Fear of flying
Apr 10, 2016 | 3:01 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 3
Fear of flying
Hello flyers,
Thank you for your time.
In two months I am moving to the US. I have always had fear of flying but over the last years a worked really hard to cope with it and I should admit that I have some sort of progress. I fly frequently in Europe where the longest flight is around 3 or 4 hours. Sometimes I almost enjoy it, sometimes I am nervous and scared but I do it anyway. Imagining the upcoming 10 hours flight, I just freak out. I read a lot about this issue, I used to visit a therapist and I would love to hear more tips, tricks or some kind of magic from you! Thanks you in advance!
Thank you for your time.
In two months I am moving to the US. I have always had fear of flying but over the last years a worked really hard to cope with it and I should admit that I have some sort of progress. I fly frequently in Europe where the longest flight is around 3 or 4 hours. Sometimes I almost enjoy it, sometimes I am nervous and scared but I do it anyway. Imagining the upcoming 10 hours flight, I just freak out. I read a lot about this issue, I used to visit a therapist and I would love to hear more tips, tricks or some kind of magic from you! Thanks you in advance!
Apr 10, 2016 | 4:03 pm
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: ORD
Posts: 14,773
welcome to Flyertalk. If you can "almost enjoy" a 3-4 hour flight, then I fail to see how a 10 hour flight makes a difference. Or, break your journey into 3 shorter flights. Where are you coming from?
Welcome to America!
Welcome to America!
Apr 10, 2016 | 4:06 pm
#3
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Join Date: Sep 2009
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I don't think three 3-4 hour flights would be easily possible and even if there is such a routing (through Iceland and eastern Canada?), it's likely to be much more expensive and complicated.
Apr 10, 2016 | 6:31 pm
#4
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: ORD
Programs: UA Silver, Marriott Platinum/LT Platinum, Hilton Gold
Posts: 5,639
I have a slight fear of flying, really only in bad weather. But I do get claustrophobic on long flights.
I would recommend flying on the biggest plane possible across the ocean. 747, A380, 777 for example. I find I don't feel turbulence much on the bigger planes, and the width of the plane really helps with the claustrophobia. If you can afford business class, get it. Having a multi-course meal and an entertainment system really helps the time go by.
Lastly, I try to think of the flight in segments. The first 2 hours is takeoff and a meal. The next 4-5 hours I watch a couple movies and maybe sleep a little. The last few hours are preparing for landing, looking out the window at a new country, an arrival meal, and landing.
Good luck, you will do fine. I was so nervous on my first transatlantic flight years ago that I almost got off the plane before we left, because I couldn't take being stuck in a metal tube for 8 hours! Now I go to Europe several times a year on holiday.
I would recommend flying on the biggest plane possible across the ocean. 747, A380, 777 for example. I find I don't feel turbulence much on the bigger planes, and the width of the plane really helps with the claustrophobia. If you can afford business class, get it. Having a multi-course meal and an entertainment system really helps the time go by.
Lastly, I try to think of the flight in segments. The first 2 hours is takeoff and a meal. The next 4-5 hours I watch a couple movies and maybe sleep a little. The last few hours are preparing for landing, looking out the window at a new country, an arrival meal, and landing.
Good luck, you will do fine. I was so nervous on my first transatlantic flight years ago that I almost got off the plane before we left, because I couldn't take being stuck in a metal tube for 8 hours! Now I go to Europe several times a year on holiday.
Apr 10, 2016 | 8:56 pm
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 3
I am coming from Bulgaria. My flight is Sofia -Vienna-Chicago-Sacramento. There is no way to make it shorter so it is what it is.
Apr 10, 2016 | 8:58 pm
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 3
I have a slight fear of flying, really only in bad weather. But I do get claustrophobic on long flights.
I would recommend flying on the biggest plane possible across the ocean. 747, A380, 777 for example. I find I don't feel turbulence much on the bigger planes, and the width of the plane really helps with the claustrophobia. If you can afford business class, get it. Having a multi-course meal and an entertainment system really helps the time go by.
Lastly, I try to think of the flight in segments. The first 2 hours is takeoff and a meal. The next 4-5 hours I watch a couple movies and maybe sleep a little. The last few hours are preparing for landing, looking out the window at a new country, an arrival meal, and landing.
Good luck, you will do fine. I was so nervous on my first transatlantic flight years ago that I almost got off the plane before we left, because I couldn't take being stuck in a metal tube for 8 hours! Now I go to Europe several times a year on holiday.
