How can I make flying more fun?

Luckily, I've learned a few things along the way to help you manage those fears to make flying fun.
  1. Address what you're afraid of, control what you can, and embrace the rest. ...
  2. Avoid alcohol and caffeine. ...
  3. Trust the travel industry. ...
  4. Bring familiar and positive reinforcements. ...
  5. Fly often.




People Also Ask

There's something about soaring 35,000 feet above the earth's surface in a 350,000-pound tube that can evoke fear in the best of us — especially if you're not familiar with flight mechanics or aerodynamics. Having a fear of flying is completely normal and more common than you might think.

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Flight cancellations, delays, lost baggage, smaller seats, higher prices, fuller flights, more connections, fewer destinations. For passengers, air travel gets more and more miserable by the year. Meanwhile, bankruptcies and mergers have meant competition is at an ebb.

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8 Steps to Overcoming Your Fear of Flying
  1. Latch on to triggers that set you off. ...
  2. Step onto the airplane with knowledge. ...
  3. Anticipate your anxiety. ...
  4. Separate fear from danger. ...
  5. Recognize that common sense makes no sense. ...
  6. Smooth over things that go bump in the flight. ...
  7. Educate fellow fliers how to help you. ...
  8. Value each flight.


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Flying is a stressful experience
Air travel is stressful even under the best of circumstances, and a large part of that comes from having to relinquish control, which happens long before you reach the plane seat. Upon entering an airport, you are sifted through a regimented, mandatory, and inconvenient set of steps.

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And someone who fears heights might become terrified thinking about flying many miles above the ground. The list of triggers is long: turbulence, take-off, landings, terrorism, crashes, social anxieties, or being too far from home.

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What Are the Best—And Safest—Sleeping Pills for Flights?
  • Ambien. Ambien—the most powerful option on this list and the only one that requires a prescription—works as a sedative-hypnotic medication that slows your brain activity to make you feel very sleepy. ...
  • Tylenol PM. ...
  • Melatonin.


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People often come to us requesting the doctor or nurse to prescribe diazepam for fear of flying or assist with sleep during flights. Diazepam is a sedative, which means it makes you sleepy and more relaxed.

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People with aerophobia might feel intense anxiety before or during a flight. This condition can interfere with your ability to travel for work or pleasure. If aerophobia is affecting your quality of life, talk to your healthcare provider. With psychotherapy, most people can conquer their fear of flying.

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How to board a plane: steps and tips for success
  1. Step 1: Reconfirm your flight 24 hours in advance online. ...
  2. Step 2: Get to the airport with plenty of time to spare. ...
  3. Step 3: Drop your bags off or wait in line if you need extra help. ...
  4. Step 4: Keep your I.D. ...
  5. Step 5: Go through TSA screening procedures.


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Acknowledge that flying can be a scary thing, without invalidating how they feel, says Nippoda, adding that this is especially important if you (or they) are not a frequent flyer. They need to know they are not alone. Mention that other people on the same flight might have similar flying anxieties.

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It is completely normal to be scared of flying, but it's not as bad as you would think. It should be stated initially and clearly that accidents involving aircraft are extremely rare.

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Fear of flying afflicts as much as 40 percent of the U.S. population. The nation's armrest-grippers may be heartened to know that “aviophobia” is perfectly normal, and easily treated. Only about 5 percent of Americans have aviophobia so severe that they cannot fly.

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As you add more passengers, the amount of emissions your party produces increases on a flight. In contrast, the amount of greenhouse gas emissions, which trap heat and lead to global warming, produced decreases per person when driving. The break-even point for driving vs. flying in this example is 2.03 people.

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Medication is sometimes prescribed on a temporary basis to treat the symptoms of a flying phobia, such as anxiety and nausea. These drugs are usually taken shortly before a flight. They include: Anti-anxiety medication, such as diazepam (Valium) or alprazolam (Xanax).

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Treat congestion before your trip
If you're congested from allergies or an upper respiratory infection, it's important to do what you can to resolve the congestion before you fly. Common treatments for congestion include antihistamines, decongestants, and nasal steroid sprays.

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The FAA encourages pilots to seek help if they have a mental health condition since most, if treated, do not disqualify a pilot from flying.

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