Taking the Fear Out of Flying with EasyJet’s Fearless Flyer Programme

A fear of flying is far more common than many people realise. For some, it means mild unease before take-off; for others, it can lead to sleepless nights in the build-up to a trip, anxiety around turbulence or fears of having a panic attack mid-flight.

In more severe cases, people may avoid air travel altogether, potentially missing out on holidays, family occasions, work opportunities and experiences abroad.

The frustration for many nervous flyers is that the fear can clash with what they know logically about air travel. Fear, however, isn’t always rational. It can be physical and emotional and is often connected to a feeling of having little or no control over what is happening.

The triggers can also vary significantly from person to person. Some passengers may be uncomfortable with heights, while others struggle with turbulence, unfamiliar aircraft noises, enclosed spaces or the feeling of being unable to leave once onboard.

A lack of understanding about how aircraft operate can add to that anxiety. Most passengers aren't pilots or aviation engineers, so an unfamiliar sound, movement or sensation can quickly lead to worst-case-scenario thinking.

Understanding some of the fundamentals of flying can therefore make a significant difference. Learning how an aircraft flies, why wings are designed to flex and why turbulence is a normal part of air travel can help remove some of the uncertainty that fuels a fear of flying.

Combining that knowledge with practical coping and breathing techniques can also help nervous passengers change the way they approach a flight. The goal isn't necessarily to make someone love flying, but to give them the knowledge and tools to feel more confident and in control when they travel.

easyJet Fearless Flyer

The easyJet Fearless Flyer programme has been helping nervous passengers tackle their fear of flying since 2012, with more than 15,000 people having taken part.

Led by a phobia expert, a senior easyJet pilot and an ex-phobic, the programme is designed specifically for nervous flyers and combines psychological techniques with straightforward aviation education.

Whether participants have flown many times before or are preparing for their first flight, the course aims to dispel common myths, explain the realities of flying and provide practical techniques for managing anxiety. It also offers participants a structured and supported way to face their fear rather than continuing to avoid flying.

For those whose travel plans have long been dictated by a fear of getting on an aircraft, understanding what happens during a flight and learning how to manage their response to it could make taking to the skies feel considerably more manageable.