Tomato juice is one thing I’ll never order — whether on a flight or on the ground. Yet, I’ve heard people order tomato juice countless times while in the air, which sparked my curiosity about this interesting mid-flight drink order. You rarely hear about anyone drinking tomato juice on the ground — except for its use in a classic Bloody Mary.
But what makes people order tomato juice in the air, and is it something you should consider ordering too? The habit of ordering tomato juice in the air dates back to the 1950s, when commercial air travel became common and airlines started offering cocktails and juices.
Here’s why experts say tomato juice tastes totally different while you’re cruising up at 30,000 feet in the air.
How altitude changes your taste buds
“At the high altitude level of planes, the combination of lower cabin pressure and dry air reduces the sensory taste of sweet and salty flavours, while umami flavours stay relatively the same compared to consuming them on ground level. Tomato juices have umami flavours, so they tend to taste better when consumed on a plane, compared to other options whose flavors are numbed out,” says Helen Tieu, RD and founder of Diet Redefined.
“Sweet and salty notes can drop by as much as 30% when in the air. Tomato juice, with its natural acidity, umami compounds (especially glutamic acid), and slight saltiness, cuts through that sensory ‘numbness.’ So it actually tastes fresh and sweet in the cabin, far more so than most other flavours. That effect is greatly elevated when it’s real juice you’re drinking, not concentrate,” says Alexander Jeffreys, CEO at Longbottom & Co.
This combination of low cabin pressure and dry plane air can impact your taste buds beyond tomato juice, too. This is why if you’ve had a mid-air glass of wine, you may find it tastes harsher, more acidic, and thinner. According to Jeffreys, science says the combination of pressurized cabins and humidity below 20% can dry out the nasal passages too, which suppresses taste receptors to blunt sweetness and saltiness — while leaving sour, bitter, and umami flavors relatively unchanged.
Practical reasons for ordering tomato juice
As it turns out, many travelers also opt for a glass of tomato juice while flying for practical reasons, too.
“Tomato juice is rich in natural electrolytes like potassium and magnesium, which support hydration,” says Jeffreys. “That’s essential on long flights where cabin air is so dry. It’s also far lower in sugar than most sodas, and it’s packed full of vitamins.”
Tomato juice is high in Vitamin C, antioxidants, and electrolytes, making it a healthy choice to sip on while in the air. The downside, however, is that those prone to sodium may find tomato juice causes temporary water retention.
Today, Jeffreys says many airlines have embraced the tomato juice order as part of the in-flight ritual. “Lufthansa once reported serving more tomato juice than beer, and Singapore Airlines and British Airways have both partnered with premium producers like Longbottom to elevate the experience, emphasising quality ingredients and consistent flavour at altitude. What began as a quirk of cabin science is now a marker of taste and well-being in the sky. Every major airline in the world knows they have to carry tomato juice,” he says.
