Many people are a little nervous about boarding a plane. Even if you're not the type to have anxiety, just the stress of finding your way through the airport can be enough to disturb your stomach.
Motion sickness is another culprit of stomach problems on airplane flights. If this is you, try choosing a window seat near the front of the plane. You may also wish to chew gum or eat crackers to help steady your stomach.
Traveling long distances in a short period of time doesn't just affect your sleep schedule. Many times, the combination of jet lag and less-than-gourmet airplane meals is enough to induce gastrointestinal problems as well.
In 1995, the Department of Gastroenterology at Heinrich Heine University Hospital conducted a study on gastrointestinal problems on 190 airplane crew members. The crew reported a significantly higher rate of stomach problems than their coworkers who remained on the ground. However, the reason for these problems was unclear.