Fly Above Fear is a free educational resource about fear of flying, flight anxiety, turbulence and aviation-related anxiety.
We combine clear aviation information with evidence-informed approaches to understanding and managing anxiety. The site was created to help nervous flyers understand what is happening, separate genuine aviation facts from anxious thoughts, and help individuals develop greater confidence before and during a flight.
Content is written or reviewed by Lawrie Jones, a journalist specialising in aviation, engineering and healthcare.
Fly Above Fear is an independent educational resource. It does not provide medical diagnosis, therapy or prescribe medication. If fear or anxiety is significantly affecting your life, consider speaking with a qualified healthcare or mental-health professional.
Explore Fly Above Fear
Whether you’re worried about turbulence, afraid that your plane might crash, experiencing panic before a flight, or simply don’t understand the noises and sensations you experience in the air, start with the topic that feels most relevant to you.
Fear of flying / aviophobia
Fear of flying can involve many different fears: aircraft crashes, turbulence, heights, enclosed spaces, losing control, panic symptoms or simply the feeling that something might go wrong.
Start with:
- Afraid of flying? What to do when fear takes over
- Aerophobia or aviophobia? What the fear of flying is really called
- What causes fear of flying? Q&A with Dr Ravi Gill
- Fly Above Fear’s four-step system
Turbulence anxiety
Turbulence is one of the most common triggers for nervous flyers. Understanding what turbulence is, why it happens and how aircraft and pilots deal with it can help replace fear with understanding.
Read:
- Turbulence explained: what it is, why it happens, and why you’re safe
- Fear of turbulence: facts vs myths
- Can turbulence crash a plane?
- Turbulence levels explained
- Will my flight be turbulent?
- How accurate are turbulence forecasts?
- Why checking turbulence forecasts doesn’t calm anxiety
- What is turbulence penetration speed?
Panic attacks while flying
Panic can feel frightening, particularly when you’re thousands of feet above the ground and believe you cannot escape. Understanding the body’s anxiety response and learning practical techniques can make panic feel more manageable.
Useful resources include:
- Afraid of flying? What to do when fear takes over
- Breathing techniques for in-flight anxiety
- Grounding techniques you can use in the airport and on the plane
- Mindfulness techniques for fear of flying
- Calm anxiety without drawing attention to yourself
Anticipatory anxiety
For many nervous flyers, the hardest part of flying happens before reaching the airport. Anticipatory anxiety may involve repeatedly imagining what might happen, checking forecasts, thinking about turbulence or considering cancelling the flight.
Start with:
- Afraid of flying? What to do when fear takes over
- I have a flight in 3 days – how do I manage my anxiety?
- Pre-flight checklist for anxious flyers
- Learning to accept anxiety while flying
- Why checking turbulence forecasts doesn’t calm anxiety
Fear of plane crashes
Knowing that an aircraft is statistically safe doesn’t always stop the emotional part of the brain from imagining a disaster. Understanding aircraft design, flight systems and how pilots respond to unusual situations can help put those fears into perspective.
Explore:
- The science of flight: why flying is safe
- Can turbulence crash a plane?
- What happens if a plane engine stops?
- What happens if a plane loses cabin pressure?
- Turbulence explained: what it is, why it happens, and why you’re safe
Fear of losing control
Flying involves handing control of the journey to pilots, crew, air traffic control and the aircraft’s systems. For some people, that lack of personal control is itself the trigger for anxiety.
Learn more about:
- What causes fear of flying? Q&A with Dr Ravi Gill
- Turbulence explained: what it is, why it happens, and why you’re safe
- Why checking turbulence forecasts doesn’t calm anxiety
- Learning to accept anxiety while flying
- How to use a fear-of-flying diary
Claustrophobia while flying
A modern aircraft cabin can feel enclosed, particularly when the doors close and you’re unable to leave. Understanding the relationship between confined spaces, perceived control and the body’s stress response can help.
Read:
- Flying with claustrophobia
- Afraid of flying? What to do when fear takes over
- Grounding techniques you can use in the airport and on the plane
- How to choose the best seat if you’re anxious about flying
Aircraft noises
Planes make a surprising number of sounds during a normal flight. Engines change pitch, landing gear moves, flaps extend and retract, and the aircraft can produce unfamiliar creaks, bangs and vibrations.
Knowing what you’re hearing can make these sensations less mysterious.
- Aeroplane noises explained: what every sound is and why you’re safe
- Step-by-step guide to boarding and in-flight announcements
- Afraid of flying? What to do when fear takes over
Takeoff and landing anxiety
Takeoff and landing can be particularly intense because you’re experiencing acceleration, changes in engine power, banking and other sensations all within a short period.
Understanding what happens at each stage can make the experience more predictable.
Explore:
- Afraid of flying? What to do when fear takes over
- Pre-flight checklist for anxious flyers
- Step-by-step guide to boarding and in-flight announcements
- Aeroplane noises explained: What every sound is and why you’re safe
Aviation safety
Understanding how aircraft are designed, operated and monitored can help replace vague fears with factual knowledge.
Read the aviation explainers:
- The science of flight: why flying is safe
- Turbulence explained: what it is, why it happens, and why you’re safe
- Can turbulence crash a plane?
- What happens if a plane engine stops?
- What happens if a plane loses cabin pressure?
- Turbulence levels explained
Anxiety-management techniques
There is no single technique that works for every nervous flyer. The aim isn’t necessarily to eliminate every feeling of anxiety, but to develop practical ways of responding when anxiety appears.
Try:
- Breathing techniques for in-flight anxiety
- Grounding techniques you can use in the airport and on the plane
- Mindfulness techniques for fear of flying
- How to use a fear-of-flying diary
- Pre-flight checklist for anxious flyers
- How to create a personal flight comfort kit
- What to pack to reduce in-flight anxiety
- Learning to accept anxiety while flying
Flying soon?
If your flight is coming up, you don’t need to read everything on Fly Above Fear.
Start with the Fly Above Fear System: understand your fear, understand flight, learn ways to manage anxiety in the moment, and prepare for your journey.
You can also explore the site’s free Calm Flight Toolkit, designed to bring practical information and anxiety-management exercises together in one place.
About Fly Above Fear
Fly Above Fear was created by Lawrie Jones, a journalist and writer with extensive experience covering aviation, engineering, technology and healthcare.
The site combines aviation knowledge, psychological research, expert insight and practical self-help techniques. Its editorial approach aims to distinguish between established facts, expert consensus, personal experience and opinion.
Fly Above Fear is independent and educational. It does not diagnose mental-health conditions, provide therapy or prescribe medication. If your fear of flying is severe, persistent or significantly affecting your life, professional support from a qualified healthcare or mental-health professional may be appropriate.
