Today you will learn 5 mistakes anxious flyers make so that you can board the airplane with anxiety-reducing tips, coping strategies for a panic attack in the airplane, and practical travel hacks to help you overcome your fears and make flying a more enjoyable experience!
I am not a doctor so these are my own and my community of travelers’ tips.
Tip One: Pack Water
Sounds simple but a huge mistake I have made several times is not packing a bottle of water in case the flight attendants run out.
- I use a Perrier bottle because they are extremely thick and durable.
- Buy one in the airport.
- They add bulk to your personal item so hold it if your airline is strict.
The next tip will explain more.
Tip Two: Be Prepared for a Panic Attack
So many people feel like they are about to have a panic attack in the airplane.
If that is you, I will have a video from a YouTuber who will explain tricks to divert your thoughts. A diverted flight I was on is what prompted this entire video.
Here is what happened:
My flight from La Guardia to Houston got diverted, and we were “stuck” in the airplane for about 4 hours from take off to getting out of the airplane in New Orleans after diverting.
Then they let us back on, and we ended up sitting on the tar mac for an hour then returning to the same gate in New Orleans.
We fly to Houston and then sit on that for 2 hours. We ran out of water 4 hours ago.
When I got dinner in New Orleans, I did not grab anything to drink during the flight. So I had been without water from 1 pm until around 10 pm.
While in Houston the flight attendants were in the back giving away cans. So I got my nervous friend a Sprite and myself a Coke.
Tip Three: Address Your Struggle
A mistake passengers make is not seeking help for anxiety or claustrophobia.
My main tip would be to chat with your doctor for help beforehand.
My friend felt like she was going to scream and go berserk because she could not get out of her seat or get out of the airplane.
Our flight left at 12:15 pm and we arrived at 1:30 am in Houston!
Tip: ask your doctor about medication just in case you have a panic attack mid-flight.
But if it is a controlled substance pill, make sure to have the prescription on you in case somebody somewhere happens to see it.
Tip: the TSA is not looking for illegal pills.
Next TIP from a flight attendant:
Say this to the flight attendant that you or your fellow passenger is about to have a panic attack. They are trained more than me and are very smart because of their training and they have “seen it all.”
If you are feeling anxious about flying or struggling with claustrophobia during air travel, you’re not alone—many airline passengers experience these fears.
Tip Four: Breathe
You will hear conflicting tips for breathing exercises to help you calm down if nervous.
But one tip I have heard is to order sparkling water and close your eyes, smell the water, feel the fizz sprinkling your nose and sip the water, focusing on the bubbles in your mouth with that sensation.
Tip Five: Keep Busy
Another mind trick in my turbulence video where my husband pilot explains turbulence video is to have Skittles and arrange them on your napkin by abc order or by color or by how many of each color.
Another anxiety-relief tip is to write your name or a sentence completely backwards with the letters also being backwards with your non-dominant hand.
I want to acknowledge your fears while offering practical travel tips if you have high anxiety when you fly.
THE MISTAKES
Plane Posture
What I do for every flight now:
My husband’s experience made me do this every fight now.
- I make sure both feet are on the ground
- I am sitting upright when landing.
- I hold the arm rests.
His airplane’s nose gear was turned 90 degrees when they landed, and they did not know it. No one was hurt but you can imagine how bumpy the landing was!
OH, and he was out of work for about 4 months while the NTSB or FAA investigated.
With the recent tragic events, you can bet that it will be at least a year before we know some of the details. My husband’s advice is in a very stern tone: ALWAYS WEAR YOUR SEATBELT BUCKLED SECURELY AT YOUR WAIST.
He was livid that so many people stay and video passengers sliding down the escape slide, and the reason he was is because smoke was reported or there had been a fire at some point which means it could have very dangerous for anyone nearby. AND that the person filming could have been delaying the speed at which passengers can deplane in an emergency.
Airport and Airline Preparedness
Many passengers are super stressed because they made the mistake of not reading through the email when they bought their ticket or they did not research what they need to do when they get to the airport.
Here is what you can do:
- Go to your airline’s website or Google: carryon size limits Delta Airlines to see that part of their website.
- Watch Walk Through TSA Line video in the first pinned comment.
- You can also download your airline’s app, look at a map of the airport (some have apps), and arrive 2 hours before boarding time.
- TIP: airlines usually board 40 minutes before the actual ticket time.
- If this is your first time flying in a really long time, my First Flight video may help as well.
Track Your Baggage
One mistake passengers make is not using a tracking system for their bags.
Since we fly with carryon luggage, I keep a tracker in my luggage.
I also have a thin card that goes in my wallet (in case my crossbody bag is stolen while ON vacation), but you can also put one in your passport.
The reason I have the tracker in my carryon suitcase is because so many planes are running out of overhead bin space, thus making them have to check half the passengers’ luggage. That is when the airline “could” lose my baggage.
Another tip is to put painters blue tape on the top of your suitcase near the handle, and if someone picks it up, they will not mistakenly take your bag.
Packing
The biggest mistake is not being able to fit every little thing you need in carryon luggage.
I have the best packing tip video for you that will solve your packing worries in the first pinned comment with everything else.