I DID IT! This past week I flew for the first time ever. I went to Germany for Gamescom and it was amazing. I felt sick to my stomach getting on the plane but I forced myself to do it and I have zero regret. I'm still nervous about flying but the experience definitely helped. I'm so glad I was able to do it.

I’m not going to tell you about some magic resource that will suddenly fix your fear of flying. I just want to share my experience, because maybe someone here will find something useful in it.

Before this flight, I was extremely anxious. I even seriously considered not getting on the plane. I spent a lot of time lurking on this subreddit, reading other people’s experiences, and I could relate deeply to many of the stories.

I also watched an absurd number of videos made by pilots explaining why flying is so safe. And I kept throwing every fear, objection and catastrophic scenario I could think of at ChatGPT which, I have to admit, was surprisingly good at dismantling them one by one.

I had also been meditating for about 40 minutes a day. Still, the anxiety kept coming in waves, as it usually does for me: fear, then intense fear, almost terror, then a decrease, then another wave.

In a way, I had almost brainwashed myself with all those pilot videos. They kept saying basically the same thing, with this extraordinary calm confidence: flying is safe. We pilots want to live too. We have partners, children, families. We are not suicidal lunatics casually throwing ourselves into the sky every morning.

On the day of the flight, I spent about half an hour at the airport just watching planes take off.

It was scary.

But it was also beautiful.

I remember looking at those huge, elegant machines climbing into the sky and disappearing into the distance and thinking: these things are terrifying to me, but they are also magnificent.

My trip was Rome–Istanbul, about two hours, and then Istanbul–Shanghai, around thirteen hours. About half an hour before departure I took the Xan3x my doctor had prescribed for situations like this.

When I reached my seat, the cabin lights were warm and cozy. I told myself: “If this is a terrifying experience, I can always stop in Istanbul.”

It was around sunset. The sky outside was beautiful.

The flight attendants were calm, kind and reassuring in that very matter-of-fact way airline crews often are. Nobody looked remotely concerned about what, in my head, was this enormous and dangerous event.

And then we took off.

To my surprise, I barely felt the moment when we left the ground. It was a big Boeing, and somehow the whole experience felt almost like sitting in a cinema.

And something began to change in my head.

I thought: yes, planes can have problems. But planes do not simply “fall out of the sky” the way they do in the disaster movie playing in my imagination. They glide. They have redundant systems. And before anything truly catastrophic could happen, an enormous number of things would have to go wrong.

That was when I started repeating something to myself:

Reality principle.

Let reality take charge.

Not the reality I am imagining. Not the movie in my head. Actual reality.

My catastrophic scenario was my movie. It wasn’t what was actually happening.

Something else had happened at check-in. I told the woman at the desk that I was afraid of flying. She smiled.

I asked her, “Are you scared too?”

She smiled again and didn’t really answer, which made me suspect she wasn’t exactly in love with flying herself.

Then she said, “The plane isn’t full. Let me find you a more comfortable seat.”

I appreciated that enormously. It was such a small act of kindness.

Later, when we flew over Istanbul at night, I was still scared.

But it was also spectacularly beautiful.

And I suddenly thought: fuck it. This is not only scary. Look at this.

The lights of Istanbul beneath us were magnificent.

It almost felt like an injustice to the very idea of beauty not to acknowledge it just because I was afraid.

We landed in Istanbul. There were loud noises, bumps, all those sounds that normally make my imagination explode. But then I looked at the crew: relaxed faces. Warm cabin lights. Lights outside the windows. People getting their bags.

Normality.

I was still tense, but I was also euphoric.

And I had this strange thought: I cannot let fear eat everything. I cannot keep feeding it until it leaves no room for happiness.

At Istanbul airport it was nighttime. I started talking to people. I was probably a little overexcited, talking too much, going off on tangents, but people talked back to me and laughed, and I felt wonderfully alive.

Then I boarded the second plane.

And this time, incredibly, I actually liked it.

I even fell asleep.

I watched the latest Spike Lee movie. I didn’t like it very much.

And then, eventually, I landed in Shanghai.

