Can flying cause vertigo?

Flying can cause barotrauma, a condition in which increased air pressure upon ascending, descending and landing causes ear pressure, ear pain and vertigo, explains Drugs.com. In most cases, symptoms are only present during the period in which the air pressure is altered.

Dizziness or vertigo caused by barotrauma occurs when the pressure between both middle ear spaces becomes imbalanced, according to American Hearing Research Foundation. The imbalanced pressure directly affects the end organs of the inner ears, leading to dizziness. The condition can affect the outer ear, middle ear and inner ear, with additional symptoms that include hearing loss, ear clogging and ringing of the ears.