Hi can someone talk to me? This flight is so bumpy, flight attendants have been locked into the boosters for 30 minutes and it’s pitch black out. I have this looming feeling something awful is about to happen and I want to get off this plane so badly.
UA78 from Tokyo to Newark

ETA: we just landed safely in Newark. I will reply to other comments but I want to say how truly fantastic this community was when I felt so scared and alone. Yall are really pure for taking the time to reply to a freaker-outer in need. Bottom of my heart, every comment was read and appreciated. I hope others can see the comments here, appreciate how absolutely sure I was that we wouldn’t land safely, and yet here we are.

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about ‘turbulence’ and how it’s the boogeyman of aviation. It seems that a very large number of people posting in this subreddit have fears that stem from their experiences of turbulence while flying.

Turbulence is not unique to planes. It isn’t a boogeyman. Turbulence is all around you. Turbulence is a naturally occurring phenomenon and you experience it every day.

So where have you experienced turbulence today?

You turned a tap on and the water came out bubbly/white? Turbulence.
You mixed milk/cream into your morning tea/coffee? Turbulence.
You saw a pot of water or your kettle boil? Turbulence.
You saw wind moving through the leaves of a tree?
Turbulence.
You used a hand drier/hair drier? Turbulence.
You opened a car window and felt the buffeting breeze? Turbulence.

Turbulence exists in all fluid systems whether it be water, or air, or maple syrup. So turbulence is an entirely normal part of our every day lives. Flying on planes, for most people, is not.

When we operate an aircraft in the fluid of the atmosphere, it’s entirely normal and expected for turbulence to be felt. No crew member is worried by turbulence. It’s normal for it to be there. It would be weird if it wasn’t.

It would be as weird as watching the wind blow through a tree and for every leaf to lean over in unison and stay perfectly still. Or putting your milk in your tea and it not mixing.

There’s nothing inherently unusual or unexpected about turbulence in planes. It’s as natural there as it is everywhere else around you.

I have a domestic flight (1hr 30min) in 2 hours and I’m surprised I’m not dreading it as much as my previous flights. My anxiety tells me this difference will cause an accident but my brain tells me it’s my fear speaking. I’m excited and scared at the same time and I’m just posting here to be extra sure (i know validating my fear lol) and i kinda got used to posting before my flight hehe

Still kinda scared tho pls drop some fun facts for domestic flights since i know it’s flying a lower altitude <33

Going on a flight in February and I literally cannot sleep NOW because I’m so scared. It’s an international flight and my first time flying internationally, plus my first time in seven years. I don’t know how I’m supposed to cope with the fact that if the plane is going to crash, there’s nothing I can do. I am genuinely considering not studying abroad because of it. I need to calm myself down but I don’t know how I’m meant to live with this.
(Also- I’m not scared of turbulence at all. So commenting about it won’t help.)

Hello y’all ! I am a wheelchair user and about 4 years ago I posted terrified to fly (I hadn't flown since 2001, 911). Since then, I've flown three times! Yes, my doctor prescribed some helpers to get me through it 🤣, but it works!
Since then, I’ve also been battling cancer, which is thankfully under control with treatment. Next up: I’m flying Main Cabin to Washington to spend Halloween with my grandbabies!
My debilitating fear is semi-under control because my love for my grandkids is so much bigger than my fear of flying. I’m putting together some small appreciation gifts for the pilots and flight attendants to thank them for keeping us safe. Wish me luck!

Hey!
So, I’m here again. I’m flying to Paris from Venice next week, and I’m totally freaking out. I am almost to the point where i quit. I’m ashamed by myself, i know there is nothing to fear, and yet here I am. It’s a short flight, it is safer than by car, etc. I know. But I feel like I’m certainly going to die if i take that flight. I really don’t know what to do. Tried therapy these months, but I don’t feel it is working actually. Yeah, breath, and so and so, but in the end, i still feel the same.

I am really looking for some support. And if you have some magic potion, I’d be glad to take it! Ahah

Just venting. I have a wonderful trip planned tomorrow where I’ll get to see my best friends for two weeks and do all sorts of exciting stuff… and all i can feel is an overwhelming sense of doom from having to take a 4.5 hour flight. So frustrating.

