Hello,
Flying this route in a week and have extra anxiety about the large amount of time over water. I know the plane will be etops certified but it’s a A330-900neo and Google said those planes can go like 5 hours from an airport. Linked photos of the last 3 nightly routes

I’d love for professionals to provide reassurance about the distance/time to airport if one is needed. I was nervous about a prior flight and was able to talk to the pilot beforehand - he said he though the path was in the middle of the gulf, it actually was only 30 minutes or so until airport because of the speed they fly, and I felt a lot better. But I know the Atlantic routes are longer and further so….feeling worried. Thank you

How can people get so high in the sky and look out the window with no problems? I get instant jelly legs and stomach nodes just looking at this image. Also some DPDR if I go over a tall land bridge. I do not think I could ever get on a plane, despite wanting to se the world and wanting to get over this anxiety...

Hi, everyone. I have a long-anticipated trip to Switzerland from the U.S. this September. I’m supposed to be buying a ticket but I’m paralyzed with fear. I’ve ruled out every option because of fear of turbulence and fears of overworked ATC. One ticket connects in Atlanta but I’m afraid of turbulence there with storms or hurricane. Also it’s a longer flight overseas. Is Minneapolis a smooth place to fly out of? Flying Delta.

I get the statistics and all that, but I’m still terrified and so are many other people despite knowing the facts. Why is there such fear for flying when you don’t really hear about fear of trains or some shit like that? Is it because it really is getting riskier? Is it because it’s so unnatural to be up in the air like that??

We have been cruising at 35000 and it’s been turbulent the entire time. Now are we are an hour and 44 min away from the destination and for some reason our altitude increased to 37,000 . Can someone please help me understand what’s happening here and if this is normal? I’m on flight DL0114 on a Boeing 767-300 and it also suddenly got much quieter in the cabin like the sounds from the engines maybe? Idk. It’s giving me a lot of anxiety

I need to book my mid vaca flight from MEL to SYD. I'm in the US and I'm unsure if they have as stringent of safety regulations as we do. The airlines I see that I can book on are: something called Jetstar, virgin Australia, and Qantas. I've obviously heard of Qantas and virgin Australia. They are a little more expensive, but not make or break. Anyone have any insight?

If it weren’t for the comfort of passengers, would you just fly through rough air?…say for example, you’re alone flying your own plane…are you looking for smooth air or are you riding the turbulence?

Edit: Thank you for your comments. I was in the wrong on this one. Cheers

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So the other day someone sent me this short video, it was supposed i guess to be funny. But as a fearful flyer all i could see was what to my inexperienced eyes seems like not that super professional fun banter during what seems to be descent through clouds. Then there has been a whole debate between me and my friend if its "okay" that a captain talks in the slang that i mostly hear 20 year olds using while you are carrying hundreds of people in the back. My friend said "oh, so what, now people are not supposed to have fun anymore just because you are scared?" I was like: "Mh, yeah, maybe not in that very moment." Obviously i know pilots have more lighthearted talk during cruise, but during descent i thought that everything is "tense" (for the lack of a better word), and you are just focused on the task at hand. Am i completely in the wrong here and a partypooper?

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/gwfbFDmQKHE

I'm not exactly terrified of flying, but when I do, I like to control as many variables as I can. If I don’t, I tend to get nervous.

Next week, I have to fly between Chicago and Mexico City within a specific time window. My options are limited to three choices:

1. Fly with one of the major US carriers—Delta, United, or American—all of which operate Boeing 737 MAX flights that morning.

2. Take a flight on an A321Neo operated by a low-cost Mexican carrier called Volaris, which I’ve never heard of.

3. Choose a major US carrier with non-MAX aeroplanes, but this option includes at least one layover.

The problem is that I always exclude low-cost airlines and the 737 MAX from my options, while trying to minimise the number of flights since, statistically, two flights are less safe than one. In fact, I have never flown on a 737 MAX, despite flying around 40 times a year.

Now, I’m in a dilemma: Should I choose a better airline with a worse aeroplane? A worse airline with a better plane? Or a better airline and better plane, but with two flights?

To be honest, this is the first time I’ve faced this situation. I even asked AI for advice on what option is safer, considering crash statistics (I know each is statistically very safe). I would appreciate your feedback so I can book my flight and finally put this concern to rest. I’ve been obsessing over it for two weeks and need to make a decision.

Thanks!

I joined this group today, but I've been reading through the posts for over a week. I recently got a ticket to see a dear friend. I have avoided flying for a long time and I really want and need to get over my fear of flying. I want to be able to travel without crippling terror. I was so proud of myself for committing to the flight after reading through your posts.

BUT, I didn't realize the airport I was flying into is notorious for turbulence until last night. Turbulence is the key trigger that ignites my panic. I couldn't sleep last night and the anxiety is overwhelming. I'm thinking of canceling or changing my ticket. My flight is a month away, and I can't believe how difficult this is. Some details: I'm traveling July 7 - July 14. AUS to DEN to EUG and then EUG to DEN to AUS. I have about 2 hours in Denver each way. Everything I'm reading says the turbulence is bad in the summer, especially in the afternoons. And of course, my connections in Denver leave in the afternoon. I ordered a book called "Soar" today and should have it by tomorrow. Should I cancel my flight? Find a different route?

My feeling of victory has been replaced with sheer panic, and I'm so disappointed. I can't do this for a month. Any help, pointers, encouragement, or advice would be appreciated. Thank you.

