Tips For Beating Flying Fear?

Question

I have a terrible fear of flying, but as i would like to travel more and see the world, i need some good tips at combatting the fear, So far i have just about managed to get comfortable sitting a 2 hour flight to spain. I also would like to know of any boredom combatting tips on flights Such as UK -Kenya?

Thanks

Answer 1

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker

You really have nothing to worry about, flying really IS the safest way to travel, yes its always big news when a plane has a problem but how often is this?

There are tens of thousands of flights worldwide every day and 99.99999999999999999% of them go without a hitch. Its a proven fact that you are 100,000 times more likely to die in a road crash on the way to the airport than dying as a result of a plane crash.

I used to be rigid with fear on planes, the way i beat it was getting on planes, simple as that really. I now fly around 40,000 miles every year and have been doing for about 9 years now.

You mentioned Kenya :) was there less than a month ago, from Heathrow on BA its about 7 3/4 hours. This will sound daft but if you are nervous about crashing and want to go to Kenya, fly with BA, they run the Boeing 777 on that route - as the planes havent been in service that long they have a 100% safety record, always comforting to know if you're nervous.

Asker's Rating:

Asker's Comment:

Thanks For all the help, I will certainly be trying out all the tips suggested.

Thank You Again, I will let you know how we get on in Kenya when i go to see my all time favourite Animal the Hippo out there in its natural habitat!

Answer 2

take a good book, or some temazepam.

Answer 3

Lots & lots & lots of whiskey. Or alternatively, valium

Answer 4

buy a portable dvd player and head phones lots of batterys and dvds it realt does take your mind off it

Answer 5

unless u get therapy and hypnotised. i think the best thing to do is try it and see for yourself how safe (and fun) it is

Answer 6

depends upon what exactly your fear is...

are you claustrophobic? If you have claustrophobia, see your doctor and ask for a sedative.

are afraid that the plane is going to crash?

I had a very real fear of flying after I had a very rough flight. What I did was read aerodyanamic and aerospace engineering books. I also spoke to an aerospace engineer friend. He told me that aircraft are "over engineered." That is to say, if it is calculated that jet engines need so much torque and power for a particular load, the jet engines are designed for 3 and 4 times the torque and power needed, for ten times as much weight. Similar, if it is calculated that parts and components need to withstand a certain amount of stress, heat, and vibration, then those parts are manufactured and designed to withstand 10 times the amount of stress.

Part failure and poor maintenance are even taken into account during the design and manufacture of commercial aircraft. Airline pilots have to continuously attend classes and training.

Really, 99.99% of commercial aircraft are very safe and air worthy. So, what about that .01%? The risk is still very low.

The cliche that you are more likely to be in a automobile accident than in a plane crash is very true, and not a public relations gimmick by the airline industry.

I get a little nervous before a flight. But really, it's not big deal.

Answer 7

There are some natural drops called "Rescue Remedy" (Bach flowers) they are perfect for fear of flying, dentist etc. I use them. Try and tell me if it worked :)

Answer 8

lots of mints helped me on my first time

Answer 9

to cure it completely, go sky diving. I did. nearly sh*t myself but cured my fear of practically n e thing!

Answer 10

HEY, CHECK OUT MY QUESTIONS. I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AND ASKED THE PEOPLE HERE FOR ADVICE SOME TIME AGO. THEY GAVE ME SOME REALLY GOOD TIPS. SOME OF THEM ACTUALLY HELPED. SEE WHAT'S THE BEST FOR YOU. GOOD LUCK!

Answer 11

you need to understand your fear then you can deal with it. Is it flying you are afraid of? claustrophobia or crashing?
Once identified you can start to learn relaxation techniques to use in the situations. Its quite hard to do but practise makes perfect. if you need any techniques mail me. Distraction always helps.

Answer 12

I had this problem too, so much so when we drove up to the airport and saw the planes I puked in the car!

Ring the airline and ask them to send you some stuff to read,it explains what the different noises etc are, and tell the stewardess you are a nervous flyer, they will look after you and are used to it.

I took a camera and took hundreds of photos, sounds mental I know but when you are behind the lens of a camera you feel invincible, I have no idea why though!

