In brief
- Landing follows a standard process
- Understanding the steps, sounds and announcements of landing will give you confidence on your flight
- There are practical things you can do to reduce anxiety during landing
Learning to stay calm during landing
Landing a plane is a carefully planned series of steps that take you effortlessly from cruise altitude to the terminal. The landing process can be scary for some flyers, with strange noises, turbulence, and a lack of contact from the cockpit increasing anxiety.
The great thing about landing an aircraft is that the steps are the same, meaning you can prepare yourself for it, reducing fear and increasing confidence. Here’s what happens from the moment the plane begins its descent to when you walk into the terminal.
1. Leaving cruise altitude: beginning of descent
Roughly 30–40 minutes before landing, your pilot will begin a controlled descent. In the cabin, you’ll feel a gentle dip as the nose lowers and a slight change in pressure. You may also hear the engines spool back. The engines will sound quieter, not because of any issue, but because less thrust is needed to come down gradually.
In the cockpit, the pilots will receive clearance from air traffic control and set the aircraft onto its downward path.
As you descend, it’s common to experience turbulence. This can happen as you move in and out of jetstreams, through different wind or weather, through clouds, or caused by topographic conditions. Many fearful flyers find descent turbulence easier to deal with as the flight is nearing its end.
2. Initial approach: lining up with the airport
As the aircraft gets closer to its destination airport, it enters the official approach corridor. This is a carefully mapped (and totally safe) route to the runway.
Depending on the airport, you might notice more turns than during cruise. This is because pilots need to manoeuvre the plane into the correct position.
The flaps may extend partway which can create a whirring sound. A larger wind surface can help to slow the aircraft.
Inside the plane, you’ll hear an announcement from the pilot to the crew that the plane is preparing to land. At this point, cabin crew will begin securing the cabin for arrival. They’ll be moving quickly through the aisles to check belts and stowed items, ensuring everything is in the right place.
3. Final approach: gear down and locked
At this point, the aircraft is fully aligned with the runway and will be descending at a steady pace and at a precise angle. This part of the descent is one is one of the most technical and tightly controlled.
If you’re looking out of the window, you’ll start to see things on the ground come into view. You’ll hear the thud and vibration of the landing gear lowering. This will be a mechanical sound.
The flaps extend further on the wings. This will be accompanied by more mechanical sounds and subtle changes in the pitch.
The engines may surge slightly up and down as pilots make fine adjustments to speed and rate of descent. It’s a delicate and precise part of flight, but your pilots have total control.
During the later stages of descent it can feel busy and there can be a nervousness in the cabin. Don’t worry, everything you’re seeing and hearing are signs of the aircraft getting into perfect landing position and condition.
4. Touchdown: wheels on the runway
The ground will start to rapidly appear below you and the scitement can build. Your pilot will glide the aircraft down to the runway, positioning it perfectly.
When the aircraft meets the tarmac there’s often a noticeable bump or two as the wheels touch the ground. Sometimes, it may feel rougher than expected, but landings are designed to be positive. It’s actually better to have a solid landing and ensure the plane is down than to float.
The moment you touch down, the engines roar as reverse thrust is applied. At this point, the powerful engines redirect air forward to slow the plane down. At the same time, the main brakes engage, and you’ll be pushed gently forward.
5. Rollout: slowing to taxi speed
Once the aircraft has reduced speed enough pilots will wind down the reverse thrust. The noise inside the cabin will reduce. The plane’s brakes and steering will take over, with the pilot guiding the aircraft steadily along the runway.
It’s common for the rollout to feel drawn out, especially on long runways, but it’s all controlled.
6. Taxiing to the gate or stand
After leaving the runway, the aircraft begins its slow journey across the taxiways towards the gate.
You’ll be able to see out of the windows and feel a series of gentle turns as the pilots follow illuminated signs and ground instructions to get to their gate safely.
Cabin crew remind passengers to stay seated with belts fastened until the aircraft is parked. At this point, you’ll want to unclip your seatbelt and get ready to depart, but don’t until you’re told you can.
7. Engine shutdown and preparation to disembark
When the aircraft arrives at its final destination, pilot swill power down the engines. You’ll notice the cabin goes quiet. This effectively marks the end of the flight.
Ground staff may need to connect stairs or an airbridge before it’s safe to disembark the plane. When they do, the seatbelt sign switches off, passengers can start getting ready to leave.
8. Entering the terminal
The final stage takes you from aircraft to terminal, whether through an airbridge or via stairs to a waiting bus. You know this stage, it’s the luggage reclaim, passport check, or connecting flight.
If you’re a nervous flyer, you may find there’s a wave of relief at this point. You’ve successfully managed to complete another flight. Recording how you feel in a diary can help you to build confidence.
How to be confident and calm during landing
Understanding the different stages of an aircraft landing can help to reduce anxiety. Instead of wondering what’s happening, you can prepare yourself mentally for each stage. The good thing is that flight landings are predictable, giving you the power to prepare.
Here are some tips on how you can stay calm and confident during every landing:
- Anticipate the sequence. Every sound and bump during landing has a purpose. Recognising them as signs of the plane doing its job reduces the fear of the unknown. Follow the steps and tick them off.
- Stay grounded in your body. Breathing exercises or simple sensory focus techniques can keep you stay steady during descent and touchdown. Turbulence should be expected during landings, but it’s natural.
- Trust the training. Pilots practise landings constantly, both in simulators and in real aircraft. What can feel dramatic to nervous passengers is completely routine.
- Feel the sensations, don’t fear them. The bump at touchdown and roar of the engines are signs of a safe landing. They’re not dangerous. Allow them to happen and experience them, don’t try to fight it (or fear it).
Stay grounded during landing
Landing is a carefully choreographed series of actions that are all performed with one aim: to land the plane as safely and speedily as possible. During landing, pilots, crew, and technology work together.
By understanding each stage of the landing, you can prepare. This can help build confidence and keep you calm. Instead of questioning every noise, bump, or message, you can experience it and, if you’re able to, even enjoy it.
For more reassurance visit the Help Desk and download the Calm Flight Toolkit.
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FAQs
For many anxious flyers, landing is the easy part but for others, the fear of falling to the ground and the turbulence that can occur are challenging. There’s nothing to be ashamed of if you’re not a fan of landings, there are ways that you can make the process less stressful.
Planes will often encounter turbulence as you land because you’re moving through dynamic weather. Turbulence is unsettling, but it’s not unsafe whether that’s during takeoff, cruise, or landing. Understanding what happens during turbulence can help to reduce your anxiety.
You should only take your seatbelt off when the plane has come to a complete stop and the sign has been turned off, not before. While we know you want to get out as quickly as possible, it’s essential you follow instructions and stay safe.