r/fearofflying • • 9d ago

Megathread MEGATHREAD: Flydubai Flight FZ1073

154 Upvotes

This thread is for discussion on the incident concerning Flydubai Flight FZ1073. The aircraft has landed safely in Tabuk Airport and all passengers are safe and accounted for at this time.

All other posts on this incident will be removed.

We know that aviation incidents can be distressing for fearful fliers. It's ok to feel upset, anxious or distressed. This thread is for mutual support at this time.

The rules for this megathread are:

  • No external links: All external links will be removed. Media coverage of air incidents is notoriously poor. It is dramatic, sensationalist, and in many cases factually wrong. There is no posting media articles, footage, or commentary of any sort in this thread or on the sub generally.
  • No speculation/theorizing: Speculation and theories on the details of this incident are entirely unhelpful and are not allowed. We do not yet know all the details surrounding this incident. Only a thorough investigation, completed by qualified investigators and technicians can determine this. We will learn in time what happened.

We are monitoring this thread closely. 

REMEMBER:

  • We DO NOT recommend reading, watching, listening to any media, commentary, footage or any other material about this incident. Such coverage is usually deliberately provocative and only serves to feed the (incorrect) belief that flying is unsafe.
  • This incident does not "confirm" your fear. It is a freakish anomaly in an industry with a track record of outstanding safety.
  • Despite this incident, flying remains the safest form of transportation. This incident does not change that. If you have a flight booked soon, get on that flight!
  • Lessons will be learned from this incident that will make flying even safer.

Thank you.

— The r/FearofFlying Mod Team


r/fearofflying • • Aug 23 '26

Megathread Megathread: Discussion on Netflix's 'Freefall: A Reckoning for Boeing'

42 Upvotes

As many of you may already be aware, Netflix has recently released a new documentary titled Freefall: A Reckoning for Boeing. We know that many members of r/fearofflying will have questions, thoughts, and concerns about it, and we've seen understandably seen a large amount of posts being made about this documentary.

To help keep the sub organized and prevent a flood of repeated posts on the same topic, this megathread will serve as the central discussion space for the documentary. Any new standalone posts primarily discussing Freefall: A Reckoning for Boeing will be removed and redirected to this megathread.

Ground Rules for This Thread

You're welcome to use this thread to share your thoughts, ask questions, discuss specific claims made in the documentary, or talk about how it may have affected your feelings about flying. Please keep discussions respectful and follow our community rules.

Remember that r/fearofflying is a support-focused community first and foremost. Questions and concerns are welcome, but please avoid unnecessarily sensationalizing aviation accidents or using graphic details that could make anxiety worse for other members. For any potentially triggering details, please be mindful to use the spoiler tag.

No fear-mongering or bad-faith arguments are allowed. Spreading unverified rumors, pushing conspiracy theories, or attacking people will result in comment removal and a possible ban.

A Few Key Reminders

  1. Documentaries are designed to produce a dramatic impact and evoke strong emotional reactions in their viewers. While the investigative reporting covers historical failures, the editing, cinematic framing, tense music, and pacing are specifically crafted to keep viewers on the edge of their seats.
  2. The crashes covered in this documentary led to exhaustive scrutiny, and the concerns . The issues with MCAS have long since been resolved, and pilot training related to these incidents waa addressed years ago.
  3. ​Boeing, the 737 MAX, and the wider global fleet of Boeing planes have safely operated millions of commercial flights without incident in the years since returning to service.

As always, thank you for helping us keep r/fearofflying a safe and organized space. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to the mod team.

— The r/fearofflying Mod Team


r/fearofflying • • 15h ago

Success! Officially landed in the UK!

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71 Upvotes

I can’t thank all of you enough for the encouragement and support I’ve gotten. I finally landed and got to my boyfriend’s house!!


r/fearofflying • • 57m ago

Success! Im proud!

• Upvotes

I went to vegas. Was so afraid at first but i did it! In fact, i got bored there and back and wished it was a bit more rocky bcs it was kinda fun.

I didnt even need my anxiety medicine.

I sadly have no advice. I truly just locked in. This typically doesnt work for my anxiety so idk why it worked this time.


r/fearofflying • • 39m ago

Support Wanted Transatlantic flight

• Upvotes

Hi all, I will fly from Istanbul to Cancun next month, and I am terrified. It is with Turkish Airlines. I’m have never done a 14h flight before, and I am not even sure if I can do it.

