When the Sky Feels Uncertain: Coping with Fear of Flying in Today's Travel Climate.

There’s something magical about watching the world from 30,000 feet—until the headlines bring us crashing back to reality.  Recent airplane accidents and emergency landings have left many travelers feeling uneasy, especially those who already approach flying with a bit of anxiety.  Even seasoned travelers, like myself—a former international flight attendant with over 20 years of experience—can feel that quiet shift in the cabin when turbulence hits or news breaks of another incident in the skies.

But here’s the truth: fear of flying is more common than most people admit, and it doesn’t mean you have to give up your love for travel.  It means you need the tools to manage your fear, reclaim your confidence, and keep going because the world is still waiting.

Understanding the Fear

Fear of flying, or aviophobia, isn’t just about planes.  It’s about control, trust, and sometimes trauma, heightened by a media cycle highlighting every rare mishap while overlooking the millions of safe flights that occur daily.  For Black travelers, people of color, and anyone who has ever felt out of place in a travel space, fear can also come layered: not just of the flight itself, but of how you’ll be treated, perceived, or supported in the event something goes wrong.

1.  Acknowledge Your Feelings—Without Shame.  You’re not weak, irrational, or dramatic.  You’re human.  Whether your fear stems from an experience, a panic attack mid-flight, or something as simple as a scary story, your feelings are valid.  Start by naming it—out loud or in a journal.  Fear loses power when it’s no longer bottled up.

2.  Educate Yourself with Facts, Not Headlines.  Air travel remains the safest mode of transportation.  Accidents are incredibly rare, and every incident you read about is thoroughly investigated, leading to even stronger regulations and safety procedures.  Use trusted sources like the FAA or IATA for facts.  If you’re a numbers person, know this: your odds of being in a plane crash are about 1 in 11 million.

3.  Control What You Can—And Let Go of What You Can’t.  Pack with intention.  Choose your seat (aisle for freedom, window for distraction).  Download a meditation app, calming music, or an audiobook.  Bring a personal comfort item—mine is a lavender-scented neck pillow that instantly calms me.  At the gate, I still do my walkaround: scoping out the exit rows, checking the flight attendants’ faces (we can’t fake calm well!), and silently reviewing the safety card—even now.

4.  Practice Grounded Breathing Techniques.  Breathing is your superpower.  Try the 4-7-8 method: Inhale for 4 seconds, hold for 7 seconds, exhale for 8 seconds, and repeat this during takeoff or turbulence.  It helps reduce your heart rate and eases the panic response.  Apps like Calm, Headspace, or Breathe2Relax are excellent pre-flight companions.

5.  Talk to the Crew—Yes.  As a former flight attendant, I can tell you that we notice nervous flyers and want to help.  Don’t be afraid to share your anxiety as you board.  A good crew member will check in on you during the flight, answer your questions, and even explain that strange noise.  Knowledge often replaces fear.

6.  Seek Professional Help if the Fear Is Deep.  If your fear is paralyzing or getting worse over time, there’s no shame in talking to a therapist or taking a fear-of-flying course.  Programs like SOAR or Flying Without Fear have helped thousands reclaim their travel joy.

7.  Remind Yourself of Your Why.  The best way to fight fear is with purpose.  Why are you flying?  Is it for a once-in-a-lifetime adventure?  A long-awaited reunion?  A bucket-list destination?  Please write it down. Say it aloud.  Let that purpose be louder than the fear.

Travel Doesn’t Have to Be Fearless, Just Fear-Managed.  As someone who has flown through lightning storms, emergency landings, and even medical diversions, I say this from the heart: you don’t have to be fearless to travel—you have to keep going.  You can still be brave with fear.  You can still explore the world with a racing heart if you don’t let fear dictate your life.  Take the trip.  Book the flight.  And when the seatbelt sign goes off, take a deep breath—because every safe landing reminds us of what’s possible when we rise above fear.

Have you ever struggled with a fear of flying?  How did you overcome it—or what’s holding you back?  Please share your story in the comments or message me at EbonyTravelers.com. Let’s start a conversation that helps someone else take their next step forward.