9 Tips For Fear of Flying: Make Your Flights More Comfortable

14 October 2024
Melke

If you are afraid of flying and this fear is preventing you from traveling, welcome to the club. If you have a fear of flying that many people cannot understand, traveling can be quite challenging for you. Especially if you suffer from panic attacks, the fear of flying might be a major issue in your life. Don’t worry, you are not alone. Here you’ll find 9 great and simple tips for fear of flying.

So, is it possible to travel despite a fear of flying? If so, how can we do it? How can you have better flights when you are dealing with fear of flying? Some people manage to fly by confronting their fear, others use sleep medications prescribed by their doctors, and some use self-hypnosis techniques. However, the most important thing is the stage of your fear of flying and how much stress it causes you. Your fear might be severe enough to cause anxiety attacks even at the mention of a plane, and you might plan your travels to avoid flying. It’s all normal; there’s nothing wrong with you.

Your fear of flying might be rooted in something you are not aware of, and professional help can be very beneficial in this regard. This article provides some methods for those who experience manageable fear and anxiety but are still able to fly.

In addition to these methods, as someone who also suffers from a fear of flying, I have prepared another article to share my experiences from start to finish: “Can fear of flying be cured?: Things I did to overcome fear of flying ” If you also have a fear of flying, I recommend reading it. Maybe we have some common ground, and the methods I tried, both successful and unsuccessful, might help you too.

Calming Tips for Fear of Flying: Suggestions to Overcome Fear of Flying

The following methods are based on information I found from psychologists and psychiatrists who create content to help people like me with a fear of flying. These methods are definitely applicable for those with manageable fears of flying. If you don’t feel ready to confront this fear or if it causes you a lot of stress that you think you cannot handle, make sure to seek professional support for traveling with a fear of flying.

If you can tolerate this fear and it doesn’t prevent you from flying but still causes stress, the information below might be very helpful.

1. Confront Other Fears First

If you have fears beyond flying, such as being in buses or subways, start by addressing these smaller fears. Confront fears related to other modes of transportation that you find more manageable before directly facing your fear of flying.

2. Utilize Affirmations and Music

When my fear of flying was manageable, I started listening to affirmations related to flying every night from the moment my flight was confirmed. On the day of the flight, I prepared myself for the possibility of a panic attack so I wouldn’t be caught off guard. I had a playlist prepared for my flights, including affirmations, subliminal messages, and classical music, which I listened to during the flight. (It’s crucial to find these from reliable sources.)

These methods helped me greatly reduce my fear and stress. Usually, my flights were a bit tense, but on return flights, I boarded the plane as if I had no fear of flying at all.

3. Research Aircraft Safety

Let’s all admit it: airplanes are really safe modes of transportation, and thousands of flights operate daily. Thousands of flights arrive at their destinations safely every day. Even in 2018, the year with the most recorded accidents, there were only 15 plane crashes out of 38.1 million flights. According to statistics, flying is one of the safest forms of transportation. The probability of being involved in a plane crash is 1 in 11 million.

Research why airplanes are so safe. Learn about the principles of flying, the measures taken for common issues, and the training of pilots. If you are watching reports of plane crashes, make sure you also see the measures taken after those crashes.

Watch videos of pilots explaning “What happends if?” These videos can help you to relax.

4. Inform the Cabin Crew About Your Fear

Before boarding, make sure to inform the cabin crew about your fear of flying. This way, you will feel safer, and the cabin crew can help put you at ease. Some of my most comfortable flights were those where I shared my fear with the cabin crew. I am still grateful to the staff who did everything they could to make me feel safe. 🙂

5. Try Talking to the Pilots

Although this isn’t always possible, give it a try. I was generally fortunate in this regard. On some of my flights, I had the opportunity to speak with the pilots. As soon as I boarded, I told the flight attendants about my fear and asked if I could speak with the pilots. Before the flight started, I entered the cockpit a few times.

The pilots provided me with information about the flight and safety; they asked me some questions to distract me. In the end, we took a photo together, and they signed and gave me a printout of the flight route as a souvenir. I know it sounds a bit crazy, but did it relax me? Yes. Some airlines are quite sensitive about this. Even if talking to the pilots isn’t possible, definitely share your fear with the cabin crew; they will listen and help ease your concerns.

6. Don’t Fear Turbulence

We all have a general idea of what turbulence is, right? During a flight, turbulence can occur due to weather conditions, causing shaking or, rarely, a sensation of falling. Turbulence is a common aspect of flights, and all pilots are experienced in dealing with it; they have maps of potential turbulence during the flight.

Although it can be unsettling when it happens, it does not pose a serious safety risk. You can ask the flight attendants about what to expect in terms of turbulence. This way, you will be prepared. During turbulence, you can also imagine you’re on a bus driving on a bumpy road. Honestly, there are many things to be afraid of about airplanes; let’s not get stuck on turbulence!

7. Avoid Avoidance Behavior

When you postpone or completely avoid flying, your fear strengthens and becomes harder to control. This teaches your brain that flying is dangerous and that avoidance is the safest option. Avoidance makes it harder to overcome fear. Therefore, try to travel by plane, even if in small steps.

For example, start with a short flight or just visit the airport to experience the atmosphere. By confronting your fear in this way, you can begin to convince your brain that flying is safe.

8. Produce Counter Thoughts

“The chance of a plane crash is 1 in 11 million.” Okay. When someone used to tell me this, I would often automatically think, “Well, why can’t that one in a million chance happen to me?” If you think this way, you’re right; it could happen. There is no guarantee that you won’t experience a plane crash. Just like there is no guarantee that the minibus you ride won’t have an accident, that you won’t be hit by a car while walking on the sidewalk, that a tile won’t fall on your head, or that you won’t choke on a chickpea.

I’m not saying this to stress you out more. I’m saying this to remind you that life is full of such uncertainties, and it’s impossible to avoid every possible risk. Therefore, there should be limits to how much we restrict ourselves.

9. Seek Professional Support at the Earliest Opportunity

Fear of flying should be addressed before it deepens. Seeking professional support from a therapist or expert as soon as possible can help you uncover the root causes of your fear and develop effective coping strategies. Methods like cognitive-behavioral therapy, hypnotherapy, or exposure therapy can be quite effective in overcoming fear of flying. Working with an expert to address your fear without allowing it to limit your daily life and travel freedom is one of the best ways to overcome it.

Remember: Dealing with fear is a bumpy journey. There is no single, definitive solution, and your fear may sometimes seem to disappear entirely only to return unexpectedly or manifest in a different way. However, once you learn to manage it, you no longer have to surrender to it. Think of the path that fear has carved in your life as an old path with lost grass. Your mind has become accustomed to walking that path. Now, you are working to create a new and safe path by confronting your fear. It is entirely normal for your thoughts to occasionally stray back to the old, familiar path. What you need to do is redirect your thoughts to the new path. As the grass grows over the old path, making it invisible, your new and safe path will become clearer.

If you’ve read this far and have similar experiences, fears, questions, or additional points to share, please write them in the comments section below. This way, everyone can see and help each other. I also recommend reading the article where I describe my own fear of flying journey. I wish everyone ease on their own journey. 🙂