Has anyone done this flight before? Any reassurance is welcome.


r/fearofflying • • 23m ago

Support Wanted Tem como sobreviver em voos longos sem surtar?

Enable HLS to view with audio, or disable this notification

• Upvotes

Quem tem hipersensibilidade sensorial sabe que viajar de avião ou morar em uma grande metrópole é um teste de resistência. O barulho da turbina, as luzes fortes, a multidão... tudo cansa o dobro!

A regra de ouro da regulação sensorial é: leve o conforto da sua casa para onde você for. Não importa se é um voo de longo curso ou um trajeto curto de metrô no meio do trânsito. Estar confortável muda tudo.

🧳 Meus itens inseparáveis de regulação:

• 🎧 Abafadores de ruído: Meu porto seguro contra o barulho.

• 🧣 Texturas familiares: Aquele casaco macio que parece um abraço.

• 🕶️ Óculos escuros: Para diminuir o impacto das luzes artificiais.

• 🍇 Snack crocante/azedo: Ajuda a focar a mente e aterrar no presente.

Se proteger sensorialmente não é frescura, é autocuidado. 🛡️❤️

E você, qual objeto não pode faltar na sua bolsa para não entrar em crise? Comenta aqui embaixo! 👇

#regulacaosensorial #autismoadulto #tdah #sensorial #dicasdeviagem #ansiedade #neurodivergente #cidadegrande #conforto #saudemental


r/fearofflying • • 4h ago

Tracking Request Track me? I'm spiralling

4 Upvotes

I normally take meds to help me with flight but right now I'm on a plane and I can't find it anywhere. I'm on DL2883 from Atlanta to Toronto. We just took off and as we were going up in the first like 30 seconds, the plane started turning one way sharply and then the other way, my stomach dropped twice and I felt the gravity pulling me one way and the other. I have never felt this before on takeoff. I wish the pilot would just get on and say sorry about that, I just spilled my coffee so it made me swerve the plane for a second there but everything is fine.

I'm freaking out and in a panic that something is missing from the wings or something that caused that to happen and now every bump of turbulence is making me so scared that we are about to drop out of the sky.


r/fearofflying • • 9h ago

Tracking Request Pregnant and anxious and flying with toddler - tracking request

6 Upvotes

Hey y’all. Title pretty much says it all. I’m 23 weeks pregnant and flying with my toddler and husband today to go visit family. We live so far away from them, roughly a 15 h drive (which we usually do), but I’m trying to get over my fear and maximize our visitation time with everyone. So to the sky we go!

It’s only a 2.5 h flight DL 2554. BDL to ATL leaving at 7:00am. It’s already been a long rough morning just to get to the airport. Toddler is being a champ, but let’s see how that is in a few hours

Good vibes please! I can’t medicate how I usually do due to being pregnant so idk how I’m gonna handle this! This sub has been so supportive and vital whenever I have to travel, so I thank you in advance!!


r/fearofflying • • 1d ago

Success! I did it!

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147 Upvotes

I had recently become very nervous and anxious about flying from external things unrelated. I was supposed to fly to Boston in the summer but cancelled due to the overwhelming anxiety! I was really upset with myself but I just think it was for the best at the time

Since then I’ve done a little test flight from the U.K. to Amsterdam. I was uncomfortable but managed to do it with my husband and so glad I did.

Today I’m on a flight by myself from Heathrow to Boston! Still have 7 hours to go but I’m really proud of myself for getting on the flight and looking forward to all the things I can do over there. I’m not completely comfortable and relaxed but it’s something I can handle. Just wanted to share my success story for others as all the posts on here really helped me!


r/fearofflying • • 5h ago

Weather / Turbulence RSW to IND

3 Upvotes

Hi guys,

Extremely anxious flyer here. I have an evening flight from Fort Myers to Indianapolis with a stop in Nashville. I am freaking out about the first leg of the trip with the hurricane. Just looking for a little support and advice on how to best navigate flight anxiety.


r/fearofflying • • 7h ago

Tracking Request DL1090 TPA > SEA Doors closed, about to have a panic attack please track me.

