Ginger Ale was once an incredibly popular beverage for a number of reasons, from soothing an upset stomach to successfully mixing with alcohol. In contrast, today, the soda is one of the least popular, beat out by sweeter options like Mountain Dew or Coca-Cola. But passengers on planes are encouraged to give Ginger Ale a second thought while flying.
Ginger Ale was first created in Ireland and England in the 1840s before making its way to North America. The drink was so popular that it led to the founding of the iconic Canada Dry brand. A brand still selling beverages today. While they, and others, have created various flavors over the years, there were two original options—a dry, crisp flavor or golden and sweet. Interestingly, the drier option is the more popular profile. However, the sweeter Ginger Ale option might be more enjoyable during a flight.
While planes are designed to accommodate the altitude change, preventing any “physiological” harm to passengers, there are some things that can’t be controlled. Apparently, one of those things is our taste buds. It turns out that a pressurized cabin can also dull senses like taste and smell and has drier air. In fact, according to WHO, the air in a pressurized cabin is incredibly thin and dry. “About as thin and dry as it is on top of a mountain, around 6,000 to 8,000 feet above sea level.” Therefore, opting for a golden Ginger Ale can combat the loss of flavor leaving a dry and sharp flavor behind. Similarly, salty beverages like tomato juice can also leave behind a refreshing flavor and feeling.