Passenger well-being in airplanes

Auton Neurosci. 2006 Oct 30;129(1-2):80-5. doi: 10.1016/j.autneu.2006.07.018. Epub 2006 Sep 7.

Abstract

Passenger well-being is influenced by cabin environmental conditions which interact with individual passenger characteristics like age and health conditions. Cabin environment is composed of different aspects, some of which have a direct influence on gastrointestinal functions and may directly generate nausea, such as cabin pressure, oxygen saturation, and motion or vibration. For example, it has been shown that available cabin pressure during normal flight altitude can significantly inhibit gastric emptying and induce dyspepsia-like symptoms when associated with a fibre-rich meal. Other aspects of the cabin environment such as space and variability of seating, air quality, and noise, also have been shown to modulate (reduce or increase) discomfort and nausea during flights. Individual passenger characteristics and health status also have been demonstrated to increase vulnerability to adverse health outcomes and discomfort.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Air Pollution, Indoor / adverse effects*
  • Air Pressure
  • Aircraft*
  • Carbon Dioxide / analysis
  • Humans
  • Humidity / adverse effects
  • Motion Sickness / etiology*
  • Nausea / etiology
  • Noise, Transportation / adverse effects
  • Oxygen / blood
  • Travel*
  • Venous Thrombosis
  • Ventilation
  • Vomiting / etiology

Substances

  • Carbon Dioxide
  • Oxygen