Understanding the airborne experiences of passengers with depression in long-haul air travels

Abstract

This qualitative study scrutinises the role of depression in mediating air travellers' in-flight experiences. Depression can turn a travelling body into a docile object subject to others’ judgment. As a consequence, the vulnerable body may become less connected with its surroundings. Nevertheless, atmospheres are everywhere. Thus, depressed bodies may receive the atmospheric influence in aircraft cabins. This is not a comfortable experience. The depressed bodies are thus found to actively retreat from the atmospheres by appropriating an assemblage of habit, skills, movement and materials. By conceptualising this dynamic tension (between receiving and preventing atmospheric effects), this study makes a theoretical contribution to expand atmospheric studies and the psychologic and psychiatric literature on depressive experiences. We also provide practical recommendations on cabin crew improvement, turbulence management, seating arrangements, public campaigns and technological innovation, which may make depressed passengers more comfortable on board.