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why you should always order ginger ale on a flight

Ordering ginger ale on a flight has become a kind of unofficial travel hack: it often tastes better in the air, can feel soothing if you’re queasy or anxious, and is easier for crew to serve than fizzier sodas. It has also turned into a small ritual that many travelers associate with “vacation mode,” which is why you see it pop up so much in forums and social posts about flying.

Why it tastes better up there

At cruising altitude, the dry cabin air and lower pressure dull the ability to taste sweetness and salt by roughly a third, which makes many drinks seem flat or oddly bland. Ginger ale, however, comes across as sharper and more refreshing because its spicy, crisp notes stay noticeable while the sweetness is muted.

  • The pressurized cabin reduces smell and taste sensitivity, so bold flavors tend to win.
  • Ginger ale’s bite cuts through that dullness more than typical colas or lemon-lime sodas.
  • Tomato juice is another example of a drink many people like only on planes for similar sensory reasons.

Stomach and nerves: how much it really helps

Ginger itself has a long reputation for easing nausea and motion sickness, which is why travelers often reach for ginger-based drinks or candies when turbulence hits. But not every can of ginger ale has enough real ginger to offer a true medicinal effect, so a lot of the comfort is part tradition, part placebo.

  • Some brands use ginger essence or flavoring plus plenty of sugar, not much actual ginger root.
  • If you’re very prone to motion sickness, carbonation and sugar can sometimes make symptoms worse, especially on an empty stomach.
  • Ginger candies, teas, or drinks explicitly made with higher ginger content can be a better option if you rely on ginger for relief.

Practical perks at 30,000 feet

From the crew’s perspective, ginger ale is simply easier to deal with than some other popular sodas, especially high-fizz ones like diet colas.

  • Lower fizz means it pours faster and with less foaming, so service goes more smoothly in the narrow aisle.
  • It pairs well as a mixer with common spirits, which also keeps it well-stocked on many drink carts.
  • Because so many passengers see it as a “plane drink,” airlines often load a generous supply on board.

The cultural “plane drink” effect

Over time, ginger ale has picked up an almost mythic status online as the in-flight beverage, reinforced by travel columns, YouTube explainers, and casual posts from frequent flyers.

  • Some travelers say they only drink ginger ale when they fly, so it becomes tied to vacation and special trips.
  • Articles and videos highlight ginger ale as a comforting ritual for anxious fliers, which encourages others to copy the habit.
  • The idea that “airplane ginger ale is just better” keeps circulating in science-and-travel pieces, giving the trend a semi-scientific glow.

When you might not want it

Even with its cult status, ginger ale is not automatically the best choice for everyone on every flight.

  • If you have blood sugar concerns, remember most ginger ales are sugary soft drinks, not health tonics.
  • For very sensitive stomachs, still water or herbal tea can be gentler than any carbonated drink.
  • If you actually rely on ginger for motion sickness, consider supplements or clearly labeled high-ginger products rather than assuming all ginger ale will help.

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Wondering why you should always order ginger ale on a flight? Learn how cabin pressure changes its taste, why it feels good on a queasy stomach, and how it became the internet’s favorite “plane drink.”

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