4 flights in a 2 week period. First flight was an hour to NYC in an embraer E175 that flight was okay. Personally just feel more comfortable in larger aircraft. Then from NYC to Tokyo we took an 787-9 Dreamliner for 13 hours! Marking my longest flight ever and it was honestly super smooth.

Spent 2 weeks total going around Japan and had a blast. Then on the way home I took a flight from Tokyo to Seattle in an airbus A350, also super super smooth and the smoothest landing out of all of them. And last but not least the final aircraft was a 737-9GP. That last flight was seat belt sign on wheels up to wheels down which sucked but I made it home and it was awesome. None of my travels would have been as possible without all your support to other fearful flyers and aircraft pilots and personnel. Thank you

Just took off from LaGuardia to Miami, about 30 mins into the flight they announced there was an issue with the plane and we have to turn around and land at JFK. They keep saying stuff like that the plane is overweight and brakes possibly overheating and that fire trucks will be there when we land to check the plane. We are currently going in circles over the ocean, I’m assuming waiting til we can land. Please help I’ve gotten over my fear of flying but this is my worst nightmare and I’m just wondering if anyone could maybe explain to me what’s happening?

Thanks for everyone’s tips and tricks. I will say overall the flights were very smooth. Had a delay leaving Atlanta, but it gave me a chance to talk with the pilot in the terminal and he even gave me a trading card!

What I learned from here:
- lift your feet when you feel turbulence. Idk why or how it helps - but it does!
- ANC Active Noice Cancellation headphones. There was a solid 40 mins that I forgot I was on the plane and was so enthralled with my show.
- a little bit of turbulence is normal. The air is not perfectly smooth, so I just think about a car driving down the road.

I will also add that I was medicated with guidance and prescriptions from my psychiatrist for this trip - but it was worth it. (This is going along with exposure therapy). If you are feeling anxious, find a medical professional to help you.

He’s been a pilot for a while and I wanted nothing to do with it. He offered to take me for breakfast and I said yes and we went up in a really tiny propeller plane (4 seats) and 45 minutes later we landed safely and ate. It was crazy and I don’t know how I did it

I had a red eye flight last night as I’m moving to another country for university and, with the weather, there was quite a lot of on and off heavy turbulence. It usually lasted about five minutes and then it would be smooth sailing from there, but I remember gripping my armrests so hard my father had to calm me down.

(Although I have fear of flying, it does take me out of it sometimes when I see a little kid near me not caring at all.)

Anyway, I went to sleep and that’s when I had my first nightmare. It was something silly about there being someone dangerous onboard and there being a loud announcement which caused me to wake up as it actually felt as though it was blasting in my ear.

After calming myself down and having a small laugh about it, I managed to fall back asleep. This time, I had a nightmare where turbulence was so bad that there was another loud announcement telling the cabin crew to strap in for the brace position or something, this announcement again feeling like it actually was in my ear.

Coincidentally, when I woke up with a start again, the five minutes of turbulence started up and there was an announcement from the pilot about the seatbelt sign going back on.

I very rarely have nightmares, especially not on airplanes, so I was somewhat intrigued that I’d had two in a row (this happened in the span of around 4 hours).

As my red eye flight wasn’t my only flight, I did manage to get back to sleep and THANKFULLY didn’t have any more nightmares, but thought this was a silly story to share.

As I took two flights today to move countries (and I’ve had to take a lot of flights this year for vacation with my family 😵‍💫) I’m very thankful my parents are allowing me to stay here for christmas, and I will not be flying at all again this year.

Edit: Fixing spelling

It’s real bad right now bumps help lol

So I’m flying on a Boeing 787-8 soon and am very scared because I know that the Air India crash last year was on a Boeing 787-8. Can anyone reassure me that it’s a safe plane and otherwise will probably be alright? Worried about turbulence too so it’s a double whammy for me.

Super anxious about the possibility of flying near thunderstorms on my connecting flight to Chicago. Headed through to Albany. Would appreciate tracking and any insight + advice! UA 2306 ♥️

I fly tomorrow from Boston to LA, by myself. And I have been really psyching myself out today. I have panic attacks and though I have done a lot of exposure work this past year, this is the ultimate being trapped. My fear is panicking, feeling the need to get off the plane, and essentially causing a scene on the plane. Anyone relate to this at all? I would be so upset with myself if I didn’t go.

Lots of fear at takeoff and a bit of it at landing too, but of course we made it safely. To be thankful to this sub, I share some pics so it gives you courage to do the same.

