Airsick means feeling nauseous and unwell while flying in an airplane. When someone gets airsick, their stomach feels queasy, they might feel dizzy, and they could even throw up. It's similar to feeling carsick or seasick, but it happens specifically during air travel.

Airsickness occurs because your body gets confused. Your inner ear (which helps you balance) senses the plane's movement, but your eyes might see the still cabin around you. This mismatch sends mixed signals to your brain, which can make you feel sick. Turbulence, when the plane bumps and bounces through rough air, can make airsickness worse.

Some people never get airsick, while others feel it on almost every flight. Many passengers find that looking out the window at the horizon, getting fresh air from the overhead vent, or focusing on a distant point helps settle their stomach. Airlines keep airsickness bags in the seat pockets just in case someone needs them.

The good news: most people who get airsick feel better the moment the plane lands. And like carsickness, some travelers discover they become less airsick as they fly more and their bodies adjust to the sensation.