What is the best method to prevent problems with the ears and sinuses during flight?

Preventing issues with the ears and sinuses during flight is crucial for a comfortable flying experience, and avoiding flight when experiencing a cold is particularly effective because congestion can block the Eustachian tubes. When the Eustachian tubes are obstructed, they are unable to equalize the pressure in the middle ear as the aircraft ascends or descends, which can lead to pain, discomfort, and even injury in more severe cases.

By choosing not to fly when you have a cold, you minimize the risk of these complications. During a cold, inflammation and mucus can accumulate, significantly increasing the likelihood that the tubes will become blocked. This proactive measure ensures that your ears can adequately adjust to pressure changes throughout the flight, promoting proper ear health and comfort.

While other methods like flying at lower altitudes or using earplugs may provide some benefit, they do not address the root cause of the problem effectively as avoiding flying with a cold does. Keeping the mouth closed during ascent is also helpful for pressure management but not as decisive in preventing congestion-related issues compared to avoiding flight altogether during illness.