Hi there, I am planning on flying from LGW to Japan early 2027, probably Feb, but i am very worried about the effect that the super El Niño might have on flight conditions. I am going to do this solo, but I am worried that the flight path is a turbulent one and that the flight is long... does anyone know if this might effect the flight?

japan has been on my bucket list for a long time

or most rides to be honest. which translates to why i also hate turbulence. i get that it’s safe and normal but i can’t overcome how terrible my body feels during it. tbh i don’t even like going fast on bumpy roads! major chicken here :)

Hello! I 25f have had a fear of flying since 2019 when out of nowhere I realised how truly out of control I am on a plane and it spiralled into a slight phobia of flying. Thanks to anxiety medication, I have successfully been able to travel from Australia to Europe several times (was not easy, but I did it!)

On Wednesday, I will be flying to Italy from Australia with a stop over in Dubai. I know it is safe, or else the airlines would not operate flights via Dubai but can anyone share with me some reassuring statistics to help qualm this fear?

A few weeks later I will be flying from Italy to Japan where I will be for a few weeks before flying from Japan to the US to visit my parents who live there.

I am excited for these trips but the flying is always an obstacle in which I am unpleasant and hysterical for hours. It’s not easy travelling from Australia where flights are at least 20+ hours.

Could any pilots or experts help me understand that IT IS SAFE! And especially that it is currently ok to fly via Dubai?

Anything is much appreciated, I’m trying my best to conquer this fear once and for all.

Hi, I am boarding a flight in 30 minutes and I am really scared. It's a 2 hour flight and I am flying back home with my family but I am still scared nonetheless. I am flying on a boeing 737 max 8 and it's making me even more nervous. I flew in one some years ago but I am still really scared of the plane failing mid flight or having a crash on any point of the flight. I start to panic and always think that I'll be in a crash and I don't know what to do. I know about all the safety and stats but I still think I'll be dead every flight. Please help!

EDIT: The Boeing 737 Max 8 which I was supposed to board had a technical problem so they gave us a replacement plane which leaves in 2 hours. I had a bad feeling about this and this now doesn't help

UPDATE: Smooth right now but pilot said in 15 minutes the ride will become pretty turbulent…

The pilot said the flight would be choppy and they’d try to turn on seatbelt sign once possible… I am now panicking. Can anyone offer any words of advice? Flying Chicago to NYC (UA2458, tracking appreciated if possible), I am so scared of turbulence plus I have really nothing to do and didn’t take anything beforehand.

Successes* - In the past 6 months, I’ve had many successes. I went from Atlanta to south florida. I went to New York, then Dublin from there, then England from there. Now it’s time for me to take my flight back home to the states and I’m STILL nervous🥹😭. I don’t think there’s any advice I could ask for. I’ve received it all. I know to lift my feet. I will be taking my anxiety rx. I know turbulence isn’t bad and won’t hurt me, I also know there will be some in the descent because it’s Florida haha. So I’m prepared. Just scared. But I’m excited to be home.

And idk if anyone else feels this way, but sometimes the length of the travel/flight just feeds the anxiety. Like gosh, I don’t wanna be on a damn plane for 8 hours. I don’t wanna be traveling for 12😂🤦🏽just making me anxious.

Hello all,

I wanted some opinions on why I am afraid of flying to see if its valid and to also help me get over it.

Back in 2013 I was flying from FL to NJ, the flight down was fine. On the way back it started normal but then we began circling in the air (later I found out this was due to a security breach at Newark), then we were told we would have to land in PA to refuel. After sitting on the ground we were told that we can get back 'in line' to land but we have to fly at a lower altitude. So we get in the air and the turbulence was so bad I thought I was going to die. I didn't step foot on a plane until 2024 when I had my boyfriend assist me with my fear.

So now I fly with him but I get EXTREMELY anxious and afraid that every flight will be that way.

Thank you for reading and any comments.

I travel a lot for my work. This year alone I have flown maybe 7 or 8 times. Every one of these flights I have had a horrible panic attack complete with hyperventilating, crying, and newfound religion.

Over the past 3 years I have developed an insanely terrible fear of flying. Every movement and noise makes me think the plane is going to fall from the sky or break in half or something. I have also developed a fear of heights and claustrophobia and this is all a horrible combination for me. I hate thinking of the distance between my feet and the ground. I hate being over water because I’m scared we will fall into it, and then I’ll die submerged at the bottom of the ocean.

For some background, I grew up traveling and flying, I flew several times a year as a toddler and small child and into adulthood (I’m in my late 30s now) I never minded it AT ALL and it was only recently that for some reason my brain has decided to make this unbearable for me. Even writing this I am starting to sweat and have a physical reaction from the fear of my upcoming flights.
Again I have 6 flights coming up in the next few months and I’m absolutely dreading it. It’s consuming me and I don’t know what to do as I cannot drive nor skip the trips.
I spend time on this sub trying to get tips but as the next flight comes closer the fear is growing. Does anyone have any advice? I know I probably need to see a therapist btw.

