A sound expert says switching on Active Noise Cancellation before take-off can reduce cabin noise and help travellers feel calmer during turbulence.
For many travellers, turbulence remains one of the most uncomfortable aspects of flying. Combine the bumps of rough air with the constant roar of jet engines and cabin noise, and even a short flight can quickly feel stressful.
However, according to audio specialist James Grifo, there is a simple adjustment that can significantly improve the inflight experience: switching on Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) on your headphones before the aircraft even leaves the gate.
Grifo, CEO of Audio Visual Nation, says many travellers underestimate how strongly sound affects the body’s perception of turbulence and motion.
“Most people think of noise cancellation purely as a way to enjoy music or podcasts,” he explains. “But in an aircraft environment it can help reduce the sensory overload that often makes turbulence feel worse than it actually is.”
ANC technology works by using microphones within headphones to detect surrounding noise and generate opposing sound waves that cancel it out. The result is a significantly quieter environment, even inside the typically loud cabin of a commercial aircraft.
During turbulence, engine noise often fluctuates as aircraft systems adjust power, adding another layer of sensory input for the brain to process. At the same time, the body’s balance system in the inner ear is responding to movement that the eyes may not fully perceive. This mismatch between visual, auditory and balance signals is a major factor behind the queasy sensation many passengers experience in rough air.
Reducing cabin noise can therefore help stabilise the brain’s interpretation of those signals. By limiting the auditory stimulus, ANC allows the body’s vestibular system, responsible for balance, to focus on processing movement without additional distraction.
Grifo says the key is to activate noise cancellation before the flight begins, rather than waiting until turbulence occurs. Starting the journey in a calmer acoustic environment helps the nervous system remain more relaxed as the aircraft climbs and encounters changing air conditions.
He also recommends pairing ANC with gentle audio such as ambient music, nature sounds or a low-key podcast, keeping the volume moderate rather than attempting to drown out external noise entirely.
While ANC headphones are widely used for comfort and entertainment during flights, Grifo believes their benefits extend much further. “When you remove that constant wall of engine noise, your body simply reacts less strongly to turbulence,” he says. “You’re still aware of the movement, but it feels far less unsettling.”
For travellers who regularly experience inflight anxiety, the effect can be surprisingly powerful. A quieter cabin environment reduces sensory overload and creates a greater sense of calm and control, helping passengers ride out bumps in the air far more comfortably.
With winter weather often bringing more turbulent flying conditions, switching on noise cancellation may be one of the simplest ways to make the journey smoother, without changing seats, schedules or flight routes.