How to Overcome Fear of Flying: Tips That Actually Help

Not everyone is lucky enough to be chill about flying. If you’re one of those people who get sweaty palms, a racing heart at every tiny turbulence, or scan flight attendants for any signs of panic—same. If they look calm, we might just survive, right?

But let’s be real. Fear of flying is mostly irrational, and the best way to fight it? Facts. So, here are a few things that might help ease your nerves on your next flight.

How Safe Is Flying?

Flying is extremely safe, with the risk of a fatal crash at just 1 in 11 million, according to Harvard research. Compared to other forms of transport, air travel remains the safest, with a 95.7% survival rate in accidents. The likelihood of any accident is also low—just 1 in 830,000 flights in 2022. Thanks to continuous improvements in technology and enhanced safety protocols, flying gets safer every year.

Safest Airlines for 2025

The Airline of the Year 2025 title goes to Korean Air, recognized for its passenger comfort, particularly in Economy Class, where it maintains industry-leading seat pitches of 33–34 inches on wide-body aircraft. Unlike many competitors, Korean Air has resisted shrinking seat space, ensuring a more comfortable flying experience. Additional thoughtful amenities like slippers and generous meal portions on long-haul flights further enhance its appeal. Moreover, the airline’s financial stability, its groundbreaking merger with Asiana Airlines, and its investments in modern, fuel-efficient aircraft solidify its standing in the industry.

Top 10 Safest Full-Service Airlines for 2025:

1. Korean Air
2. Qatar Airways
3. Air New Zealand
4. Cathay Pacific
5. Singapore Airlines
6. Emirates
7. Japan Airlines
8. Qantas
9. Etihad Airways
10. Turkish Airlines

Strange Airplane Noises (And Why You Shouldn’t Worry)

Fear of flying often comes from the unknown—especially those weird sounds you hear mid-flight. Here are some common noises and what they actually mean:

• “Cable Pulling” Sounds: While waiting for takeoff, you might hear loud clanking noises. This is just the engine’s air system adjusting for cooling and heating.
• “Buzzing in the Wings” before takeoff or shortly after? Those are the flaps being adjusted.
• “Loud Thump During Descent” around 2,000 feet before landing? The aircraft’s flaps are extending to prepare for landing.
• “Ding During the Flight”: Often, this is just a crew notification, like the seatbelt sign turning on.

All of these sounds are perfectly normal and should not cause concern.

Turbulence—Why It’s Not As Scary As It Feels

Turbulence is one of the biggest triggers for flight anxiety. It happens when unstable air currents cause the plane to shake or feel like it’s dropping. While it may feel unsettling, turbulence rarely poses any real danger to the aircraft. Pilots train extensively to handle turbulence, and modern planes are built to withstand even severe turbulence with ease.

If turbulence makes you anxious, remember:

• Pilots will try to avoid turbulence whenever possible using weather data and reports from other flights.
• It’s usually more common below clouds rather than above them.
• The best thing you can do is keep your seatbelt fastened and focus on steady breathing.

Leave Your Fear at Home

If you’ve made it this far, hopefully, you feel a little better about flying. The truth is, fear of flying is useless. Unlike other fears, where being cautious helps you stay safe, worrying about a plane crash does absolutely nothing to prevent it.

So, next time you’re on a plane, buckle up, take a deep breath, and remind yourself that you’re safer in the air than on the road. You got this.

Ready for takeoff?