“The brain then creates a relationship between flying, planes, distorted thinking around what could happen, worry and anxiety symptoms borne out of fear, and then the behavioral piece, which is avoiding flying at all costs.”
What are the symptoms of aerophobia?
“This phobia is serious, as the person has made an association between flying and risk of death,” Rackley says. “The symptoms are excessive worry, anxiety, and panic when it comes to flying. Panic attacks, hyper-vigilance, and extreme emotional distress are symptoms, too. The brain is hardwired to help us avoid death and threat, so will react with avoidance when flying becomes a phobia.”
“I become very fearful when I board a plane because my anxiety makes me feel that I won’t see my family and friends again if the plane crashes,” says Amber Port, Condé Nast Traveller UK’s audience development manager. “I can become incredibly worried beforehand, which makes the entire flying experience less than ideal.”
Why is fear of flying such a common phobia?
According to Cleveland Clinic, aerophobia affects around 25 million people in the US. Part of the reason for this phobia being so common is the rapid growth of the aviation industry. For the Baby Boomer generation, flying was a scary concept, but they didn’t have to experience it very often. Today, many people travel by plane multiple times per year, resulting in more people having to frequently face a fear of flying.
“We are flying and traveling more than ever now,” Rackley tells us. “We also have more information about flying, planes, crashes, and technology. People with a fear of flying tend to struggle with worry and anxiety anyway, in some form, in day-to-day life. Therefore, they do not like uncertainty and not being in control of outcomes. Flying requires that they relinquish control over to the pilot and agree to be passive. This is deemed too risky and so best avoided.”
“It actually helped me to find out that I wasn’t alone with my phobia,” Wilkes says. “I did my own research, comparing all sorts of stats for flying against other means of everyday transport, and having open conversations about it with the people around me instead of being embarrassed and feeling alone. It was so interesting to find out that almost everyone I spoke to, while they may not have had a phobia, still had their own little habits, home comforts, and herbal remedies.”
Can you cure a fear of flying?
Luckily, there are several ways those suffering can manage a fear of flying. Below, we break down five different methods that can help you cope with flight anxiety.
Research
Each year, airlines improve safety procedures and develop technology that prioritizes safety, from pilot training and regulations to forecasting and equipment. Reading up on the science behind flying, and hearing the latest statistics that show just how rare these accidents are, can help allay any fears and concerns.
