Why You Should Always Order Ginger Ale on a Flight

[brooklynite]

Travel & Leisure

It's been proven time and again that our taste buds act a little differently when we fly. This is because the drier air and cabin pressure can dull our sense of taste and smell, making certain food and drink taste a bit different than they do on the ground. The air inside an aircraft cabin is about as thin and dry as it is on top of a mountain peak that's about 6,000 to 8,000 feet above sea level, according to the World Health Organization.

Because of this, tastes like sweetness and saltiness are impacted the most, according to nutritionist Lauren Grosskopf, MS, LDN, who spoke to Travel + Leisure. The saltiness of drinks like the bloody mary or plain tomato juice can actually seem a bit dull, leaving a fresher and sweeter taste behind. So, bloody mary's often taste better in the air, providing a sweet and spicy taste that gives humans more satiety (a feeling of satisfaction).

When it comes to ginger ale, the drier varieties (as opposed to sweeter, golden ales) are often more popular among the masses. When you're in a plane, a ginger ale's extra sweetness may not register on your taste buds, making your ginger drink extra-dry and sharp. Refreshing.

[Emile]

1. Today wasn't a total waste, I just learned something! Thanks

I wonder what a good blunt tastes like in the air. .

[brooklynite]

8. In the same vein, on international flights, order an Indian/Hindu special meal.

[WA-03 Democrat]

9. Yes!

If you are in the back of the bus (coach) you get your food first and beat the bathroom rush. The food is better and normally pasta with some sauce. It is a great tip and highly recommended!

[Grasswire2]

2. I prefer unsweetened seltzer, with an ounce of POM or sour cherry juice.

Heart healthy (anti-oxident) and delicious.

[multigraincracker]

3. Canada Dry and Vernors?

[drmeow]

4. Interesting

I almost always get ginger ale when I fly!

[AwakeAtLast]

5. I love Ginger Ale!

Especially the cranberry flavored around the holidays!

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

6. So it's best to stick with Bloody Marys, right?

At least that's what I get from this.

Makes me want to take an airplane ride somewhere, just to order a Bloody Mary.

[bahboo]

7. well...I took this to drink more bloody marys....

I do enjoy one on a morning flight...then wake up about a half hour before landing...

[electric_blue68]

10. I've so flown one international flight NY to Geneva (and return)...

Swiss Air.

Interesting.
I didn't notice a difference in meal taste. And they were tasty meals. Who knows - but I was a bit nervous doing my first long flight, plus first flight in ?15 years. I was also very excited going to visit my relatives there (who'd retired to a little village), and first trip to Europe. So while wanting a decent meal - there were other things on my mind.

I really like ginger ale now. When a kid I was a picky eater, and drinker. Didn't like it then. One day if I find it (not seen in a while) Dr Pepper - tried as a kid and I hated it.
With all the different cuisines I enjoy now - while I'm not sure I'd like it I wouldn't be 😂 repelled by it as I was ?60 yes ago!

One day in my early-mid twenties after 1) having eaten authentic Chinese meals with Chinese friends, 2) learning to cook Chinese in the ?late '70s going to Chinatown and all to by items you couldn't get hardly elsewhere back then.

Chopping ginger amongst other ingredients like shitake mushrooms which were unusual outside of Chinatown then - I realized well I'm using ginger, I should try ginger ale. Really like it, though my favorite is still regular Coke.