How to overcome the fear of flying: 3 tips from pilots to help calm nerves

Fear of flying is a common issue for many passengers, especially those boarding an airplane for the first time. The new experience can trigger anxiety, panic, and even nightmares.

Pilots are sympathetic to this and are willing to address passengers' fears, offering advice on overcoming panic before a flight and enjoying the experience. The Sun shared recommendations from aviation experts.

Meetings with the pilot:

Veteran pilot Tom Bunn suggests that anxious passengers request a meeting with the pilot before takeoff. This provides the opportunity to ask a professional about primary fears, such as turbulence and engine failure.

"No one undergoes surgery without meeting with a doctor. If you meet with this person, you will feel much better during the flight," stated the pilot.

Exercise 5-4-3-2-1:

If meeting with the pilot didn't help or you didn't want to bother him, there are a few other ways to calm your nerves during takeoff. Bunn recommends trying the 5-4-3-2-1 exercise to help release emotions.

This exercise is simple: in 90 seconds, you need to focus on five things you can see, four things you can touch, three things you can hear, two things you can smell, and one thing you can taste.

Make a list:

Another pilot said that the best thing anxious passengers can do to calm their nerves is to make a list of all the things that scare them.

"Write down everything that makes you nervous, anxious, or afraid, and then cross out absolutely everything you can't control and focus on what you can control," he advised.