The Airline Industry Has a Toxic Fume Problem episode artwork

EPISODE · Sep 23, 2025 · 23 MIN

The Airline Industry Has a Toxic Fume Problem

from The Journal. · host The Wall Street Journal & Spotify Studios

The fumes are often described as smelling like “dirty socks ” – and they’re seeping into airplane air, sickening some passengers and crew. So-called “fume events” have been a known problem in the airline industry for decades. But a new WSJ analysis shows they’re becoming more common, and their health effects can be severe. WSJ’s Benjamin Katz details his team’s investigation into fume events, which have led to emergency landings and affected pilots’ vision midflight. Ryan Knutson hosts. Further Listening:  - Southwest Changed Flying. Can It Change Itself? - The Love Triangle Over Spirit Airlines Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The fumes are often described as smelling like “dirty socks ” – and they’re seeping into airplane air, sickening some passengers and crew. So-called “fume events” have been a known problem in the airline industry for decades. But a new WSJ analysis shows they’re becoming more common, and their health effects can be severe. WSJ’s Benjamin Katz details his team’s investigation into fume events, which have led to emergency landings and affected pilots’ vision midflight. Ryan Knutson hosts. Further Listening:  - Southwest Changed Flying. Can It Change Itself? - The Love Triangle Over Spirit Airlines Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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The Airline Industry Has a Toxic Fume Problem

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This episode was published on September 23, 2025.

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The fumes are often described as smelling like “dirty socks ” – and they’re seeping into airplane air, sickening some passengers and crew. So-called “fume events” have been a known problem in the airline industry for decades. But a new WSJ analysis...

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