However, these fears are rooted in misconceptions or a lack of facts. Here are several of the common reasons to feel that flying is scary and ways to deal with them. Around the world, the safety of aircraft keeps improving. The International Air Transport Association reported that in , the airline industry saw its safety record improve yet again. There were The odds of being in a plane accident are about 1 in 11 million compared to about 1 in 5, for a car accident.
However, many people still deal with anxiety and think flying is too scary to try. Some tips that can help lessen that anxiety include the following. Those who are recovering from an injury, recently experienced a health emergency or want to fly after surgery often fear getting on a plane. However, it is possible to fly in all these situations, especially if you have the right support. Instead, be thankful, because those flexing wings are like shock absorbers working to smooth out the bumpy ride on a dirt country road.
Plus, these days, technology is used to predict areas of turbulence so that pilots can avoid them and provide the smoothest ride possible. They make strange noises and provide unique sensations. They're complex. So comfort yourself by learning how planes are designed to withstand emergencies. Fresh air is continually pumped into the plane — the cabin air is refreshed every three minutes — and any recycled air is pushed through HEPA filters that remove Also, the air in a cabin typically flows from the ceiling to the floor, not from front to back, so contaminants are not typically swirling around.
Of course, if your seatmate sneezes, you could become infected, but those odds can be lowered with mask usage, which is a requirement on all airlines. It might sound counterintuitive, but arming yourself with knowledge of past aviation incidents might help you feel more at ease on a flight. Fear of flying, and flight-related demand for anti-anxiety medication, often seem to increase after plane crashes make it into the news.
In particular, the Malaysia Airlines flight , which completely disappeared, continues to haunt people with a fear of flying because it lacks closure. I believe that the Germanwings flight , which crashed Mar. It has a fix, and the fix is already in place in the US.
When a pilot needs to leave the cockpit, protocol calls for a flight attendant to enter the cockpit and remain inside by the door. This way, there are two people in the cockpit at all times, and if necessary, the flight attendant can open the cockpit door for the returning pilot. Since these protocols will likely be put into place across Europe, the Germanwings crash may seem a less daunting worry.
Anticipatory anxiety can be worse than flight anxiety; anything that rules out one more source of anticipatory anxiety—in this case, a change in protocol—goes a long way toward giving anxious passengers relief. After all, anyone boarding a plane is putting their life in the hands of an unknown pilot and co-pilots, and giving up their ability to escape from the situation. They should know that there are ways to train the mind to inhibit its stress reaction, and to reliably control panic.
We welcome your comments at ideas qz. Knowledge of what to expect is a strong way to alleviate fears. The simulator also helps explain the two types of turbulence. According to an article in Slate , the last plane crash due to turbulence alone as opposed to resulting human error or a freak mechanical problem was back in Once you understand the mechanics of flight, it starts to feel less alien.
But there are other ways to psychologically prepare yourself for a smooth flight. Is it for vacation? Spending good times with friends or family? Keep your eye on the goal, as the flight is usually a means to a happy one. Try to write down your impressions, do some art therapy, play games Candy Crush or puzzles occupy the mind nicely or chat with willing neighbors.
The main point is the flight is a means to an end—and that end is usually a happy one. Focus on what the flight allows you to do. And not skiing. He lives in Slovenia with his family and hairless dog, Eyck.
Contributors About Subscribe. Scared of flying? While flying phobias exist, this mode of transport remains one of the safest ways to travel, even taking into account incidents on small aircraft.
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