How does it feel to fly on an airplane for the first time?

No matter your age, a person's first flight is an exhilarating experience. First-time flyers are often either scared or excited about their big day. If you're feeling nervous about flying, you should feel secure knowing you are safer in the air than driving in a car .



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Travelling by plane can be a scary experience for people of all ages and backgrounds, particularly if they've not flown before or have experienced a traumatic event. It is not something to be ashamed of: it is no different from the personal fears and dislikes of other things that very many people have.

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If you're seated with your belt on, it's like a roller coaster ride and nothing worse. Remember that I said it's rare, not unheard of, for turbulence to bring airplanes down. There is one kind of turbulence that has been known to cause accidents -- the turbulence generated by thunderstorms.

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First Time Flying Tips: How to Calm Your Nerves
  1. Arrive to the airport early so you don't feel rushed. ...
  2. Prepare for motion sickness (just in case) ...
  3. Only drink water before your flight. ...
  4. Pay attention to the safety instructions before takeoff. ...
  5. Make yourself feel at home. ...
  6. If possible, travel with a friend. ...
  7. Bring chewing gum.


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Here's how to feel your best when you're in the air:
  1. Drink more water. Hydration will help you handle anything air travel sends your way. ...
  2. Drink less alcohol. ...
  3. Pack for hydration. ...
  4. Prepare your immune system. ...
  5. Flex your calves. ...
  6. Stretch everything else. ...
  7. Sleep near the window. ...
  8. Make your own legroom.


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So in summary, the sinking feeling you get after takeoff is a result of your inner ear's response to the sudden change in acceleration and gravity as the plane leaves the ground. It's a completely normal sensation and nothing to be concerned about.

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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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The airplane accelerates to rotation speed, but it's still on the ground. Obviously, some airplanes will lift off more quickly than others. Generally speaking, though, the takeoff roll lasts about 15 seconds for single-engine general aviation airplanes.

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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. It is this fact that makes the media coverage of such incidents so prevalent.

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If you're scared to fly, like yours truly, then you've probably dealt with some degree of anticipatory anxiety. And remember: pre-flight anxiety is normal. Our minds sometimes go off in wild and scary directions without us having any control over our thoughts.

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Short answer: Because we're moving at the same velocity as the Earth, in the same way that passengers inside an airplane don't feel movement because they're moving with the same velocity as the plane. People on a smooth flight don't feel the plane's movement.

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Air pressure is lower at higher altitudes, which means your body takes in less oxygen. Airlines “pressurize” the air in the cabin, but not to sea-level pressures, so there's still less oxygen getting to your body when you fly, which can make you feel drained or even short of breath.

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You'll feel the tires hit the runway and that can be a bit dramatic but it's normal. You'll feel the pilots start to brake and that is pretty cool feeling the engine slow itself down from 300+ mph.

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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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Distract yourself In a nutshell – distraction works. Airlines now provide the little comforts of home – like televisions, music channels, and magazines – to help distract you from noises and bumps during the flight and make you feel more at home in a strange place.

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They include:
  • Anti-anxiety medication, such as diazepam (Valium) or alprazolam (Xanax).
  • Motion sickness medication, such as dimenhydrinate (Dramamine).


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It can also be very frightening. If you've never flown on an airplane before, it can be a bit scary. After all, human beings don't have wings and aren't used to flying thousands of feet above the ground.

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Although forces of gravity are at play, you're technically weightless from the moment you leave the airplane until the parachute begins to open. This is why you feel a floating, as opposed to a falling, sensation. Physics proves it! An undisputed freefall sensation is wind speed strength.

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How come? “The pressure, temperature and oxygen levels in the cabin fluctuate, and the humidity level is lower than it is at sea level,” says family medicine physician Matthew Goldman, MD. All of those things can mess with some of your body's normal functions.

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10 Tips for Plane Travel
  1. Drink more water. Hydration will help you handle anything air travel sends your way. ...
  2. Drink less alcohol. Alcohol presents a double threat to airplane wellness. ...
  3. Pack for hydration. ...
  4. Prepare your immune system. ...
  5. Flex your calves. ...
  6. Stretch everything else. ...
  7. Sleep near the window. ...
  8. Make your own legroom.


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  • Choose Your Ideal Seat. Booking your flight in advance may give you a higher chance of being able to choose your ideal seat. ...
  • Dress for Comfort. ...
  • Sleep on the Plane. ...
  • Pack the Essentials. ...
  • Consider Your Long Term Health. ...
  • Stay Hydrated. ...
  • Combat Dry Air. ...
  • Maintain Your Hygiene Routine.


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