know if you also feel like you’re floating after landing. Haha!

***

Aer Lingus

(W) https://www.aerlingus.com/html/en-IE/home.html

SAVE MONEY ON YOUR TRAVEL HERE!!!

Expedia Booking.com, Hostelworld: Your one-stop-shop for hotel and hostel bookings. Find your perfect home away from home with Expedia's extensive listings.

KKDAY: Not Just for Attractions. KKDAY offers excellent options for accommodations. Explore and book with confidence.

GetYourGuide: Don't just visit your destination — experience it. Book your activities with GetYourGuide!