Tips and solutions for fear of flying

Choose your seat at the time of booking

The first tip for fear of flying is to choose your seat as early as possible, when booking your ticket. The choice of seat is a matter of personal preference: aisle, window, or between two passengers...

The aisle is often preferred if the fear of flying is linked to a mild form of claustrophobia: it is the side that allows you to get up whenever you wish, to stretch your legs or go to the restroom. Generally, it is advisable to choose seats at the front of the aircraft: that is where turbulence is least felt (which is why you will find first class there!).

But whatever your choice, booking your seat in advance allows you to control a first element of a flight, the place where you will sit. It is a small plus to take ownership of the moment and approach the trip more calmly.

Arrive earlier at the airport

Our second tip for fear of flying is to arrive at the airport well in advance. This extra time will allow you to stay calm in case of delays at check-in, baggage drop-off, security gates, or boarding.

Moreover, this time before the flight is an opportunity to observe the activity in the airport and on the tarmac. Take the chance to approach the windows and admire the ballet of planes at takeoff and landing. You will see that no aspect of aviation safety is left to chance and that everything is perfectly under control.

Sleep well, eat well, and stay hydrated

It is also recommended to prepare well for the flight with a good night's sleep, as much as possible. On the day of travel, opt for healthy food and avoid excessive snacking. Also to be avoided: too much coffee and chocolate! Finally, do not forget to stay well hydrated before and during the flight, as the cabin air is drier.

Notify the cabin crew before takeoff

The cabin crew is trained for this! They can advise you against in-flight anxiety. Do not hesitate to let them know once everyone has found their seat, simply by saying "I sometimes get scared of flying" or "please let me know if there is turbulence." They will do what is necessary to reassure you and help you have a good flight!

Knowing how to handle turbulence

The most useful tip against fear of flying is to demystify unfounded fears. Like urban legends, they die hard! The most widespread is air pockets and turbulence, supposedly threatening the integrity of the aircraft.

This is not the case: turbulence, even strong, is part of normal flight conditions. There is no risk to the cabin or flight instruments! Aircraft are designed to withstand it. It is simply a bit of wind, without danger. As for air pockets, they do not exist! In short, if there is turbulence during the flight, tell yourself that it is perfectly normal.

Stop focusing on aircraft accidents

There have never been fewer aircraft accidents relative to the number of flights. The average is estimated at around one accident for every 7 million flights, and it should be added that most accidents are not fatal! The advances in aviation safety are such that you are more likely to win the lottery than to be in a plane accident.

Nevertheless, the rare accidents are widely covered in the media. While cars or bicycles are infinitely more dangerous, news channels and specialized websites act as a magnifying glass. If you have a predisposition to fear of flying, we advise you to avoid alarmist reporting at all costs and to prefer the opinions of IATA or experts with documented and measured assessments.

Fear of flying workshops

We start this list with the most effective solution for fear of flying, by far. Several workshops to overcome flight phobia are available in France. Some are offered by airline pilots or cabin crew, others by the airlines themselves. They may involve psychologists and offer an approach more or less centered on your specific situation.

The advantage of these courses is that they achieve very high success rates: at Fofly.com, more than 95% of participants manage to fly again without problems. Another advantage is that it is a relatively quick method, taking place over a single day.

The best courses combine psychology (or more precisely cognitive behavioral therapy), knowledge about aviation safety, and hands-on practice. You learn, for example, that aircraft are equipped with safety systems providing triple or quadruple redundancy. Moreover, they are inspected in detail before each flight: if there is a takeoff, it means everything is perfectly in order!

Medication for flying

Medication for fear of flying should be used in moderation and only with a medical prescription! We advise you to absolutely avoid self-medication, which could worsen certain symptoms on board.

Medication can represent a solution for fear of flying as a tranquilizing factor. Antihistamines are the most common: as motion sickness medication, they help prevent nausea.

However, if your fear of flying is persistent, tranquilizer-type medication will only be a crutch to reach your destination. They should be avoided in the long term as they can mask the problem – and delay recovery accordingly.

Relaxation and cardiac coherence exercises

Relaxation exercises are often part of the therapeutic toolkit for treating anxiety. They count as a genuine solution for fear of flying when it manifests at mild or even advanced degrees. Indeed, anxiety is also fueled by the alarm signals your body sends you, rightly or wrongly. Relaxation exercises allow you to control these signals and restore calm.

In particular, cardiac coherence exercises are a genuine solution for fear of flying. By allowing you to master your stress, they can be used both on board and at home or in any stressful situation.

Hypnosis, a solution for fear of flying

Hypnosis is frequently mentioned as a solution for fear of flying. It is a very interesting therapy that can produce excellent results – if the patient is receptive to hypnosis. It is recommended to choose the right hypnotherapist, with experience in flight phobias, and if possible a medical professional. In the best cases, 3 to 4 sessions are enough to get rid of fear of flying, notably with the age regression technique.

Homeopathy

Homeopathy is one of the easiest solutions for fear of flying to implement. However, its effectiveness has not been the subject of conclusive scientific demonstrations. It should not be dismissed for all that: as an alternative medicine, its soothing effects are useful for the mildest cases. For others, more effective solutions are recommended.

Apps for fear of flying

Last tip: apps for fear of flying! They allow you to have an ally at your fingertips against in-flight anxiety. Some free apps offer you a mix of technical knowledge and relaxation methods, enough to make real progress. We of course recommend Fofly, the most effective fear of flying app on the French-speaking app stores, available on Android and iOS.

There are many solutions for fear of flying. To find yours, you do not necessarily need to try them all! However, you should get started as soon as possible. Indeed, fear of flying is always curable, but it may grow if you try to ignore it! Only effective treatment will allow you to fully enjoy the happiness of flying.