Why you might cry at a movie on a flight

A closer look

If you suddenly find yourself weeping over a terribly rated rom-com on a tiny seatback screen, blame science. The lower oxygen levels in a pressurized cabin induce a mild state of hypoxia, which actively messes with your emotional regulation. Airlines basically trap you in a high-altitude vulnerability chamber where sheer boredom and a lack of oxygen turn grown adults into overly sensitive, emotionally volatile puddles.