We often hear that flying is the safest mode of transportation, yet that doesn’t mean there’s no risk. A few weeks ago, American Airlines was in the news after a passenger filed a lawsuit claiming that a lost suitcase contributed to their deteriorating mental health, which eventually resulted in a costly psychiatric hospitalization overseas.
Now, United Airlines is in the spotlight after one of its aircraft experienced a pressurization malfunction, causing some passengers to experience “brain-searing pain,” as well as hearing damage, according to some passengers who recounted their “terrifying” ordeal.
Here’s a closer look at what reportedly happened, and what the airline offered travelers as compensation, which some have claimed is “terrible.”
A United Airlines Plane Experienced A Pressurization Malfunction, Leaving Passengers With Hearing Damage
A back-to-front view of a United Airlines 737 Max aircraft cabin with empty seatsCredit: Shutterstock
On Friday, January 30, United Airlines flight UA-1332, operated by a Boeing 737, experienced a pressurization malfunction seconds after takeoff. One of the passengers on the flight described their experience in a Reddit post
“Today I got on a flight from SAT bound for ORD and within a matter of about 30 seconds I went from feeling completely normal to brain-searing pain. It’s felt like my eyes were bulging and my eardrums were at the point of bursting. Looking around I saw other passengers holding their heads and looking around on confusion,” the passenger wrote on Reddit.
The post continues by saying that the flight, which was supposed to head to Chicago, had to be diverted to Houston. The passenger who reported the events on Reddit said their hearing hadn’t fully returned at the time of writing.
Upon landing, passengers discovered an email sent by United Airlines offering compensation, but some weren’t impressed with the proposal.
United Airlines Offers “Terrible” Compensation
United Airlines aircraft at Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey, NJ, USACredit: via Shutterstock
Following the events, United Airlines emailed the affected passengers, offering 2,500 miles in compensation. However, the passenger sharing their story on Reddit wasn’t too happy.
“United sent an email immediately after landing, saying they would give me 2500 miles in compensation. However, honestly, this seems terrible considering the absolutely horrible time I had on the flight and how I still haven’t fully recovered from it,” they wrote.
Someone in the Reddit post’s comments section pointed out that the airline would have to offer better compensation if the pressurization failure were due to maintenance issues. The commenter wrote, “That’s genuinely insanity for what is effectively subjecting an entire cabin to barotrauma. They assume you don’t know this.”
What Other Users Said
“Go see an ENT doctor to have your ear drums checked for damage.”
“New fear unlocked”
“Happened to me maybe 10+ years ago on a small plane. It was the cargo door which apparently was not secured correctly.”
Typically, the law requires airlines found liable for passenger injuries to cover medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life damages. This means United Airlines might have to offer better compensation to those affected.
Pressurization malfunctions are relatively common and can happen for a variety of reasons. For instance, back in January 2024, a door plug blew out mid-flight on an Alaska Airline aircraft (seen above on YouTube), with several passengers reporting emotional and physical injuries, including hearing problems.
This case led three passengers to sue the airline for $1 billion. In July 2025, the lawsuit was settled for an undisclosed amount.
While pressurization problems do occur fairly regularly, not all cases lead to injury. And when it does happen, there are some steps passengers can take in order to minimize the risk of injury and suffering.
Passengers Are Advised To Put Their Oxygen Masks On And Stay Calm In Case Of Pressurization Malfunctions
According to LOT Polish Airlines, aircraft cabins are usually pressurized to simulate an altitude of around 8,200 feet above sea level. This is because commercial aircraft fly at altitudes between 30,000 and 43,000 feet, where humans cannot survive due to the low pressure and oxygen levels.
However, the aircraft’s pressurization system can fail. If this happens, passengers are urged to wear their oxygen masks, stay calm, and follow crew instructions. Pilots will normally descend to a safer altitude immediately, where the natural oxygen level is sufficient.
That may leave one question regarding the United Airlines case, though; why didn’t oxygen masks drop on this particular recent flight? The answer is likely because the aircraft hadn’t yet reached the correct altitude.
“The pilot said that we avoided the oxygen masks dropping, but it has to have been a close call,” the Reddit user wrote.
Unfortunately, these sorts of incidents involving pressure can cause barotrauma, which may lead to hearing, gastrointestinal, and pulmonary problems.
Ultimately, travelers on a flight experiencing a pressurization malfunction are urged to see a doctor, especially if they experience pain or other discomfort. For now, it remains unclear whether United Airlines will offer better compensation to those affected by this recent incident.