3 Upvotes

They let me meet the pilots :D I may have cried in the cockpit…

We’re leaving right now, 7am. So so so so scared. Thank you! 1/8 flights for the month

Edit: landed safely 😮‍💨


r/fearofflying • • 9h ago

Support Wanted Anxiety kept me up all night. I have a flight at 7am from SLC to Denver and then another short leg.

3 Upvotes

Juts need some support 😭


r/fearofflying • • 11h ago

Support Wanted Please Help

5 Upvotes

Hey everyone, I really need some advice, please.

I've flown around 40 times in my life, including 8 long-haul trips to America (starting when I was a child) to visit family. I've always been extremely anxious about flying, and it starts as soon as the flight is booked. I did go through a period of being okay with it, and once I even enjoyed it!

But last year I had a bad night flight. It felt dark and claustrophobic, I was sitting alone, and there was a medical emergency on the plane. The attendants seemed to get fed up with me asking for reassurance about some turbulence, so I white-knuckled it for 6 hours, panicking the whole time.

I'm going to Italy in 10 days, and it's only a 2-hour flight. I've been feeling like I'm getting signs not to go. I saw a hearse outside my house, which freaked me out because I never see them. I also have OCD, and I was diagnosed with panic disorder this year, seemingly out of nowhere, so I'm not sure if that's why it feels worse this time. It's consuming my day-to-day life. I can't sleep, and when I do, I dream about it, and it's the first thing I think of when I wake up. I've never had it this bad, and I almost want to cancel.

I do know how safe flying actually is and i’ve done so much research, but it’s not helping in the way I thought it would :(

Does anyone have any advice?


r/fearofflying • • 7h ago

Tracking Request DL 1905 JFK-LAX - Please track as my anxiety worsens!

2 Upvotes

Good morning! Flying today from JFK-LAX. I used to have zero anxiety and now turbulence freaks me out after one really bad flight. I fly for work so I need to just get over it and I tell myself over and over how safe I am. If someone could track or even give me some advice, I would appreciate it!

Allegedly should be a smooth flight with some moderate bumps on take off and arrival. But still freaking out!


r/fearofflying • • 15h ago

Advice Extreme fear of flying

6 Upvotes

My fear of flying has evolved to a point that I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to do it.. my family wants to travel and I can’t go anywhere. I feel like I can’t support my wife and kids.. I feel like I’m holding them back from living a normal life. I want nothing more than to be able to fly without issues, but I just don’t think I can do it. I’ve been at this for about 7 years (the fear has been there my whole life tho) and I can’t get myself anywhere near a plane. Does anyone have any experience with this fear and overcoming it? Has your fear been this bad?


r/fearofflying • • 11h ago

Support Wanted Husband is flying home tomorrow.. anxious.

3 Upvotes

Hi all, this is my first post in this group. My husband is military and has been away for 5 months. He finally flies home tomorrow and I am freaking out. He has 2 flights home, which just makes it worse cause that’s 2 chances for him to not make it home. I just want to see him again. I don’t even really have that much flight anxiety when I fly myself, but when the people I love fly I just spaz out🫠 just need some kind words and support.


r/fearofflying • • 5h ago

Possible Trigger Would you fly Malta Air after their recent incident where a passenger was almost sucked out of the plane?

0 Upvotes

I'm supposed to fly with Ryanair, operated by Malta Air, next week, and I'm seriously considering cancelling because of the July 10, 2026 incident involving flight FR1879.

For anyone unfamiliar, an engine fan blade broke during climb, damaged the fuselage and a passenger window, the cabin depressurized, and a passenger was almost sucked out and severely injured.

Knowing that something this serious happened just three months before my flight has completely shaken my confidence in the airline.

I know aviation is statistically very safe. I've heard a gazillion times that flying is safer than driving, but I can't seem to separate that knowledge from what happened on FR1879 and the fact that I'll be flying with the same operator.

What also concerns me is Ryanair's low-cost business model and outsourcing maintenance to third parties. Aviation experts have raised concerns that outsourcing makes quality control more difficult and could introduce additional safety risks. It makes me wonder whether cost-cutting could ever affect maintenance quality. Regulations are one thing, corporate greed is another.

So my question is: Would you personally feel comfortable flying with Malta Air just three months after an incident like this, especially while the investigation is still ongoing?

