Revealed: The songs to avoid listening to on a flight - or risk tearing up
Flying during the festive season can turn even the most cheerful travellers into emotional wrecks. A mix of high altitude, sentimental songs and nostalgic films often leads to unexpected tears—a phenomenon now dubbed the 'Mile Cry'.
Research shows that low cabin pressure reduces oxygen to the brain, making emotions feel stronger and even happy tunes overwhelming. With this in mind, experts have listed the top festive songs and films most likely to trigger mid-flight waterworks.
The song most likely to cause a Mile Cry is Fairytale of New York by The Pogues and Kirsty MacColl. Its raw, bittersweet lyrics about love and struggle hit harder at 30,000 feet. Last Christmas by Wham! takes second place, with its heartbreak-filled chorus proving too much for many passengers.
*Do They Know It’s Christmas?* by Band Aid ranks third, its charitable message and emotional weight amplifying sadness in the skies. John Lennon and Yoko Ono’s *Happy Xmas (War Is Over)* follows in fourth, its themes of peace and loss striking deeper at altitude. Rounding out the top five is *Driving Home for Christmas* by Chris Rea, a song that stirs memories of family and home. Other tear-jerking tracks include *All I Want for Christmas Is You* by Mariah Carey, *Christmas Lights* by Coldplay, and *Blue Christmas* by Elvis Presley. Even newer hits like *Merry Christmas* by Ed Sheeran and Elton John (with 310 million streams) or German classics such as *Stille Nacht* and *O du fröhliche* can bring on unexpected sobs. Films like *It’s a Wonderful Life*, *Love Actually*, and *The Polar Express* also make the risky list. To avoid a Mile Cry, travellers are advised to pick upbeat playlists or switch to podcasts. The right preparation could mean the difference between a merry flight and an emotional meltdown.
The combination of cabin pressure and sentimental holiday media makes flying a risky time for tears. Songs with deep emotional ties—whether nostalgic, sorrowful, or hopeful—are the main culprits.
Avoiding the most triggering tracks and films might help passengers keep their composure. But for those who still feel the urge to cry, at least they’re not alone in the skies.
