What is a common trigger for airsickness during a flight?

A common trigger for airsickness during a flight is turbulence. When an aircraft encounters turbulence, it experiences sudden and unpredictable changes in altitude and direction. These movements can confuse the vestibular system located in the inner ear, which is responsible for maintaining balance and spatial orientation. The mismatch between what the eyes see (a stable environment inside the cabin) and what the inner ear senses (movement of the aircraft) can lead to feelings of nausea, dizziness, and ultimately airsickness.

While other factors, like loud noises or dim lighting, may contribute to discomfort, they do not directly impact the balance and equilibrium systems in the same way turbulence does. Temperature changes could also contribute to discomfort, but they are not a primary cause of airsickness, which is mainly related to motion and sensory conflicts experienced during turbulence.