Terrified of flying for the first time, what's it like?

violettasomerset

I don't mind flying, but you might be a bit cramped if you have long legs as most airlines don't give you much room. The toilets are also very cramped, and the toilets don't flush normally and make a massive bang when they do so (I always cover my ears until it's flushed - this is the only bit of flying that scares me!!!) Also talking of toilets, as gases expand in the air, you might find yourself getting a bit windy .... but at least with the engine noise, no-one can hear you:rotfl:

marisco_2

Flying is a very safe form of travel. I've been round the world and back, even dared to venture onto Aeroflot, lived to tell the tale and thoroughly enjoyed it. Do it once and most people become hooked and see it as no more than getting on and off a bus! Though an expensive one at that. Look forward to it, safe in the knowledge that you will be in good experienced hands, and I really hope you enjoy your trip away

fivetide

shrimper1 wrote: »

I am an OAP and still love looking out the window on the plane. It really is like a coach that takes off. The noises have been mentioned they soon stop once up and level and start again a bit before you land, all normal. Take a snack or buy a coffee it will help to pass the time. Bumps are normal and come and go, only on a few flights

One great thing to remember about the window is that no matter how miserable it is on the ground, raining sideways etc, once you get above the clouds it is always a sunny day!

aileth

Expect to get very nervous for the take-off, then when you level out wonder what all the fuss was about!

I've been flying multiple times yearly since I was about eight years old and I still get nervous at take-offs and landings. Absolutely no reason why as I've never even had so much as a bumpy landing. I think it's more the excitement than anything else!

After 30 mins you won't even remember that you are thousands of feet up in the air!

The odds of being on a plane which is involved in an accident is something like 1 in 3.4 million, whereas car I think was something like 1 in 100 if I remember correctly!

Relax, have a G&T, take a good book!

System

If it's a relatively short flight you might be on a smaller plane. I think some of the planes that do the long-distance flights are very large inside so may be less claustrophobic.

Take off is exciting but after that it's just a case of biding your time until you get there. Perhaps take an MP3 player or Kindle to keep you occupied?

heartbreak_star

I love flying, I love the sensation of being up above the clouds and seeing aerial views of different places

HBS x

Ronaldo_Mconaldo

I find that having a few pints before and during the flight gelps to reduce the stress.

bargainbetty

I went through a phase of being excited by air travel, then after a bumpy flight I was scared for a while. Now, I put my seat belt on, sit back and close my eyes. I'm often asleep by take-off and I've been known to sleep through landings. I sat next to a man who had worked as a test pilot for the US military for about 15 years (he flew jets through hurricanes to see what happened) and he went through the mechanics of the flight and the strength and flexibility of the wings etc, and was dismissive of most weather related turbulence short of tornadoes! Most turbulence feels a bit like being on a train that is going over a set of points to me.

annamika88

it was a awesome experience which i felt in my first plane trip.. i loved fly but i couldn't get a lot of opportunity.

BigAunty

Trying to describe what to expect with flying is trying to explain what to expect with s-e-x. It's a very variable experience....

Look into relaxation apps - you may find one that specifically deals with fear of flying. Also, I believe that some airline run courses to help those with flying anxiety.