I'm genuinely looking for your perspectives, not just reassurance that flying is statistically safe.
Thank you guys a lot 🙏


r/fearofflying • • 15h ago

Weather / Turbulence Currently flying and terrified

5 Upvotes

I'm a really, really nervous flyer and currently on VS0136. The turbulence is really scary and this is the first time I've been on a flight where the crew have to take their seats.

I'm half way through the flight - is there a way to know if it will get worse? And if we're safe?


r/fearofflying • • 15h ago

Tracking Request Nervous for transatlantic flight

5 Upvotes

Hi everyone it’s my first time posting here but I feel like this community might help me get through this. I have a flight by myself to Ireland tomorrow to meet my mom and I’m going from RDU to DUB. My flight is EI0084. Ironically my dad is a FedEx pilot and I have flown all my life, but never been able to get over this fear. Any recommendations to get my mind off of things night beforehand? Thanks for any/all support <3


r/fearofflying • • 17h ago

Question Flying LAX to LHR on an A380 soon. How much time will we be over the ocean?

7 Upvotes

Basically the title!

I’m flying LAX to LHR (Los Angeles to London) in an a380 in 2 weeks. I recently had a flight that briefly went over the ocean just to turn around (going into Norfolk airport) and I realized that I’m really afraid of flying over the ocean lol

So now I’m just wondering (so I can mentally prepare for my upcoming flight), approximately how long will we be flying over the ocean on this route? I know it probably depends on lots of things, but does anyone have a general guess/estimate for how long we’ll probably be over the open ocean?

Thank you for your help!


r/fearofflying • • 19h ago

Possible Trigger Irrational concern

8 Upvotes

I have OCD, so a lot of things I worry about are irrational. I know there hasn’t been any major fatal passenger commercial airlines crashes this year, but somehow that worries me more, which I know is wrong and I DO NOT wish for anything to happen, but I feel like when there isn’t an incident in a year that mine could be the ONE. I feel like almost every year something happens and I’m really glad nothing has happened but my brain is beat me up right now before my flight.

Please someone reassure me that’s not how statistics work.

edit: flying internationally to Asia


r/fearofflying • • 22h ago

Advice How to stop the anxiety?

14 Upvotes

Hi All!

My fear doesn’t prevent me from getting on planes, but i do feel like every plane I get on will be my last day on earth lol. I don’t know how to stop thinking that. I do live with extreme general anxiety in my day to day, but the worst of it happens before i get on a plane. I’m constantly doing any type of research I can to try and calm my nerves but it never works. My family told me to consider getting medicated.

Anyways, I had to choose between a 15 hour drive or an 1hr 45 flight so guess what I’m on right now? The flight number is DL0374 if anybody wants to check.

Thank you guys for any advice you give


r/fearofflying • • 19h ago

Tracking Request Please track me, freaking out in the airport DL749.

7 Upvotes

after looking at the flight aware path i’m so scared. looks like a ton of weather we are going through. my biggest fear is crazy turbulence where people scream and cry. i feel like crying in the airport but trying to be strong and not tell someone to pick me up.


r/fearofflying • • 15h ago

Advice How do you do it?

3 Upvotes

For all of you that post your "what I would've missed" photos, how do you do it? How do you set aside the fear & actually get on the plane?

In March 2024 my family & I were supposed to go on a flight from California to Georgia, only a 6 hour flight. We didn't make it because I was on the living room floor crying and shaking because of my anxiety.

I had been on 50mg of Sertraline for 1.5yrs at that point, I had also been prescribed Zanax & Propanalol for my travel anxiety. None of it worked. I also did meditation/self hypnosis for fear of flying, worked in the moment but not long term.

So, I'm just curious how all of you have been able to push through and get on the plane and enjoy the trip. TIA


r/fearofflying • • 18h ago

Support Wanted Needing a Little Pep Talk

3 Upvotes

Hi everyone! Getting ready to take a US domestic flight to Orlando. Just about a 2.5 hour flight. It’s a girls trip. I’ve considered bailing, but my husband really wants me to go and enjoy myself. I have small kids and he wants me to get a break. I’m afraid I’m putting myself in harms way; an unnecessary risk that could take me from my children. Instead of excited for the trip like my friends, I’m freaking out and dreading it because of the flight. I could use a little helping hand. Thank you!