I would recommend flying on the biggest plane possible across the ocean. 747, A380, 777 for example. I find I don't feel turbulence much on the bigger planes, and the width of the plane really helps with the claustrophobia. If you can afford business class, get it. Having a multi-course meal and an entertainment system really helps the time go by.
Lastly, I try to think of the flight in segments. The first 2 hours is takeoff and a meal. The next 4-5 hours I watch a couple movies and maybe sleep a little. The last few hours are preparing for landing, looking out the window at a new country, an arrival meal, and landing.
Good luck, you will do fine. I was so nervous on my first transatlantic flight years ago that I almost got off the plane before we left, because I couldn't take being stuck in a metal tube for 8 hours! Now I go to Europe several times a year on holiday.
Thanks you very much. I will try this. I am flying with Boeing 777 so it's big enough.
Apr 11, 2016 | 12:55 pm
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: ORD
Posts: 14,773
Vienna to Chicago is the only really long flight - about 10 hours as I recall. I assume you'll be on either United or Austrian. Both are perfectly fine airlines (though Austrian is probably a nicer experience with better food). Bon voyage!
Apr 11, 2016 | 6:36 pm
#8
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: New York, NY
Programs: DL Gold. UA Silver, Marriott Gold, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt (Lifetime Diamond downgraded to Explorist)
Posts: 6,777
The 772 that OS (Austrian Airlines) uses is a great plane for those that feel cramped. The overhead is open making people feel less confined.
Stay hydrated and take walks around the plane if you start feeling anxious. Maybe bring a "calming" tea with you and just ask for hot water. You're far from the only person to have issues with flying. Once you get to Chicago if you're having problems you can always go by rail. It's a long ride but it's an option.
Welcome to America.
Stay hydrated and take walks around the plane if you start feeling anxious. Maybe bring a "calming" tea with you and just ask for hot water. You're far from the only person to have issues with flying. Once you get to Chicago if you're having problems you can always go by rail. It's a long ride but it's an option.
Welcome to America.
Apr 14, 2016 | 10:14 am
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: ORD
Posts: 14,773
The 772 that OS (Austrian Airlines) uses is a great plane for those that feel cramped. The overhead is open making people feel less confined.
Stay hydrated and take walks around the plane if you start feeling anxious. Maybe bring a "calming" tea with you and just ask for hot water. You're far from the only person to have issues with flying. Once you get to Chicago if you're having problems you can always go by rail. It's a long ride but it's an option.
Welcome to America.
Stay hydrated and take walks around the plane if you start feeling anxious. Maybe bring a "calming" tea with you and just ask for hot water. You're far from the only person to have issues with flying. Once you get to Chicago if you're having problems you can always go by rail. It's a long ride but it's an option.
Welcome to America.
Apr 14, 2016 | 3:26 pm
#10
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 2
I have a slight fear of flying, really only in bad weather. But I do get claustrophobic on long flights.
I would recommend flying on the biggest plane possible across the ocean. 747, A380, 777 for example. I find I don't feel turbulence much on the bigger planes, and the width of the plane really helps with the claustrophobia. If you can afford business class, get it. Having a multi-course meal and an entertainment system really helps the time go by.
Lastly, I try to think of the flight in segments. The first 2 hours is takeoff and a meal. The next 4-5 hours I watch a couple movies and maybe sleep a little. The last few hours are preparing for landing, looking out the window at a new country, an arrival meal, and landing.
Good luck, you will do fine. I was so nervous on my first transatlantic flight years ago that I almost got off the plane before we left, because I couldn't take being stuck in a metal tube for 8 hours! Now I go to Europe several times a year on holiday.
I would recommend flying on the biggest plane possible across the ocean. 747, A380, 777 for example. I find I don't feel turbulence much on the bigger planes, and the width of the plane really helps with the claustrophobia. If you can afford business class, get it. Having a multi-course meal and an entertainment system really helps the time go by.
Lastly, I try to think of the flight in segments. The first 2 hours is takeoff and a meal. The next 4-5 hours I watch a couple movies and maybe sleep a little. The last few hours are preparing for landing, looking out the window at a new country, an arrival meal, and landing.
Good luck, you will do fine. I was so nervous on my first transatlantic flight years ago that I almost got off the plane before we left, because I couldn't take being stuck in a metal tube for 8 hours! Now I go to Europe several times a year on holiday.
Pretty inspirational. My company has so many opportunities to travel in Europe and Asia, but I'm afraid of what I don't know right now and that fear is winning. Just started with a pretty tough therapist so I am hoping we have success soon.