As I was getting ready for my first flight of 2024 to visit a friend in Texas, I thought back to this time last year when I had crippling plane anxiety and was convinced I would never travel anywhere I couldn't drive or take a boat. This was an especially strange fear considering I had flown once before to Orlando when I was six or seven and I had a great time! I don't remember much except seeing the Disney Cruise from the plane and being pretty excited about it, but if that's all I remember it couldn't have been that bad? So where did this fear come from, and why couldn't I get over it?
So let's back up, like, way back. Way back to 2014 when I took my first trip to Universal Orlando Resort. I had never had so much fun on a vacation! It was so different from other vacations I had been on before. I felt immersed in it all and that had never happened for me before. I swore then that when I grew up and had adult money (come on now, we all know adult money is different, okay?) that I was going to have a season pass for Universal Orlando Resort. I didn't care where I lived or how long it took me to get there, I was going to make that happen. And I kept reminding myself of that all through high school, and college, and into my first "big girl job." I had more trips to Universal Orlando Resort through that time, and I had one particularly important trip to Orlando in November 2022 for my graduation with my Bachelor's degree. This was the first time I went with my in-laws and my mother-in-law and brother-in-law loved it!
In early 2023 my husband told me he was going on a business trip to Tampa in May 2023. I decided this was my time to tackle that anxiety that was holding me back for the majority of my life. I had turned down trips to the Bahamas and Europe purely because I was scared to get on a plane. I was embarrassed by this point that I was the only person I knew that couldn't get over this. So I booked a ticket with my husband, booked my hotel room at Universal's Cabana Bay Beach Resort, bought my UOAP pass, and reserved my rental car. I figured if I paid for everything in advance then even if I was nervous about the flight I wouldn't be willing to waste all the money I had just spent paying for everything. Plus, this was my chance to become a passholder like I had wanted for so long.
I started my own version of exposure therapy. My closest airport has an observation deck where you can hear the radios from air traffic control and watch the planes take off and land. I went a few times with my husband and a few times on my own. It was beneficial for me to see how smooth the takeoff and landing really were, as well as how loud a plane is (plot twist: it's way louder than the movies seem to think). I watched videos online of a POV of takeoff and landing from a window seat. I watched videos about turbulence and learned that no, I wasn't going to fall straight out of the sky. I had a doctor's appointment coming up anyway, so I mentioned the anxiety to her. She prescribed me anxiety medication specifically for flying (and I've never had to use it). I booked a window seat so I could see what was happening outside the plane in the hope that would ease any anxiety.
The morning of the flight we arrived at the airport the recommended two hours early, but it was very busy (we later found out this was the busiest travel day in history for our local airport). It took about 30 minutes to check our suitcase, and we spent the remainder of the time in line for security. We almost missed the flight, and I'm not exaggerating that. We got through TSA and had time to use the first bathroom we found before we were called to board. I think almost missing that flight was what helped me the most. I didn't have time to sit in the terminal and contemplate what I was doing or grovel in my anxiety. By the time I realized what was happening I was settled in my seat and we were taxiing on the runway.
The plane took off and it was the craziest feeling: I was having fun! I had done it! I was flying, and I wasn't scared. We hit turbulence, and I wasn't scared. We landed in a storm, and I wasn't scared. And I was so, so proud of myself. We landed and I hopped in my rental car to Orlando for my two days at the parks before coming back and flying home.
My Tips
These are my tips to help curb your anxiety. These may not work for everyone, but this is what worked for me! This list is consolidated from my own experience as well as the experience of my friend, who just flew with me for the first time to travel to Texas!
Watch some videos on YouTube. You can watch some that are more educational, such as videos about turbulence, or some that are more about the experience itself, such as a POV from the plane.
Choose your seat. It can be worth it to pay a little extra for the confidence of knowing where you'll be sitting on the plane. Some people like the window so they can see out and some people like exit row because they feel safer. Choose what feels right to you.
Check the information specific to the airline you'll be flying with. Each airline has specifications for carry on bags and personal items. Check the TSA website as well to find the latest updates on some items, such as liquids.
Know your plane information before getting to the airport. If you know your gate number, you can look up a map of the airport beforehand and get a general idea of where you're going. I recommend using the app of the airline you're flying with. This way, you have your ticket, map, and updates all in one place.
Get to the airport at least two hours before your flight. Regardless of how not crowded you believe the airport to be that day, get there early.
Once in the airport, follow the signs. The signs can be confusing, but they'll show you exactly where you need to go. If it's too confusing for you, there are many people working in the airport who can help.
Dress comfortably. Have shoes and jackets that can be easily removed when going through TSA.
Have any items that may need to be removed during TSA, such as liquids or electronics, easily accessible at the top of your bag.
Bring headphones. Even if you don't listen to music or a podcast, this can help dampen the noise during the flight. If you will be listening to anything, be sure to download it to your device the night before as not all flights have in-flight wifi.
Sometimes the flight will be full and you'll be asked to check your carry on bag. I always suggest packing anything you can't go without for a few days in your personal item in the unlikely event your checked baggage does not arrive to your destination with you. This includes medications, expensive jewelry or electronics, or hygiene products.
So what have you experiences flying been like? Let me know in the comments below!
You are a model for others to overcome their fears about travel.