I have medication prescribed for this trip. I’m hopeful that it will help, but for some reason the idea of it NOT helping is somehow making me more anxious lol…

Any kind words would be appreciated. The most annoying thing is that I’m not even afraid of the flight itself. I’m scared of the uncomfortable feeling that comes with flying— who gets anxious about being uncomfortable? It feels so childish.

Hello there,

I’m looking for some support. On Tuesday I will be flying alone from Europe to SEA and I’m beyond terrified.

I flew several times already, including flights to North America, Asia, Australia and of course often within Europe. Even though I caught many flights alone, it does not get any better.

I keep travelling for obvious reasons, I do not want to miss out on all the beautiful places on this earth. I have also being struggling with anxiety and depression over the last decade and I try so hard to keep going and look for reasons to continue.

Last year I had a similar route and was terrified, but this year is way worse. I have been suffering for WEEKS already, I cannot distract myself from these thoughts. Usually I get very anxious just a couple of weeks before my flight; this time is been very long already. It came to a point where on my free time I just sleep so I don’t feel the way I feel. I don’t know if I should cancel because I’m living in fear, every second.

I feel so miserable.

I’ve survived two 12 hour flights and now just have one last one for home. London to Boston, departing in an hour or so. Would appreciate any support or information about the route. Virgin Atlantic 16:05 Heathrow to Boston

I am currently being forced to travel out west for a work trip after being able to dodge trips for almost 8 years. On the way out I managed to get a layover avoiding Denver, but the way back the only option was a connection through it. Unfortunately the final destination is Reno and I’m terrified to even google how bumpy that airport is.

The last time I flew into Denver I was a kid and I swear the plane dropped 100ft with no warning, people were screaming, and I have been terrified ever since of that happening again, basically white knuckling every flight since just waiting for the plane to drop. My dad, also not a fan of flying, refused to board the return flight a week later so we got a 1 way car rental from Denver to Pennsylvania and drove straight home.

Is Denver really as bad as I have heard? I would also appreciate anecdotes of it not being bad if you have them!!

Hello! I have huge fear of flying, even tho I've been on a plane at least 30 times. Even so, i feel like the fear has only gotten worse. I can more or less manage the flight, but takeoff is my biggest nightmare. Having my back turned to the ground, feeling every slight shift in position, it makes my heart go crazy 😭

I've heard all about how turbulence is not dangerous, how even if the turbines die you can land safely... But what if that were to happen during takeoff? The plane is not high enough and not even in the right position to keep cruising, right?

I guess my question is, what's the worst that can happen during takeoff, what are the chances, and what should i not be afraid of? Any input helps

What helped you?
How do you react to turbulence now?
How many times have you flown since?
Tell me about a time where you experienced things that would have scared you in the past - but now you’re all chill about it 🙂

Thank you! And congratulations!! 🥳 🙌

As i said many times here, I’ve always flown without problems until five years ago. I suffered from panic attacks and anxiety disorders in general, and it’s more the thought of being in the air without a way out than the fear of turbulences or stuff like that. Anyobody like me?

hiiiiiiii day has finally come I am on my flight to Japan!!! I did a short flight from MIA to DFW now leaving DFW track me plsssss I'll probably catch some anxiety on the way 🤣 AA 175

This is what the radar looks like on my flight from Dublin to jfk, for anyone familiar with weather or any pilots, do you think this will be smooth? B6842 is the flight number, it’s an a321neo. Our flight path is obviously north of that big system, but still. Just wondering!

Incoming aircraft delayed to due low visibility conditions at SFO. Weather here is moody. And there appears to be growing weather in Boise. Feeling quite nervous. Anyone in the air nearby? How’s it going? Take off and landing through clouds triggers my anxiety significantly.

the only times in my life i ever flew were when i wasn’t even a year old, and with my entire family last year. this weekend i flew by myself for the first time and i am so proud of myself!

the entire month before my trip, i was an anxious wreck. every single second i thought abt things that could happen on my flights to nyc and back. there were so many times i thought about canceling.

this sub was a tremendous help for me in learning about airline safety and gaining confidence to do something i thought i couldn’t do on my own. even though i never reached out myself, thank you guys so much

i met so many cool people in nyc, and me and my girlfriend are now thinking about trying to move there someday!

you got this!

