{"id":361737,"date":"2025-12-22T13:15:12","date_gmt":"2025-12-22T13:15:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/361737\/"},"modified":"2025-12-22T13:15:12","modified_gmt":"2025-12-22T13:15:12","slug":"revealed-the-songs-to-avoid-listening-to-on-a-flight-or-risk-tearing-up","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/361737\/","title":{"rendered":"Revealed: The songs to avoid listening to on a flight – or risk tearing up"},"content":{"rendered":"

By ERIN DEBORAH WAKS, TRAVEL WRITER<\/a> <\/p>\n

Published: 20:58 EST, 21 December 2025 | Updated: 20:58 EST, 21 December 2025 <\/p>\n

Christmas<\/a> tunes are a perfect soundtrack to accompany your journey home or abroad this festive season.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Whether you’re a sucker for Mariah Carey<\/a> or prefer classics such as\u00a0Fairytale of New York, you wouldn’t be the only one zoning out to Christmas songs.<\/p>\n

But travel experts warn that sentimental holiday hits, both songs and films, can trigger the dreaded ‘Mile Cry’ – leaving even seasoned travellers unexpectedly sniffling mid-air.<\/p>\n

A Mile Cry is exactly what it sounds like: a sudden wave of tears on a plane, often sparked by emotional songs, films, or the stress of leaving loved ones behind.<\/p>\n

Jamie Fraser, from American summer camp provider WildPacks, explains: ‘Travel is emotional by nature; you might have just hugged loved ones goodbye or feel nervous about flying.<\/p>\n

‘Low cabin pressure reduces oxygen to the brain, which amplifies emotions.<\/p>\n

‘Add a nostalgic Christmas tune or tear-jerking film, and suddenly even cheerful songs can feel overwhelming.’<\/p>\n

The top festive tunes to avoid if you want a dry eye have been revealed.<\/p>\n

\"Choosing <\/p>\n

Choosing your playlist wisely could help you avoid tears on a flight<\/p>\n

The top spot was taken by Fairytale of New York by The Pogues & Kirsty MacColl: raw, bittersweet lyrics spark instant nostalgia.<\/p>\n

Second up is Last Christmas by Wham!, one of the most popular tunes.<\/p>\n

The heartbreak-packed chorus makes even cheerful flyers tear up.<\/p>\n

Do They Know It’s Christmas? by Band Aid takes the third spot.<\/p>\n

It’s emotionally heavy for charitable, sentimental reasons.<\/p>\n

Happy Xmas (War Is Over) by John Lennon & Yoko Ono comes in fourth – with the peace and loss theme hitting harder at altitude.<\/p>\n

Number five is Driving Home for Christmas by Chris Rea, which evokes long-lost family memories.<\/p>\n

The next songs included are All I Want for Christmas Is You by Mariah Carey, Christmas Lights by Coldplay,\u00a0Blue Christmas by Elvis Presley,\u00a0The Christmas Shoes by NewSong and Someday at Christmas by Stevie Wonder.<\/p>\n

\"Many <\/p>\n

Many emotional songs could have you in tears mid-flight<\/p>\n

Top festive tunes to avoid:\u00a0 Fairytale of New York \u2013 The Pogues & Kirsty MacCollLast Christmas \u2013 Wham!Do They Know It\u2019s Christmas? \u2013 Band AidHappy Xmas (War Is Over) \u2013 John Lennon & Yoko OnoDriving Home for Christmas \u2013 Chris ReaAll I Want for Christmas Is You \u2013 Mariah CareyChristmas Lights \u2013 ColdplayBlue Christmas \u2013 Elvis PresleyThe Christmas Shoes \u2013 NewSongSomeday at Christmas \u2013 Stevie Wonder <!- – ad: https:\/\/mads.dailymail.co.uk\/v8\/us\/travel\/none\/article\/other\/mpu_factbox.html?id=mpu_factbox_1 – -><\/p>\n

Advertisement<\/p>\n

Similarly, Christmas films that might spark tears mid-flight include It’s a Wonderful Life, Love Actually and The Polar Express.<\/p>\n

Jamie Fraser adds: ‘On one long-haul flight last December, a group of travellers all ended up crying during the final scene of Love Actually.\u00a0<\/p>\n

‘Small gestures like holding back tears become harder at 30,000 feet.’<\/p>\n

One stress-free festive flight tip is to curate your playlist – swap overly sentimental songs for upbeat tracks or podcasts.\u00a0<\/p>\n

From Silent Night to White Christmas, festive entertainment can make your flight magical or ruin your mood.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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