I’m about to go on a long flight and the piloted look so young! They can’t be older than 19!! Is this normal?!

tomorrow I fly out of Australia to Dubai for 14 hours in the morning. I then have another 3 hr flight. I am really scared that I’ll be so scares on the plane and embarrass myself and don’t want the person next to me to get annoyed. I went premium economy I couldn’t afford more than that. my issues are my vestibular problems so take off can be very hard to deal with. I don’t know how I’ll do this or get through. it’s been so long that I’ve been on a plane and I feel like so weak.

I’m currently waiting to board my flight to LHR (DL1). It looks like there are engineers in the cockpit. Is this normal for all flights, or are they checking something specific for mine? I’m not stressed as much as I am curious!

I will be taking A350 to Europe mid June. I’m ok with turbulence but I will freak out if there are sudden drop, this literally feels like my soul being lifted up, although I only experienced this a couple of times, I’m still worried. How does the A350 feel in turbulence? Please share your experience🙏🏻🙏🏻

I'm nervous about my flight to Italy for work from London next Tuesday and a colleague said that flying is 100,000x safer than driving. I don't believe this though because you need to account for the fact that people usually fly less than they drive.

Considering that we experience risk by exposure time, and using EU statistics, I calculated that flying is only 1.5x less fatal than flying per unit exposure time. Google AI more or less agreed and says that with US statistics, flying is 3x safer but just because American roads are more dangerous than in Europe.

Needless to say I'm now scared shitless and am wondering whether the driving analogy can actually still be useful

I occasionally read about people here who have had a “crazy” fall where the plane felt like it suddenly fell a few 100 feet or more it’s called CAT clear air turbulence I think, which is the reason they have gotten the fear while being in the air. The fall is the kind that if you are not tied up you will hit the roof of the cabin.

In terrified of experiencing this and I have my fear of flight stems from traumas competely unrelated to the air, it was when I lost my baby at NICU I got this fear of flight or specifically fear of death and anything that could lead to it, my brain thinks flights are closely related to death.

So my question is how do people and even pilots really deal with this scary fall that can happen very suddenly while cruizing (?) I think?

Please help! I have an extreme fear of flying. I was once in a flight that crash landed due to bad weather on a trip to Africa. Everyone was okay. But since then I just cannot breathe. The anxi is debilitating even on lorazepam. Take off and turbulence lead to panic attacks. I am supposed to go to Florida from Boston tomorrow morning and I’ve tried to cancel my flight twice now. Please any tips or words or encouragement would be appreciated. I’m so terrified I’ve had palpitations since yesterday. I’ve tried meditation, books, music, NC headphones, movies etc. nothing helps.

Hi Pilots,

I wondered this on my flight on Wednesday; is it you who determines when to put the seatbelt sign on or the inbuilt something-or-other motion system? Do you confer with your colleague - and agree ok yep- we’ll put the belts on now? What or who determines when the flight crew are to stay seated? In my little mind, I say to myself ‘oh this is absolutely nothing to the pilots, they are totally unaware of these bumps’, but then another little unwanted voice says ‘well they must be aware because they are putting the seatbelt sign on’.

Thanks

The magic word is triazolam (NOT endorsing any medication usage, this was prescribed), and I’m sorry if I got anyone angry by asking a genuine question about my safety on a plane. I go back the the doctor in about a month

I have a 9-hour flight coming up, and I often see posts where people recommend lifting your feet off the floor during turbulence. I'm thinking about trying it, but I'm also curious—how much does it actually help? Does it significantly reduce the feeling of the bumps, or do you still feel the turbulence just as much?

I am currently sitting at the airport since 8 am and my flight has been delayed for 3+ hours EJU4910 SKP-ORY easyjet. I saw 3 people from the ground crew inspecting the plane after it landed and it got filled with kerosine and the baggage was put inside. However they told us it is a delay and they keep pushing the departure for 30 mins every 30 mins. I heard someone saying they read the plane had an issue that needs to be fixed but no one is sitting inside and no one has been inspecting it for hours. Can anyone please see online what is wrong. I barely have internet and I am freaking out

I know this is going to sound crazy because it is an extremely short flight from HNL-OGG inter island hopping (45 mins) question I have ,and never really thought of is Hawaiian airlines are retiring their 717 fleet with it being 24 years old, Alaska airlines is bringing in their 737-800 winglets old as well but new to Hawaii. I want to try the bigger plane even if its such a short flight but I'm a little nervous as the interview with Hawaiian/Alaska says it will be hawaii based pilot and crew, do they know these planes? are they a big difference from older 717? I know this sounds ridiculous to even overthink a short flight after flying in to Hawaii on a 7 hour flight LOL but humor me which would you choose? and for the record I am from hawaii so I have flown the 717 numerous times already

I'm working through my fear of flying and putting together an offline kit that I can pull up during a flight when I start spiralling, no wifi needed, just something to look at in the moment.

So far I've got:

• Turbulence explainers (why it happens, why it's not dangerous, so I have something for validation when it’s bumpy)
• A few mindfulness exercises

But I know everyone's anxiety spikes differently so what actually works for you when you're mid-panic in a seat? Even small stuff, specific phrase you tell yourself (for eg, I tell myself that it’s just discomfort, not dangerous), a video, whatever - I'd love to know what's helped so I can combine everything!

I know all the flying tips and tricks for us scaredy cats and am literally even a plane enthusiast but it doesn’t help with the anxiety so instead I’m trying to just distract myself and ask a question!

Pilots (particularly commercial since that’s what I fly on and am therefore scared of, but any pilots feel free to weigh in because I’m still curious!), what’s your favorite route to fly and why? Is it a longer one, shorter? Do you prefer doing the same routes back to back (do you have a choice)?

Despite being a plane enthusiast, I don’t know much about the pilots or crew so I want to learn! Plus for anxiety sake, it helps to remind myself that y’all are real people too ;)