Fear of Flying

Know and Understand

One in four passengers experiences significant stress and anxiety at the thought of flying, both before departure and during the journey.

Yet air travel remains by far the safest mode of transport. Of all forms of locomotion, cars are the most dangerous; the risk of dying in an accident is 30 times higher than on a bus, 45 times higher than on a train, and 90 times higher than on a plane.

Every year, over three billion people use air travel for their journeys. Out of the 40 million annual flights, there are "only" a few accidents—often not even catastrophic—and "just" a few hundred fatalities. In fact, 2017 was the safest year on record for commercial civil aviation, with 10 accidents and 44 deaths (compared to 20 accidents and 283 deaths in 2019). Generally, domestic flights carry more "risks" than international ones. Africa also accounts for the highest number of accidents—25 to 30% of the total—despite representing barely 4.5% of global air traffic.

Lack of Information

Fear of flying often stems from ignorance about aircraft and their reliability, as well as about flight crews and their skills. People fear what they don’t know—or, in this case, what they don’t understand. Over 10% of those who have never flown have avoided air travel solely due to fear of accidents.

This ignorance is compounded by the power of imagination, which sometimes perpetuates outdated or negative images of aviation. Yet techniques and technologies have evolved significantly since the days of the Aéropostale.

Safety Measures

Equipment and Flight Conditions

Aviation is a sector where safety is never compromised for economic reasons. Techniques are constantly evolving, systems are increasingly sophisticated, and onboard control and safety procedures are duplicated or even triplicated. Each aircraft is also regularly inspected by airlines and international authorities that grant operating licenses.

Flight conditions are equally well-guaranteed. Routes are chosen based on weather (to take advantage of tailwinds and avoid areas of severe turbulence) and traffic (preferably the least congested). They also vary by airline, flight day, aircraft type, and even season. Each aircraft is assigned a specific altitude based on its flight plan, and the plane is continuously monitored by radio and radar by all control zones it passes through, which respond to the slightest anomaly.

Flight Crew

Flight crews are (in almost all airlines) highly trained and evaluated several times a year.

Outside of their flight duties, pilots regularly undergo simulator training, where they face all possible malfunctions and disasters. Typically, they cannot fly more than 100 hours per month or remain at the controls for more than 8 consecutive hours. Except for a few long-haul flights without layovers, crews are regularly rotated during the journey.

Similarly, flight attendants are trained to respond quickly to any issues that may arise during a flight. In case of an emergency or serious incident, the captain—who has authority over everyone on board—is empowered to take any measures necessary to ensure the safety of one or all passengers: returning to the departure airport, making an emergency landing, diverting, etc.

Good reasons to travel with complete peace of mind...

Analyzing Your Fear

While it’s helpful to know the precautions surrounding air travel, it’s also important to identify the source of your apprehensions to overcome them.

The Two Main Causes

Fear of a Crash

This is the easiest fear to address. Simply explaining how a plane works and looking at statistics that show the minimal risk of such an event can help.

In a similar vein, some people fear the "unnatural law" of flight: "A plane is so big, yet it flies!" Here, too, a few aeronautical explanations can often ease concerns.

Claustrophobia and/or Agoraphobia

This is the more common fear of being enclosed and/or unable to move or act. Typically, this fear isn’t specific to flying—the person is more afraid of their own reactions (palpitations, sense of danger, panic) in a place where escape is impossible. In this case, choosing a seat near an exit, emergency door, or in a more "open" space may slightly reduce anxiety. However, the solution often requires therapeutic treatment.

Nuances

Of course, these fears vary in intensity and impact from person to person. Fortunately, in many cases, traveling with a trusted companion is enough to resolve the issue. However, these fears—which can sometimes completely paralyze an individual—are not the most common. Most people experience only temporary concerns at specific moments during a flight, which can be alleviated with a few explanations.

What to Do?

Before Departure

In some cases, it may be important to prepare psychologically or even physically for your trip.

For a first flight, you might ask someone in your circle who is used to flying for their impressions. In extreme cases, you could practice relaxation techniques that simulate different flight phases or even undergo psychological treatment aimed at identifying and addressing the thoughts behind your fear of flying. These techniques are offered by some hospitals and airlines like Air France or Swiss.

On the day of departure, it’s best—after a good night’s sleep—to avoid fasting by choosing light, preferably solid food without stimulants (coffee, alcohol, tobacco). Only in cases of extreme nervousness should a mild sedative be considered.

Practically speaking, it’s better to wear loose, comfortable clothing and avoid packing at the last minute. It’s also advisable to arrive at the airport well in advance (and accompanied) to relax and "familiarize" yourself with the surroundings—the fear of missing your flight only increases anxiety. Arriving early also gives you time to choose your seat on the plane.

Once On Board

Anxiety often peaks when boarding the aircraft. From that moment, the flight can be divided into four distinct phases, each potentially triggering specific concerns.

Before Takeoff

Anxiety is usually linked to the impending takeoff, combined with a sense of claustrophobia. This feeling is often stronger on smaller aircraft like the Boeing 737 or A-320, which have two rows of seats.

Taking your time to board—avoiding the rush when boarding is announced—can help. Once seated, try to relax comfortably. From this point until the end of takeoff, talking to your neighbor or reading can help "take your mind off things." And as a last resort, you can always speak to the flight attendants.

During Takeoff

This is the most difficult phase for many, even though it’s not the most dangerous (28% of accidents). The idea of leaving the ground is compounded by the impressive aspects of takeoff (engine thrust, incline).

During the few minutes it takes, two moments often unsettle inexperienced flyers: the dull noise of the landing gear retracting during ascent, and sometimes the reduction in engine power just before the aircraft levels off. In the latter case, it may feel like the engines are cutting out and the plane is losing altitude. Of course, this is normal. Additionally, if weather conditions are poor, passing through cloud layers can feel "impressive," though it poses no real danger.

In Flight

This is the calmest and safest phase (6% of accidents). The plane is level, on autopilot, and you’re starting to get used to flying. The only downside is possible turbulence. However, there’s no reason to panic—as with a car or train, it’s perfectly normal for a plane to experience bumps (the tail end tends to move the most).

During Landing

This phase is reassuring for many passengers, as it’s far less dramatic than takeoff—even though it’s actually the most delicate part of the flight (two-thirds of accidents). Turbulence can still occur, sometimes significantly when passing through clouds. The dull noise associated with "braking" during descent indicates the deployment of air brakes on the wings. To ease your apprehension, you can use the same techniques as during takeoff.