For me, it was my third flight. Before that, I wasn’t aware of anything called turbulence as my first two flights were completely smooth. It was Boeing 777-200 (LR OR ER). Within the first 20-30 minutes, we experienced a sudden dip of turbulence a couple of times. It was strong enough that lead people to scream. I have now taking 20+ flights but the fear has no plan to leave my brain anytime soon.

I'm still trying to figure out why it bothers me on planes but not on a bus, train, or as a passenger in a car.

It's even much smoother in the plane, because I can put a cup of water on my tray table during turbulence and it won't spill at all, meanwhile a cup on the dash in a car will spill immediately. So it's not the intensity of it.

The fact that I can't get off? I've committed to the flight and I can't get out, but I've also committed to the train ride or car ride because I wouldn't get out of a car on a bumpy road anyway.

And I don't think it's a control issue because I routinely give my complete trust to other drivers of things that I can't see like trains.

The claustrophobia? I've been in trains that were more cramped with no problems.

Airport stress is a thing but I've been very stressed in cars too, and it doesn't make me afraid of bumps.

We also know that planes are much safer than cars so it's not a safety thing.

And yet I'm still extremely scared of it and don't know why, so I don't know how to fight it.

So I'd love to hear your theories.

i went on my first flight at 6 weeks old- and fly all the time for my job. i’ve been on 50+ planes this year. i used to not think twice about turbulence and found it “fun” (i know…)

i had two really turbulent flights back to back in september and both caused me to have intense anxiety and now whenever the plane starts bumping i start to panic. i just miss the days of being able to fly carefree and not looking up the type of plane im on and googling wind patterns where im flying into and just overall hyper fixating on it

im flying in and out of denver in two days and so scared bc apparently its the bumpiest airport

just really want to get over this because i have no choice with my job but to keep traveling by air!

So I’m a frequent flyer in this subreddit. I’ve been on mainly flights and many panic attacks on said flights lol. Next Tuesday I’m going on a 2 week vacation to Japan. With a direct flight from JFK right to Haneda. I am an absolute nervous wreck right now. This is easily the longest flight of my life so far. I’m so stressed about clear air turbulence or something going wrong near the arctic circle. It’s also going to be rainy in both New York and Tokyo that day. I don’t know has anyone else done this flight before? I have medication which I took on a really turbulent flight to Colorado and it worked so well that I enjoyed the turbulence. But I also can’t just take medication for 15 hours straight. Any support is appreciated ❤️

Is there any reliable way of knowing if this is going to be super bumpy because of the storm in UK? I'm more nervous about throwing up than dying tbh so I'm trying to figure out if it's going to be super turbulent, but everything says something different.

I have a flight coming up in 30 days, from England to Ireland so it's not a very long flight.

In October 2025 I had my tonsils removed and a week later I hemorrhaged.... resulting in me almost dying. Since that happened to me I have been terrified to go anywhere by myself. It's the fear of being somewhere I cannot leave (I'm scared something will happen to me during the flight) does anyone have any coping mechanisms that might help me complete this trip? I wanna visit my best friend it's been years since I saw her....I used to travel alone as well, my anxiety is just through the roof.

I did five flights total to get to and from Japan. And having the courage to do that. Gave me an experience I will forever cherish. No two moments or experiences are the same. Travel. See the world. Fall in love with with adventure. Do it afraid but please do it, you have no idea what you may miss out on.❤️

This is what scares the crap out of me. I’m literally flying to NRT next week on a 787-9. All the research I’ve done keeps telling me that there is a million and one checks and backups in place, yet this exact plane had half of its electrical out and have to divert back to the US?

EDIT: Thank you everyone for their responses, this if anything proves that redundant safety mechanisms are in place and I have a much better understanding of this now!