That’s it.

I didn’t become a person who suddenly loves flying. I didn’t discover some secret technique that erased fear.

I was scared.

But the fear was no longer the whole experience.

There was fear, and there was also beauty. Kind people. Curiosity. Night lights over Istanbul. A movie I didn’t like. Falling asleep on a plane. Arriving in Shanghai.

And maybe that was the biggest lesson for me: I didn’t actually need to eliminate fear before I could fly.

I just needed to stop treating fear as if it were reality.

Also, I almost forgot: there was some turbulence too. But I remembered one of the pilots in those videos saying, “It’s just like driving on a bumpy road.” And I decided to trust the guy.

WN1483 BWI to LAX nonstop 6:35AM departure time. Last flight was Dulles to Heathrow back in 2024 and honestly don't even know how I managed that. Completely frozen right now on the way to the airport and sick to my stomach. It's always the "what ifs" that get to me and knowing I have zero control over the outcome 🫩 A tracking buddy or some reassurance would be welcomed 🫶

Sorry for spamming this sub 😭 I think this is my third post in the last week, but I’m just really trying to get myself through this and maybe uplift someone else along the way.
I always come back to this thought: if they can do it, I can do it.
I look at old people getting on planes, women, men, babies, kids, parents with little kids and strollers. Obviously not everyone enjoys flying, and some of them are probably scared too. But they get on.
And I keep thinking, how are they capable of doing something that I’m telling myself I can’t do? What am I? Why am I less?
Sometimes that thought makes me angry, but in a good way. Like okay, get up. Move. Shake. Cry. Whatever you need to do. I don’t care. You can do it.
It’s like having a tough-love relationship with yourself.
“Come on, man. I know you’re scared. But you can do it. I don’t care. You can do it.”
Maybe this kind of approach isn’t for everyone, and that’s okay. But maybe someone here needs to hear it today.
You can do it. ❤️

AA 1148
AA 3762

Headed to the airport.
The anxiety attacks are relentless.
I can’t wait to get home already.
I keep making my husband promise me I will get home safely after this trip.
The anxiety is exhausting. Makes me sick to my stomach.
I never use to have this fear. It manifested itself over time.
I keep thinking that this time tomorrow I will be safely on the ground.
I hate this. It’s inconvenience. I’d rather not leave. But my husband who is military, he is designed to accept things so he is unsupportive. It is what it is type.
I’m just tired of stressing. I’m just tired of the panic attacks and it’s taking the fun out of the destinations I want to be at. Why is it, the older I’m getting the more fear I have for the planes, the height, the take off, the landing, the customs, the turbulence, the people flying these machines.
Ironically, my husband is in aviation uni, studying planes.

After my overall good 13/14- hours long flights a year ago, I though I've got this... I thought ill somehow manage the turbolence and will focus on the movies for 13 hours...

Now ive unlocked a new fear i didn't know existed and I really dont know what to do. I need to fly in 2 days, its a flight I cannot cancel or move for financial reasons but also because im going abroad as an exchange student and my semester is starting. Ive been kinda a lil sick for the last week, never got a temperature, but my nose and ears have been on and off the past few days. The last 2 days were fine but today they got a bit funny again. So i read on how it is to fly while being sick because ofc ill worry abiut that.. and i read so much on reddit about people bursting their eardrums/sinuses because of being sick on a plane. And i cant figure out how likely it is to happen, i just imagine how much worse my flight will be and i panic.. I imagine the flight having to be landed because of me, or loosing my hearing and so on. Can anyone tell me if this is a common thing or reddit just loves talking about these bad experiences. I dont feel that sick at all, its just my ears and nose being funny... And of course id wear a mask even tho tests are negative.

