Fear of flying may be a distinct phobia or may be a corollary condition to other anxiety such as claustrophobia. There is no rational reason why people fear flying; they just do.
While it's unlikely that a person who fears flying will ever completely enjoy air travel, there are several things she can do to ease her fears and make the experience tolerable.
Before you fly, understand the process. Ask a friend who is an experienced traveler to detail every step of the journey, from boarding the plane to collecting your luggage, and from take-off to landing. Educate yourself about the noises, movements and systems of an airplane. Understand turbulence and how it affects the cabin of an aircraft.
Most important, understand that air travel is very safe. According to preliminary data from the National Transportation Safety Board, there were 0.107 accidents per 100,000 hours of flight time on all U.S. commercial carriers in 2008. The chances that you will be injured in an airplane are 500 to 1,000 times less than being injured in an automobile. In fact, you are at greater risk of injury riding an escalator than an airliner.
If you can, try to fly with someone who is comfortable flying. Take cues from him for everything from stowing your luggage to operating the in-seat controls for air conditioning and entertainment. Watch other travelers to see how they handle it.
Talk to the ground staff and in-flight crew and let them know you are nervous. They deal with issues like this all the time. Ask them to put you in a seat near the wings, which are less susceptible to turbulence.
Make sure the cool air vent overhead is blowing on your face. Fresh air eases stress.
Pretend that you are riding on a bus. While it sounds silly, it works. Especially if you sit in an aisle seat and avoid looking out the windows.
Music helps drown out the noise of a plane trip. Bring along an MP3 player or request headphones for the in-flight music.
Distract yourself with a book or crossword puzzle. Avoid newspapers unless you are skilled at flipping the pages in a tight space, and especially if you are mildly claustrophobic.
Do not be afraid to ask your doctor for a sedative. Many frequent travelers take mild tranquilizers to relax on flights. Just be sure to stay well hydrated and be aware of your surroundings when you arrive at your destination.
