In brief
- Aviophobia is the clinical term for fear of flying
- Aerophobia is the term for fear of air and draughts
- The two terms are often used interchangeably and it doesn’t matter which you use, as long as you get the help you need to fly with confidence
Is it aerophobia or aviophobia?
If you’ve searched online for information about fear of flying, you may have noticed two different terms: aerophobia and aviophobia. Are they the same thing? Does one mean something different? And which is correct?
Let’s clear up the confusion.
Aerophobia
“Aerophobia” comes from the Greek word aero (air) and phobos (fear).
Strictly speaking, aerophobia means a fear of air or drafts of air. However, in everyday language, aerophobia is often used interchangeably to mean “fear of flying.”
Aviophobia
“Aviophobia” comes from the Latin avis (bird) and phobos (fear). It’s used to describe a fear of flying – specifically on aircraft.
You’ll find that in psychological texts and clinical manuals, aviophobia is considered the more accurate term for fear of flight.
Which is correct?
Both terms are understood, but aviophobia is the more precise and accepted word for fear of flying.
Aerophobia is sometimes used casually, but it can also mean something else in medicine, which makes it less accurate.
In practice, most people (including most doctors) simply use the phrase “fear of flying”. It’s clear, accurate and widely recognised.
Does the label matter?
Not really. Whether you call it aerophobia, aviophobia, or just fear of flying, the important point is that the experience is real and common.
Treatment options, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), mindfulness, grounding techniques, and airline “fear of flying” courses, are the same, whatever label you use.
Aerophobia or aviophobia? It doesn’t really matter…
Online and in-person, you’ll find aerophobia and aviophobia used interchangeably. If we’re being pedantic, aviophobia is technically the more accurate word for fear of flying.
Still, what matters most isn’t the name, it’s finding strategies that help you feel calmer and more confident in the air – and that’s what Fly Above Fear is here to help with.
Please share this article with anyone who might benefit from it.
FAQs
Technically, the correct term is aviophobia. However, aerophobia is also used to describe fear of flying. It really doesn’t matter which term you use, just that you get the help you need to fly.