Roberta Aguirre
Airports are polarising places. Some people love them, and some people hate them. For some, the airport scent—coffee, newspapers, fuel exhaust, and cleaning agents—screams excitement. For others, airports trigger sadness, an uncontrollable switch. They are places of transition, where people are consumed by where they've come from or where they're going. Airports are also places of sonder, the realisation that each random passerby is living a life as vivid and complex as your own. They are places of communal loneliness, where people are moving with purpose, yet disconnected from their normal lives and connected to a new community of travellers.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Smell | Coffee, newspapers, fuel exhaust, cleaning agents, diesel, saltwater, fart, body odour |
| Sounds | Gate announcements, conversations, laughter, aircraft rumble |
| People | Travellers, liminal beings, people with vivid and complex lives |
| Feeling | Excitement, nervousness, sadness, transition, being stuck out of time, communal loneliness |
| Appearance | Linoleum floors, photochromic windows, retractable barriers, outdated |
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What You'll Learn
The unique scent of airports
Airports are fascinating places, with their unique atmosphere and vibe. They are spaces of transition, where people from all walks of life come together, each with their own stories and destinations. The feeling of being in an airport is often described as "sonder", the realisation that every passerby has a life as intricate and multi-dimensional as one's own. It is a place where people from different backgrounds coexist in a shared state of anticipation and nervousness, creating a sense of communal loneliness.
One distinctive aspect of airports is their distinct scent. The airport scent is a unique blend of aromas that evoke a range of emotions and experiences. It is a combination of fresh coffee, newspaper ink, the faint hint of fuel exhaust, and cleaning agents. This fusion of smells creates a sense of excitement and adventure for travellers. The aroma of coffee and newspapers suggests a leisurely pace, while the faint aroma of fuel and exhaust adds a touch of adrenaline and the promise of new destinations.
The airport scent is not just limited to the indoors. As you step outside, the cold breeze brings a mix of diesel and saltwater-saturated air, especially near the air traffic control tower. The scent of the ocean and the sound of aircraft rumbling in the background create a multi-sensory experience. The airport thus becomes a place of anticipation and excitement, where the scent of adventure mixes with the unique blend of airport air.
While the indoor scent of coffee and newspapers may be comforting, the outdoor scent can be equally captivating. The fresh air, mixed with a hint of jet fuel and the smell of the tarmac, creates a unique aroma that is hard to replicate. It is a scent that speaks of travel and exploration, of taking off to new destinations and returning home. It evokes a sense of freedom and the excitement of new experiences.
The airport scent is more than just a combination of smells; it is a symbol of the airport experience. It captures the anticipation of travel, the mix of emotions felt by travellers, and the unique sense of community found in these transit spaces. It is a reminder that, amidst the stress and rush of modern life, there is still adventure and excitement to be found in the journey to new places and the exploration of different cultures. So, the next time you find yourself in an airport, take a moment to breathe in the unique scent and embrace the adventure that awaits!
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Feelings of excitement and nervousness
Airports evoke a range of emotions, from excitement and nervousness to sadness and nostalgia. For some, the airport experience is thrilling, as they anticipate the adventure that awaits them at their destination. The unique atmosphere, with its diverse travellers, each on their own journey, creates a sense of "sonder", a realisation that everyone has their own intricate life story. This feeling of being part of a community of travellers, even if momentarily, can be exhilarating. The airport buzz, with its background noises, announcements, and laughter, adds to the excitement.
However, the excitement can also be tinged with nervousness. The airport often serves as a reminder of potential forgetfulness or inadequate preparation for the trip. The security checks, while necessary, can contribute to this feeling of anxiety. The sense of being disconnected from your normal life and entering a transitional phase can be both thrilling and unnerving.
The airport experience can also trigger feelings of sadness and nostalgia. The sight of families bidding farewell to loved ones leaving for extended periods can evoke emotions, especially for those who relate it to their personal experiences. Airports can be a place of reflection, reminding individuals of past travels, relationships, and life events. The feeling of being “out of time”, with outdated decor and manual processes, can further intensify these emotions.
The anticipation of returning home can also bring about a mix of excitement and relief. The familiar sights and sounds of the arrival hall, the embrace of a loved one, and the journey back to the comfort of home can evoke a sense of warmth and optimism.
Overall, the airport air carries a unique blend of emotions, with excitement and nervousness being key components of the airport experience. The anticipation of adventure, the sense of community, and the feeling of transition all contribute to the complex feelings that arise in this dynamic environment.
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The sense of communal loneliness
The airport is often associated with goodbyes and hellos, departures and arrivals, and the emotions that come with them. It is a place where people from different backgrounds converge, each with their own stories, hopes, and dreams. The very air in an airport seems to carry the weight of these emotions, creating an atmosphere that is both heavy and electrifying.
The physical environment of an airport also contributes to this sense of communal loneliness. The vast spaces, the hum of the air conditioning, the buzz of announcements, and the whirring of suitcases being rolled across the floors all create a unique soundscape that sets the tone for the transient nature of air travel. The artificial lighting, the recycled air, and the array of shops and restaurants all add to the feeling of being in a place that is somehow both familiar and foreign.
