Touchdown. The jolt sent a lance of pure, startling pain from his ear down his neck. He gasped. The woman next to him looked alarmed. “You sure you’re okay?”
Using a spray (like oxymetazoline) about 30 minutes before takeoff and 30 minutes before landing can reduce swelling in the nasal passages.
Here is everything you need to know about why your ears block during flight and how to fix it. Why Does It Happen?