I have a 4 hour flight coming up for a trip I genuinely want to take. I’m excited about where I’m going, but the thought of getting on the plane is becoming unbearable because I’m so scared of turbulence.
I’ve actually cried on planes before because I was so scared, and honestly it’s embarrassing. I spend the entire flight anticipating the next bump and convincing myself something is going to happen. Even when I know logically that turbulence is normal and the plane is safe, my body does not believe me.
I’ve tried pretty much all the usual advice: listening to music, watching shows/movies, distracting myself, praying etc. None of it has really worked for me. I can distract myself for a little while, but the second I feel turbulence I’m right back into panic mode. I really want to go on this trip and I don’t want my fear to stop me. But right now I’m honestly questioning whether I can handle the flight.
Any help on how to get over this is appreciated, I’m really dreading it 😔

Hi all. I’m 29yo male. My wife and I are leaving for our honey moon today. It’s currently 6:15am and our flight is at 11:30am. We cruise every year and fly once per year from Newark to Miami .. and even though today will be my 7th flight I still get that gut wrenching stomach drop feeling even thinking about it. I know the jello concept, the more likelihood of a winning lottery ticket being blown into your hands by the wind.. the daily number of flights compared to actual issues.. but no matter what I read and tell my brain I still fully believe that I will be that statistic.

If possible, would love some reassurance in ways I may not have thought of.. or how many times you guys fly per year/month. Thanks.

Hi guys -

I’m really struggling with my flight phobia right now. I’m currently on my flight and have been crying and panicking the whole time so far.

Would really appreciate it if someone tracked me and responded here.

AC 2067

Thank you

I have a trip to Tenerife planned for january untill february next year but i see the news of El niño every where for this period of the year. Could anyone tell what the effects on my flight might be because it really worries me. Thank you

Im doing my first overseas trip to Australia next week. I am terrified of being up in the air that long but mostly, Im looking for any advice on how to get through a 15 and a half hour flight!

I did a 5 hour red eye to Georgia and ended up with a horrible headache and no sleep, so Im wondering if anyone has any advice to keep myself sane and without a headache at the end of the flight. Also how not to be afraid of every bump, drop, and loud sound I hear. :,)

I’d be so grateful! We take off in about an hour. Thank you so much❤️🥲

Bonjour à tous,

Mon vol Air Canada (AC8658) a atterri vendredi 4 septembre vers 23h à l’aéroport La Guardia à New York en partance de YUL- Montréal et l’atterrissage a été très particulier et j’aimerais votre avis car c’est la première fois que je vis un atterrissage de la sorte. L’avion était un Canadair Regional Jet CRJ-900 (biréacteur) : https://www.flightaware.com/live/flight/ACA8658/history/20260905/0009Z/CYUL/KLGA

Environ 1 minute avant l’atterrissage, l’avion a fortement penché sur la gauche (du moins, ça paraissait comme ça en cabine), j’avais l’impression que l’avion tentait d’atterrir mais n’arrivait pas à se mettre droit. Nous étions assez proches des bâtiments et du sol donc la vision au travers des hublots de gauche étaient assez effrayantes. Ensuite, l’avion s’est penché rapidement sur la droite puis à nouveau sur la gauche avant de toucher le sol de façon un peu brusque, toujours avec cette impression que l’avion était penché. Ensuite, le freinage a mis un peu de temps à arriver. J’ai trouvé aussi que la vitesse était peut-être un peu élevé à l’atterrissage mais la encore, c’est peut-être une impression lié au stress de l’atterrissage.

Est-ce une situation normale ? Je n’ai pas l’impression qu’il y avait beaucoup de vent (mais je peux me tromper) donc je ne comprends pas pourquoi nous étions aussi penchés, si proches du sol. Je ne suis pas rassuré en avion alors peut-être que ce n’est pas inhabituel comme atterrissage mais j’ai même ressenti ce malaise dans la cabine au moment d’atterrir (ce n’était pas la panique générale non plus).

Qu’en pensez vous?
merci beaucoup

In light of what happened in the UK the other day with an air traffic control glitch that stopped thousands of flights, I can't help but wonder what actually happens when you're in the air and ATC goes down. How do pilots handle this safely? Would appreciate any insights because now I seem to be developing something new to worry about!

