I had this happen to me after flying a lot over several years - there were 4 moderate- to very-turbulent flights that I was on in a row. I would be sick before and then get so scared onboard at 32,000+ feet that I would feel like I was going to stop breathing. I was freaked out for a year. Then, after continuing to fly, I saw that I wasn't going to die, that all was safe. I would read my book very carefully when the seatbelt sign went on.

A flight attendent helped me the most of all by saying, "When the Captain has the seatbelt sign on, everyone is seated, the galleys are put away and the crew is seated - that is the safest a plane can be. Nothing will fall on you; you won't fall; the crew are ready to help someone who is ill/injured. That is the safest the cabin is going to be during the entire flight." That pretty much made me realize - I have no control; I want to travel; I have a seat belt and all will be fine.

Fly as much as you want to/can - you'll be fine if you take deep breaths, look around, buckle up and talk through your fears as you overcome them.

Also, if you fly on United, listen to the air traffic control on your headphones on channel 9 - it is the conversation of your pilots with the ground control (although some pilots don't make available to passengers). The things I heard that made me feel better were "Your ride will smooth out in 10 minutes" or "Moderate chop at all flight levels for the next two sectors" or "For smoother, United 926-heavy climb to flight level 39-zero"

Best to you,

JK-SFO