In this day and age air travel is becoming incredibly common.  We could be traveling to another city for a business meeting or escaping for a well-deserved vacation, air travel is here to stay.  But a lot of people today are afraid to fly or otherwise have phobias or anxieties revolving around air travel, much like others experience as panic attacks while driving or sleep panic attacks.

What you need to understand about fear of flying (also known as aerophobia) is that it has its roots in many potential places, not just simply fear of the act of flying itself.  Some people could be fearful about falling from such a high altitude, while others might get anxious about the cramped spaces that are common on airplanes  Others might be unable to trust the flight crew to handle the plane, while news stories of recent plane disasters could make others anxious.  Someone could be afraid to fly for literally countless reasons.

What sorts of advice can a person take to heart to make flying a more enjoyable thing?

First, try to get a good grasp of exactly what part of flying scares you the most.  Can you think of anything that could spark this fear?  Might it be related to something frightening or stressful in your childhood?  It helps to know as much about your fear as possible so that you can be better equipped to handling it and moving past it and overcome the anxiety you face when you fly.

Sometimes you will find that the more you know about aviation, the more your mind will be at ease.  Sometimes fear can result from not understanding how airplanes work or how something so large and heavy can stay in the air.  Do your best to find a book or other resource that explains this in an easy to understand way.

Find a support group.  Do you think your friends or family will be understanding?  Maybe they can be a good resource of support.  Consider looking up internet message boards where you can meet other people and share experiences and stories as well as learn new techniques to deal with anxiety and stress better.  If you have money you might be able to find help from a psychologist or therapist that practices in your area.

You’re not alone.  Plenty of people are afraid to fly.  Many of them have been able to overcome the problem.  Air travel should be exhilarating, taking you to far off destinations and exotic places.  And it will be after you put your fear of flying behind you!