Once you've done it once you'll be laughing your head off, I was so scared I cried when it lined up on the runway, but when you feel the awesome power of the jets fire up you feel pretty safe.

Don't forget, we have the strictest flight safety laws in the world, a plane flying from Britain will not go down because of mechanical failure, Heathrow is the busiest airport in the world and how many accidents you heard about there?

As for terrorism if that's the fear, then rest assured, I couldn't even get a tiny tube of vaseline of a plane to ALBANIA! So don't worry about that, it's not going to happen.

Plus you know, the view is amazing up there, and the fact that hundreds of tonnes can soar through the sky incredible. Just get a camera and relax!!!

Answer 13

rescue remedy worked for me

Answer 14

Drink lots of alcohol it worked for me

Answer 15

Hypnotherapy, bach flower remedy before flying, alcohol and/or valium!!!
Mr T used to drink milk before a flight and for some reason.....it worked!!!!

Answer 16

i'm freightend of flying as well and i just take the bull by the horns and put up with it. i also bring my iPod and listen to traquility music if i get paniky. i also found what helped me was to buy a book on how to suvive a plane crash. here are some tips.

-try and sit with in seven rows of a exit. your chance of susvial is alot higher than.
-when you get on the plane count how many rows you are from your exit so if you can't see you can feel your way.
-only think of yourself and meet your family out there.
-have a plan with the people your traveling with and a meet up point.
-keep calm.
-don't inflate your life jacket until your out of the plane.
-don't go near the aviation fuel once in the water (it's toxic)
-listen to the cabin crew.
-remember how your seat belt unfastens. most people froget and try and unfasten them like car seatbelts and get trapped.

but remeber crashes are very rare and i don't want to scare you! just knowing what to do if my worst fear came true helped me alot. and have fun and pace yourself. have a nice holiday.

Answer 17

Think of BA Baracas from the A team when he says: Yall not getting me on no plane fool!

Answer 18

dont fly go by ship

Answer 19

I have a rule not to have a drink before noon but there is an exception.
Two pints at the airport before any flight and I'm fine (No more though!)

Answer 20

Actually nobody has a fear of flying. What people have is a fear of being at 38,000 ft and not flying. Seriously there is nothing to worry about just look down at the snow below you and enjoy the sunshine while those of us down here get soaked.

Answer 21

just ralex and read a good book and watch movie and listen to music. just keep urs mind busy then u b fine...good luck

Answer 22

Know that you are more than likely to be safe. If it all does go pear shape, then at least it will be quick. But only fly if you have to - think of the pollution. Besides...YOU can experience many things close to home and most things far away.. are over-rated

Answer 23

Just do it !!! I flew about 5 times and had some bad experience all in smaller aircraft, I gave up flying for 30 years. Then one day I thought I can only die once and wifey and I flew to Singapore, 14 hours straight. On big planes 747 etc you don't know your up there. Do it now, you don't have time to be bored.

Answer 24

I think some major airlines, like BA, offer courses where you get to meet pilots and other industry professionals, who go in to the whole issue in detail. At the end of the course, you go on a short flight, with all the experts on hand.

Answer 25

When our daughter was 23 she went to the USA to get married,
Her father doesnt like flying and I wanted to go and see her,so I had to go alone on two flights
to florida,I was so afraid,but all I thought about
was to see my daughter again after six years, I took a good book with me,I played games on the TV, then youve got your meals and there is plenty of people to talk to.
At the end of the flights there she was in Miami
to meet me,I went ten times after that.
You'll be fine,if I can do it you can,good luck.

Answer 26

Well, I was told that you are more likely to get kicked to death by a donkey then die in an air crash.

I am getting better at it, but I have flown nearly all over the world, and still hold my breath when we take off or land or get turbulence.

But I guess, the odds are good, and I think if all those pilots and cabin staff can stand it day after day, year after year, they don't get paid enough if its that dangerous do they?

So, take a good book, and put your fate in the lap of the Gods, and enjoy your holidays, its got me around the world twice!

Answer 27

Britannia Airlines do a intro to flying for people with a fear. Check out their web site or call them.

It is safe, good luck with cracking the fear.

xx