What are the other Names for this Condition? (Also known as/Synonyms)

• Headache Attributed to Aeroplane Travel
• Headache due to Aeroplane Travel
• Headache due to Airplane Travel

What is Headache Attributed to Airplane Travel? (Definition/Background Information)

• Headache Attributed to Airplane Travel is a headache disorder that occurs secondary to airplane travel. The condition improves and spontaneously clears on landing of the plane. However, while landing, it is reported that over 90% of the passengers’ experience the headaches
• The headache typically involves one side of the head, usually around the eye, and is caused by and present during the flight travel; also, there are no autonomic symptoms noted
• Individuals may experience a stabbing or throbbing head pain, which may move to involve other parts of the head too. According to research, the pain may be due to imbalances between the external air pressure and the pressure within one’s sinuses
• In 1 in 3 individuals, other associated symptoms, such as tearing from one eye and restlessness, may be present. Rarely, in 1 in 20 individuals, increased sensitivity to light and/or sound, nausea, and other parasympathetic symptoms may be observed
• The headache may be a “new” headache, or the exacerbation of a pre-existing headache may take place, which then becomes chronic. Similarly, a progression of the disorder in the absence of adequate treatment can worsen the headache. The headache is known to improve and regress on undertaking suitable management of the underlying disorder

The criteria for diagnosis of Headache Attributed to Airplane Travel as outlined by the International Headache Society (IHS) is given below:

• The patient is travelling by airplane/aeroplane
• At least two episodes of headache fulfilling the criterion below

Evidence of causation demonstrated by at least two of the following:

• Headache has developed during the airplane flight
• Either or both of the following:
  • Headache has worsened in temporal relation to ascent following take-off and/or descent prior to landing of the airplane
  • Headache has spontaneously improved within 30 minutes after the ascent or descent of the airplane is completed
• Headache is severe, with at least two of the following three characteristics:
  • Unilateral location
  • Orbitofrontal location
  • Jabbing or stabbing quality

Not better accounted for by another ICHD-3 diagnosis.

(Source: International Headache Society Classification ICHD-3, London, United Kingdom)

Differential diagnosis: It is important to exclude sinusitis or other sinus disorders prior to establishing a diagnosis of Headache Attributed to Airplane Travel.