A system and method for improving air humidification for fuel cell applications includes a fuel cell stack having a cathode inlet and a cathode outlet. The cathode inlet receives an oxidant. A humidifier humidifies the oxidant prior to delivery of the oxidant to the cathode inlet. An injection nozzle is provided, and a volume of water substantially vaporized by the injection nozzle reduces a temperature of the oxidant and increases a water transfer rate of the humidifier. The injection nozzle can be positioned either directly upstream of the humidifier in the oxidant inlet line or in a stack cathode outlet line which is directed into the humidifier.