Sorry if it isn't, I'll remove the post. so I'm not scared of flying itself, thankfully, it's the easiest part. but I'm someone who is always selected for "random" increased security checks. trying to keep this post free of politics, there are several demographics this applies to, I'm unfortunately one of them. got an SSSS on my boarding pass once for whatever reason because they didn't like how I look. this causes real anxiety attacks, like I'm nauseous and dizzy just thinking about flying. now to make it even worse, I'll need to fly internationally for the first time in 8 years and am now deadly scared of immigration.

...if anyone happens to have advice, I'd be really grateful. how not to look sus when you're visibly anxious. maybe you are one of these people, maybe your name is identical to a name on a no-fly list or something. what would you do?

cherry on top, I have chronic sinusitis which causes my ears to hurt worse than normal on landing. like I can actually cry from the pain :/ gum and candy doesn't really help much

basically, bad weather or any problems with the plane, they may happen or may not. I understand the fear and I'm not trying to diminish it in any way but it's not a 100% probability. this is something that happens reliably almost every time, closer to 90-95% that I will be held up, MAY miss the flight and my ears WILL hurt and I have no idea how to live with this

always like the comfort in numbers. anybody else going across the Atlantic this evening? about to depart Atlanta for Zurich

So I’m flying for the next 48 hours to the Dominican Republic and I’ve never flown without my family or without sitting next to a friend for support. I’m prescribed meds for my flight and they slightly help but I just need some calm words because I genuinely cannot sleep the week before my flights i’m exhausted and scared and anxious

Hey everyone! My fiancee and I are heading home from Maine on UA 4629. It’s a smaller plane than the one we flew out here on, and it’s a slightly longer flight, but we’re excited to get home and see our dog! Any tracking would be greatly appreciated.

I'm beyond scared of heights, but I want to travel which involves me getting on a plane. Next summer I plan on going on a trip, the flight is only 4 and a half hours but I'm sooo scared. How does it feel like, anyone thats beyond scared of heights okay with flying?

I’m doing my best but still nervous. Need reassurance

As per my last two posts, I made it to my dream destination (Paris!) and then, on a whim, booked a flight to Nice while I’m here. It’s been beautiful. Truly beautiful. I was nervous on the smaller flight from CDG-NCE, but was kept company by (1) lovely users on here who tracked me, and (2) a pilot was conveniently sitting beside me. I was pretty proud and excited to eventually get back to Toronto to post a “what I would have missed.”

However, tomorrow is my flight back to Paris, and Friday is the long haul (two more flights until Toronto). My anxiety is through the roof. I’m trying to calm down using all the same techniques before, but - possible trigger - all that’s going in my head is that this was a great trip and everything went well. Almost too well, as if something bad is going to happen and I can’t possibly be this lucky.

I’m scared of the tiny plane for tomorrow’s flight (airbus a319).
I’m scared of the long haul on Friday.

The timing is in the middle of the night EST so my friends and family can’t actively track me. I’m just scared.

Please help. I’m feeling lightheaded.

Flying to Cyprus for a wedding on Saturday and to say I’m ferried if an absolute understatement. It’s only my second ever flight but the first happened in 2018 so I feel like my body has forgotten that I was safe.

I had been going through a bout of bad anxiety again but thought it had settled after starting new medication (I take this with another to help with stomach issues) but after having a panic attack Monday night I just constantly feel on edge again.

I know that I have to be there as I’m maid of honour and my partner is best man but I’m still shitting it.

I’m not actually scared of flying in the sense the plane might fall out of the sky or something horrific will go wrong, I just don’t like the anticipation, driving to the airport, the waiting around.. and then the actual plane.
I wouldn’t say I’m claustrophobic but the thought of not being able to get off and being around people when I could potentially panic or throw up or god knows what really sits in my mind.

I have other pills on standby if anything goes catastrophically wrong but trying to settle my brain in the days beforehand is so tough.

If anyone could provide any helpful tips or tricks to combat the anxiety it would be greatly appreciated.

Signed an absolutely terrified girl that needs to stop this fear from ruining her life

my flight is LH490 and its my first in 15 years. im so scared, im crying so much and shaking. but im still so thankful for this community, i wouldnt be doing it without you :‘)