In 1903, American brothers Orville and Wilbur completed the world’s first successful controlled powered flight – and humans have been taking to the skies ever since.
But it’s understandable that being between 35,000 and 42,000 feet in the air isn’t everyone’s cup of tea.
In the UK, it is estimated that one in ten experiences aerophobia, which is intense fear before or during a flight.
However, studies estimate that this statistic is much higher, he said Fear UK.
But if you’re among this one in 10, you might be in luck, as flight attendant and TikToker @cici.inthesky shared her top four tips for helping anxious fliers travel better.
The flight attendant, Cici (pictured) and TikToker with a following of about 358,300 shared her four tips to help frightened fliers travel better
According to the flight attendant, also known as @cici.inthesky, it’s worth paying a little more to choose your kite if you’re an anxious flier
1. Pay a little more and choose your seat
Being shaken by turbulence is probably one of the worst experiences if you’re a nervous flier.
Cici recommends that if you’re a frightened flier, it’s worth splurging and paying a little extra to choose where to sit.
According to the flight attendant, a frightened pilot can best place himself near the wings.
This is because you are more likely to have a smoother ride in this part of the plane, compared to the tail of the plane, as it can bounce up and down more.
There are many reasons why turbulence can occur, including high winds, storms, and random bubbles.
But it is important to remember that pilots are highly skilled and qualified. They are well equipped to deal with turbulence and ensure you have a safe flight.
2. Let them know you are a fearful flier
She also recommends letting the crew know if you get a little nervous flying so you can ask questions to feel more comfortable
Cici’s second tip is to let the crew know you’re a fearful flier and tell them what seat you’re in.
There’s no shame in asking for help, and flight attendants can be a great source of comfort to anxious fliers.
According to the flight attendant, if you’re a nervous flier, asking the crew about any concerns or questions you have about the trip can be a great way to ease your anxiety about the trip ahead.
3. Wear noise canceling headsets
Noise-canceling headsets are a must according to Cici (pictured), as the sound of babies crying or loud chatter can frighten nervous jet-setters
Her third tip for those nervous about hitting the gangway is to wear noise canceling headphones.
Noise from crying babies or loud chatter can frighten nervous jet-setters.
Cici told her 358,300 TikTok followers, “I’ve noticed that different people often get anxious because of the different noises the plane makes, and most of them are completely normal.”
She added: ‘So those will deter some of those noise stressors’
One user agreed: “The noise canceling headphones made such a big difference to me on my 11 hour flight.”
4. Guidance
The TikToker also recommended counseling as an aid to combat the travel jitters.
If your fear of flying is debilitating and you suffer from aerophobia then it is recommended that you follow the NHS guidelines for getting help and seeking treatment for phobias.
NHS guidance and advice for phobias can be found here.