In an airport, people often find themselves sharing a moment of vulnerability. The process of passing through security, with its rituals of removing shoes and belts, taking out laptops, and surrendering liquids, creates a sense of collective exposure. It is as if, in that moment, we are all shedding our everyday selves and stepping into a new, unknown chapter of our lives.
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The feeling of being disconnected from normal life
Airports are often depicted as places of transition, evoking a sense of detachment from everyday life. The unique atmosphere of airports, with their distinct sights, sounds, and smells, can trigger a range of emotions and experiences.
One prominent feeling associated with airports is a sense of disconnection from normal life. As you step into an airport, you enter a world where everyone is on a journey, either embarking on an adventure or returning home. The airport becomes a temporary community of travellers, each with their own vivid stories and complex lives. It's as if you've left your regular routine behind and entered a limbo state, a pause between your past and future, where you're disconnected from your usual self and immersed in a collective experience of anticipation, excitement, or even nostalgia.
The physical environment of airports also contributes to this feeling of disconnection. The sterile lighting, recycled air, and unique blend of scents, from coffee to jet fuel, create a sense of artificiality. The outdated decor, with their linoleum floors and retractable barriers, can make airports feel like they exist outside of time, further enhancing the sense of detachment from the outside world.
The airport experience is a mix of emotions, with excitement and nervousness coexisting. The background noises, from gate announcements to the distant rumble of aircraft, add to the overall atmosphere. The sense of communal loneliness is palpable, as people are consumed by thoughts of their departure or the anticipation of reuniting with loved ones.
For some, airports can trigger sadness and nostalgia. The sight of families bidding farewell to a departing parent, the crying children, and the lonely travellers can evoke memories of personal experiences, both joyful and sorrowful. Airports become a place where people from all walks of life intersect, creating a sense of equality and shared humanity, if only for a brief moment.
Despite the varied emotions, many find solace in the airport experience. It offers a break from the mundane, a chance to reflect, and an opportunity to connect with strangers going through similar emotions. The feeling of being in an airport is complex and deeply personal, often leaving a lasting impression.
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Cabin pressure changes and ear barotrauma
Cabin pressure changes during a flight can cause ear barotrauma, commonly known as "airplane ear". It occurs when there is an imbalance in the air pressure in the middle ear and the air pressure in the environment. This pressure imbalance can damage the eardrum and cause hearing loss. The middle ear is an air-filled space between the inner and outer parts of the ear. It contains three small bones that help transmit sound. The eustachian tube, a narrow passage, regulates air pressure in the ear and usually maintains equal air pressure on both sides of the eardrum.
When an aircraft climbs or descends, the air pressure changes rapidly, and the eustachian tube may not react quickly enough, leading to a pressure imbalance. This can also happen when riding an elevator in a tall building or driving in the mountains. Any condition that blocks or limits the function of the eustachian tube can increase the risk of airplane ear, including a small eustachian tube, especially in infants and toddlers. Additionally, congestion from a cold or allergies can block or inflame the eustachian tube, making it harder to manage air pressure changes.
Symptoms of ear barotrauma include a feeling of clogged or blocked ears, trouble hearing, severe ear pain, and, in rare cases, fluid oozing from the ear, indicating a ruptured eardrum. It is important to note that severe or prolonged cases of airplane ear can lead to long-term complications, including damage to middle or inner ear structures.
To prevent and manage ear barotrauma, several self-care techniques can be used to equalize the pressure in the ears:
- Yawning and swallowing during ascent and descent.
- Chewing gum during the flight, especially during takeoff and before descent.
- Blowing one's nose gently into a tissue to alleviate pressure.
- Performing the Valsalva maneuver: blowing air through the nose while closing the mouth and pinching the nose.
- Using filtered earplugs to slowly equalize pressure during ascents and descents.
- Encouraging babies and toddlers to drink fluids during takeoff and landing to ensure they swallow and avoid ear barotrauma.
- Using over-the-counter nasal sprays about 30 minutes to an hour before takeoff and landing to help with nasal congestion.
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Frequently asked questions
The air in an airport is typically described as "recycled" or "recirculated". It can be accompanied by the scent of fuel exhaust, cleaning agents, coffee, and newspapers, which some people find exciting. However, others may associate it with negative emotions like sadness or anxiety due to personal experiences or the stress of travelling.
The change in cabin pressure during takeoff and landing can lead to "airplane ear". This occurs when there is an imbalance in the air pressure in your middle ear and the environmental air pressure. It can usually be alleviated through self-care techniques such as yawning, swallowing, or chewing gum.
To prevent discomfort or reduce the severity of "airplane ear", you can try filtered earplugs, which slowly equalize the pressure against your eardrum. Additionally, staying awake during takeoff and landing allows you to actively relieve pressure by yawning or swallowing. It is also recommended to avoid sleeping during these periods.
