6 Strategies for Fearful Flyers
Advice from pilots and other professional travelers
, but in reality it’s caused by the same routine shifts in wind that bores birds on a daily basis. Like birds, planes are built for it. “Most of the turbulence that the general population encounters is so minimal compared to what the airplane can take,” explains Kevin Kelly, a senior captain with a major U.S. airline.
I was once upgraded to first class on a 15-hour Cathay Pacific flight (because they thought I was my dad’s wife) and I spent nine of those hours sleeping peacefully under that goose down duvet. Feeling physically comfortable made achieving emotional comfort that much easier. For more on how to get upgraded, click here.
Becoming familiar with how carefully planes are designed to withstand emergencies can be comforting. The pilot and co-pilot are highly trained to deal with emergencies as well. “Recurrent training is every 6 months,” says Kelly. He has been flying for over 40 years, but he and other commercial pilots are constantly refreshing their skills.
, an SFO-based workshop, uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. After travel writer Marlena Spieler took the course, she was able to fly without debilitating fear. According to Spieler, “the enthusiasm of the pilots, the reassurance of the psychologists, the demystification of the airline volunteers, and the behind the scenes visits” helped in a major way.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy can be used outside of a flight-specific clinic as well. “If you change your thoughts, you can change your response and behavior,” says Lisa Jackson, the editor of Eat Drink Travel,who has also dealt with flying anxiety. Addressing general anxiety can reduce the intensity during triggering moments, like being on a plane. Exposure therapy has been known to work as well.
Whether in a real plane or a simulator, getting your hands onto a plane’s yoke will give you a sense of control. Lack of control (and not being able to see the navigational tools, the way you can in a car or bus), is a major contributor to flying anxiety.