‘Next-level rank’: Doctor Zac Turner unravels truly stinky mid-air mystery

It’s not just your imagination. Something truly weird and disgusting is going on during flights – and now we finally know why.

Welcome to Ask Doctor Zac, a weekly column from news.com.au. This week, Dr Zac Turner explores why it seems that people fart more on planes.

QUESTION: Hi Dr Zac, I just returned home from London after a 24-hour flight and I swear everyone around me was doing really stinky silent farts that were next-level rank. Is it because Qantas food has really nose dived recently, or is there science behind people on planes farting more? And if that’s the case, is there anything that we can do that will lessen the smell of our farts when flying? I’ve heard that the worst smell in the world is when an aeroplane door opens after a long haul flight and honestly, I believe it. – Trevor, 27, Penrith, NSW

@tazandalessia Pray for us, we are 1 hour in on a 15 hour flight 🥲 @Alessia Allfree @Taz Zammit ❤️‍🔥 #travel #plane #funny #girlfriend ♬ original sound - Mrdoneit

ANSWER: I love getting questions like this because let’s face it, no one wants to talk about farts and poo, yet everyone’s secretly dying to know the answers.

Now, you’re not imagining things — you likely are farting more than usual on a plane, but don’t worry, you’re definitely not alone.

There is a simple explanation for why you’re “ghost gassing” into your seat mid-flight and it’s not just because you’re scarfing down beans before takeoff.

So fasten your seatbelt and prepare for takeoff, because we’re about to explore why you’re more likely to pass wind while airborne — and what’s really going on with your gut at 35,000 feet.

Dr Zac Turner has solved a major flight mystery. Picture: iStock

The science behind your inflated gut

All right, here’s the deal.

Aeroplanes don’t just leave you with a funny feeling in your stomach because of dodgy airline food. The real culprit is cabin pressure.

Picture your intestines as a balloon. When you’re at sea level, things are all hunky-dory. But as you climb to 35,000 feet, the air gets thinner and your balloon expands.

The lower air pressure at high altitudes means any gas trapped in your digestive system gets more room to spread out. That means you’re more likely to feel bloated and need to let one rip more often. It’s like your stomach is trying to take up more space in the universe.

The result? A bit of a (literal) blowout.

Aeroplanes don’t just leave you with a funny feeling in your stomach because of dodgy airline food. Picture: iStock

But why does this happen to you more than your travel buddy?

You’re not just farting more because the air’s thinner up there — some of us are simply built to pass wind more often than others.

So, why is that? Well, we all have different digestive systems, and things like your diet, gut health and even genetics play a huge role.

1. Food choices: If you’ve just indulged in a plate of beans, broccoli, or a nice creamy dessert, you’ve set the stage for a serious gas explosion.

If the chefs at Qantas are reading this – limit these ingredients in your meals.

Those high-fibre, high-sugar foods are notorious for causing trouble in the tummy department. They don’t get fully digested in the small intestine, so they make their way to the colon, where bacteria go to town and produce gas.

2. Gut microbiome drama: Everyone’s gut has its own little ecosystem of bacteria.

Some people have a nice balance of friendly gut bugs that help break down food without causing a ruckus.

Others? Well, let’s just say their microbiome is more like a bad reality TV show where the bacteria throw tantrums, creating excessive gas and making your intestines feel like they’re hosting a constant karaoke night.

3. Health conditions: If you’ve got things like IBS, coeliac disease or even lactose intolerance, your digestive system’s not as good at handling food, and that means more gas.

It can make a bad smell. Picture: iStock

Are you farting too much?

Here’s some homework for everyone reading this – I want you to count how many times in the next 24 hours you fart.

On average, we should be farting about 14-23 times a day. If you’re doing more than that, it could be a sign that your digestive system is throwing a tantrum.

I’ve had patients come to me who’ve counted up to 30 farts a day — and trust me, that’s excessive, even for a grown adult.

However, it’s not just about frequency; if you’re feeling bloated, uncomfortable or just constantly worried about your digestive symphony, it could mean something more serious is going on.

So, if you’re frequently uncomfortable, or you notice a major change in your farting patterns, it might be worth a chat with your doctor.

What about the smell?

Let’s talk about the real elephant in the room: the smell.

No one’s ever happy about the foul stench of a particularly pungent fart (unless you’ve somehow made it a sport).

But what if I told you that the smell of your farts might actually give you a clue about what’s going on in your gut?

Now, we all know that some foods — like eggs or broccoli — come with an extra “flavour” (read: stench). But if your farts start smelling like something’s really gone off, it could be a sign of a digestive issue.

For example, malabsorption issues like lactose intolerance or fructose intolerance can cause more smelly gas because your body’s not fully digesting certain foods.

Similarly, if your gut bacteria aren’t happy and balanced, you might be producing more sulphur-based gases, which can turn your farts into weaponised odour bombs.

Some foods — like eggs — come with a stench, but if your farts start smelling like something’s really gone off, it could be a sign of a digestive issue. Picture: iStock

How to keep the wind under control

There are actually some things you can do to reduce your flatulence, whether you’re airborne or grounded.

Watch what you eat: If you know certain foods get your gut going (looking at you, beans), try cutting back before a flight or a meeting.

You can also try smaller meals more often — it’s better for digestion and less likely to lead to a balloon-like belly.

Probiotics: Consider adding some probiotics to your diet.

These little gut-friendly bugs can help balance out the bacteria in your intestines, reducing bloating and gas.

Exercise: A good walk or some light stretching can help keep things moving through your digestive system.

Hydrate: Water is your friend. It helps keep things flowing in the digestive system and reduces bloating.

So, maybe skip the wine (sorry) and drink more water next time you’re in the sky.

No one likes to be that person who lets one rip on a plane, but trust me, it’s natural – and everyone is doing it, even the captain and the people seated in First Class.

Understanding why you’re farting more and how your body works in a pressurised environment is key to reducing any discomfort.

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Dr Zac Turner is a medical practitioner specialising in preventive health and wellness. He has four health/medical degrees – Bachelor of Medicine/Bachelor of Surgery at the University of Sydney, Bachelor of Nursing at Central Queensland University, and Bachelor of Biomedical Science at the University of the Sunshine Coast. He is a registrar for the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine, and is completing a PhD in Biomedical Engineering (UNSW). Dr Zac is the medical director for his own holistic wellness medical clinics throughout Australia, Concierge Doctors.

Originally published as ‘Next-level rank’: Doctor Zac Turner unravels truly stinky mid-air mystery