I completely understand how daunting flying can be. It might sound a bit dramatic, but I remember how it used to feel for me. Although I still have a lot of flying anxiety, I’m not truly terrified. Less than a year ago, I was absolutely fearful of flying. The moment I stepped into the airport, my body would start shaking with anxiety. I vividly recall how takeoff and landing felt like my heart might jump straight out of my chest. You’re definitely not alone in feeling this way.
Even the people sitting next to me noticed my nervousness. On my flight to Gdansk, Poland, last December, a very kind lady saw my anxious look. She spoke with me. Her kindness definitely helped ease my mind during takeoff and landing! It was an extreme day trip for the Christmas market. I was back on another plane later that night, just as terrified. I found myself praying that God would keep me safe from a plane crash.
Life Before Flying Anxiety
Things were not always like this for me. In 2009, I flew from Tulsa, Oklahoma, to Accra, Ghana. While I can’t say I loved the experience, I wasn’t afraid at the time. I do remember a rough landing back in Tulsa due to the nasty weather—typical for Oklahoma in May. Then, a few weeks later, Air France Flight 447 went down in the ocean. I had flown Air France to Ghana. My flight path was obviously not the same as Flight 447. It was traveling from Rio de Janeiro to Paris. Still, I think this incident planted a tiny seed of fear. It lingered in the back of my mind. It made me feel that flying was dangerous.
Growing Anxiety
A year later, I flew to Florida for a cruise. I distinctly recall experiencing a heightened level of flying anxiety during that flight. This feeling was new to me, and I honestly wasn’t sure how to process this newfound fear. It’s worth noting that investigators didn’t discover the cause of the Flight 447 crash until 2011. This was nearly two years after it happened. I flew just a year after this major disaster, with no answers regarding what had gone wrong. More seeds of fear had been planted in my mind.
I didn’t have to fly again until my grandmother passed away in 2012. I was pregnant with my first child at the time. To be honest, I don’t remember much about that flight. I was likely in a haze and feeling a mix of grief and nervousness.
My next big flight was when we moved from California to the U.K. for the first time in 2013, and my daughter was just a few months old. We were upgraded to the luxurious first-class cabin because the airline discovered we were military on orders. It didn’t calm my racing heart. Feelings of doom washed over me during takeoff and landing. I was seated in the center row. It was far from the windows. During this flight, I realized just how important window seats are for keeping my flying anxiety at bay. I now select window seats on all of my flights, even though I hate paying extra for it!
I could share many more stories. For example, I flew from New York to Paris twice last summer after not flying for a few years. Or about my flight to Malaga, Spain, when my heart rate reached 161 bpm during takeoff. However, I feel I’ve provided enough details for you to grasp the main point: I don’t particularly enjoy flying.
Why I Fly; Even with Flying Anxiety
I fly frequently for a simple reason. Trains are too expensive for my budget-conscious lifestyle. They also take too long for some of my shorter trips. When we lived in the U.S., we drove everywhere, making countless trips from Colorado to Ohio and Texas. I had no issues sitting in the car for two days during our travels. My husband enjoys driving, so I only took over for a few stretches when he needed a break. When I wasn’t busy keeping snacks handy or acting as a referee for my children, I had time to read. I could also reflect. I rarely get to do these things as a homeschooling mother of four. Honestly, it was quite nice.
Traveling around Europe by air is undoubtedly the most budget-friendly option. I want to explore as many destinations as possible. We applied for our assignment to the U.K., which will allow us to visit numerous places over the next few years. I refuse to let fear hold me back; there are too many adventures waiting to be experienced!
facing Flying Anxiety Head On
The more I fly, the easier it becomes. It didn’t happen overnight; I confronted my fears head-on. I sought knowledge about flying and joined a “fear of flying” group on Facebook, where I absorbed encouraging posts. One video stood out—pilots discussing turbulence from their perspective. It was reassuring to see how calmly they handled it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5wQ9nAlO12E
I also discovered a wonderful free book from Flying Without Fear, written by a pilot. Its refreshing content eases the mind with stories and insights from behind the cockpit.https://www.flyingwithoutfear.com/first-class/free-downloads/
Knowledge is Power!
Overcoming the fear of flying is a journey I’m actively embracing. I’ve discovered that educating myself about aviation has been incredibly empowering. Knowledge is power. Despite heartbreaking media coverage of plane crashes, it’s crucial to recognize that flying is far safer than driving. In fact, you have a greater chance of being struck by lightning—1 in 15,300. The chance of facing a fatal incident in a plane crash is a mere 1 in 11,000,000. This perspective can inspire confidence and help transform fear into strength.
Here are my top recommendations based on what has genuinely helped me!
For those of you who experience anxiety while flying, please know that you are not alone. Many of us understand how challenging this fear can be. It’s especially difficult for those whose anxiety prevents them from even stepping onto an airplane. It can feel isolating when our family and friends don’t fully grasp what we’re going through. I often look around during flights, feeling like everyone else is at ease while I’m a bundle of nerves. It’s perfectly okay to feel this way. I often wonder if there are others on the same flight who share my fears. Are there others who share my anxieties? Remember, it’s valid to feel this way, and it’s important to know that you’re not alone in this experience.
If you find yourself feeling anxious when flying, what strategies do you use to calm your nerves? What steps are you taking to conquer those unsettling feelings and embrace the journey ahead?
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