From a sick feeling in your stomach to pure panic when you step aboard, fear of flying affects 1 in 4 people. Flying is statistically one of the safest ways to travel (after the bus and underground), but it can turn into a nightmare for many of us. Here are a few explanations and tips on overcoming fear of flying.
> Understand the reasons behind your fear
If you want to conquer a fear, the first step is recognising where it stems from.
• Dramatic events
Anything from a scene from an action film, a documentary about plane crashes, the events of September 11th or the thought of being hundreds of thousands of feet in the air can contribute to or trigger a fear of flying.
• A bad memory
Maybe you had a bad experience on your last flight: heavy turbulence, multiple delays, extra security checks which made you nervous, etc. These can all hold you back from wanting to board a plane again.
• Distorted logic
In your head, the equation is simple: plane = very heavy = impossible for it to fly.
Psychologists refer to people who think that flying results from something supernatural as “earthlings”!
• Unawareness
Fear comes from the unknown. It’s rare to find passengers who fully understand all the principles of flying, which is why panic can occur at the slightest suspicious noise.
• Fears behind the fear
Very often a fear with obvious symptoms, like a fear of flying, can be masking a real, deeper fear.
- Claustrophobia or agoraphobia
The former is a fear of closed places (the cabin) and the latter is one of open spaces (the sky).
- Loss of control
Psychologists call people who are frustrated because they couldn't control a plane if something went wrong “decision makers”.
> How to conquer your fear
• Before departure
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Thorough measures: people who suffer from a real phobia which paralyses them and is a handicap, should consider hypnotherapy, psychotherapy or behavioural therapy to help determine the causes of their fear and find the appropriate solutions.
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A course (offered by some airlines) might be worth taking. Courses involve any of the following: explanations of how flying works and what turbulence is, discussion to calm fears of safety and crashing, relaxation seminars by experts, question and answer sessions, and a short flight.
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Don’t stress: learn to manage your
stress and anxiety the way that suits you best (
yoga, relaxation therapy, sophrology, etc) and do your exercises on the day you fly.
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A prescription of anxiolytics can help people who are struggling to get over their anxiety. They won’t cure the fear, but they’ll calm you down for the flight. Note that it's strongly ill-advised to drink alcohol before or on the flight as it can increase fears.
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On the day itself: arrive early so you can choose your seat when you check in. Go for the centre of the plane so you won’t feel the effects of any turbulence as much, or choose a window seat if you want to see out. Don't sit over the wings or engines so you don’t spend the entire flight checking that they’re working properly!
• On the plane
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Before take-off: feel free to tell the onboard staff that you feel anxious. Sometimes, saying it out loud can help take a bit of the weight off your mind. Once you're sat down, take a good look around and get used to the environment. To occupy your mind, read, chat with the person next to you, concentrate on a crossword or lists (counties in the UK and presidents of different countries are good ones!) or force yourself to learn a poem by heart.
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During take-off: this is the most dreaded moment, for no reason: only 28% of accidents happen during take-off. Still, the humming of the engines, dimming of lights, surge of power and airborne feeling can be overwhelming. Put your trust in technology and the pilot. He knows what he’s doing, just like your dentist or doctor!
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In flight: once the plane is on autopilot, fear generally diminishes. However, turbulence can disturb cruising speed (it doesn’t feel that different from being in a bumpy train or a car). Think of air pockets as potholes in the sky: not pleasant, but not dangerous.
- During landing: this can be just as dreaded as take-off. Remember: the shaking as the plane passes through the clouds and the noises made by the landing gear as it’s lowered are perfectly normal, and you can start smiling because the flight’s over!
> Did you know?
• You’re 90 times more likely to be in a car accident than a plane crash.
• According to statistics, you would need to take a flight every day for 35,000 years to be certain of having an accident.
• In 2006, the European Commission adopted a list of airlines banned within the European Union. To consult this list (updated regularly), go to:
http://ec.europa.eu/transport/air-ban/list_en.htm
• Several airlines offer courses to help you overcome your fear of flying:
- Virgin Atlantic has a “Flying Without Fear” course:
www.flyingwithoutfear.info
- ‘Flying Fear” is offered by Flybe:
www.flyingfear.co.uk
- British Airways‘ course is called “Aviatours”:
www.aviatours.co.uk.
Conquering a fear of flying
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