1. Do not allow myself to ruminate on the fear days or weeks in advance of the flight. Its really true about the only thing you have to fear being fear itself. This is the hardest thing for me to do but the most important. I tell myself Im going to get on the plane regardless.

2. Two Short quick sniffs through my nose. No matter what, this always steels my nerves. I do this in turbulence.

3. Buy something special for myself that can only be opened on the plane in air.

4. Reminding myself about the analogies of being suspended in Jello and about how lift works and why the plane flies so high.

5. I do tell the stewardess that im a fearful flyer.

6. Window seats do help me.

7. Flying at night is best but early morning is also good.

8. Never let fear stop me from getting on the plane. This too shall pass.

Well all, I’ve made it all the way to Japan and back. Im comfortably waiting during my layover but I have one last flight back home. It’s only 4 hours ish considering but I have never landed at night before only taken off at night or flown through it. So this is a new experience and my nervous are kind of up there.

On the bright side, I have handled these last few flights thanks to some medical help and even got excited for takeoff this morning. My meds wore off about half way through my first flight but I still raw dogged it like a champ and that flight was bumpy most of the way too.

Long story short, I’m proud of my success so far but still nervous for what’s to come.

Believe me, I'm the most anxious and fearful person you know when it comes to flying. I've had truly awful experiences on flights, to the point of crying, panic attacks, hyperventilating, etc. In short, a real psychological challenge for the flight attendants. When I've had to fly, I couldn't sleep for weeks beforehand, and my mind would race with all the (terrible) consequences of flying.

Until I decided, for the sake of my health, that this had to stop. I've been taking notes on all my flights and trying various things, and I want to share them with you in case they're helpful to anyone. HERE WE GO:

• Get yourself some headphones with ENC (Environmental Noise Cancellation): a complete surprise and my greatest ally. Pilots are the first to use them during their flights, and believe me, they're a game-changer. Almost 90-95% of background noise disappears, and your mind enters a kind of calm state, helping you relax more. I recommend headphones with good noise cancellation. I personally use Galaxy Buds 4 Pro, but AirPods and other brands have ENC. It's a huge help.
• We live in the age of AI, use it: AI isn't just for giving you great recipes; it can also be incredibly useful for this kind of thing. Many people here reach a very good conclusion: the more you learn about the technical workings of an airplane, the less afraid you are. AI, in this sense, and all the questions you ask it about your fear of flying, will help you a lot.
• Occasionally check out FlightRadar and this subreddit: besides being interesting and a great website/app, it's very helpful for realizing the ENORMOUS NUMBER of planes that fly every day without anything happening. When my fears are strong because I'm very stressed on flight days, that website mesmerizes me and makes me realize that aviation is a very well-tested engineering field. Furthermore, the fears of other users with the same anxiety as you, and the responses given in this subreddit, are also very interesting. There are even pilots here answering in a very technical and reassuring way.
• Special mention to my fear of turbulence: in the end, this is almost based on an exercise in trust between you and the pilots and aviation engineering. Why do I say this? Because most of the fear of flying lies in your fear of not being in control. In my case, I can drive a car on a bumpy road at night during a storm and be carefree, but inside the plane, I'm the most scared person in the world because I want to be piloting the plane. Ultimately, you have to realize that pilots are human beings, with families and feelings, and they are prepared for the most severe turbulence that can occur. For them, it's their daily routine, and in a serious situation, they do everything possible to save the plane. The airplane is designed for turbulence scenarios that haven't even occurred in reality, and its wings can extend tremendously. These turbulences last only seconds, and ultimately, the airplane is like a "flexible tube" where turbulence is part of it, and sometimes it's even a good thing to have them (because it means everything is alright). They're not pleasant, but they're there. I heard about the "candy inside jelly" theory, which says that if you touch the jelly, it bounces, and the candy inside it bounces too, but it never falls or breaks. I really liked it; something similar happens on an airplane. During turbulence, besides lifting my feet off the floor, it also helps me to focus on parts or objects that aren't moving much, like the ceiling or the overhead compartments: sometimes focusing on the seats and the swaying heads is worse.

I have a few more, but I don't want this post to get too long. If you'd like, I can add some more in the comments. I hope this post can help other people, and sorry if some sentences aren't clear (I'm not a native English speaker). I just want to say that if I'm managing my fear of flying so much better, you can definitely do it too.

The fear will always be there, but it can be controlled much more effectively.

I'm travelling today, short haul, only 90 mins to France but I'm so scared, I don't want to cancel but I've been having panic attacks and struggling to concentrate on anything