How to overcome a fear of flying

Does the thought of flying makes you feel nervous? You’re not alone. A 2024 YouGov survey found that 16% of people say they’re fairly scared of flying, and 6% say they’re very scared.

Hopping on a plane may sound intimidating, but there’s no need to worry. We're here to make flying an easy, relaxed and friendly experience before you even step foot in the terminal.

Don't let a fear of flying stop you from enjoying future holidays with family and friends or exploring the world one country at a time. Check out our tips, tricks and handy advice to help you overcome any nerves before your next flight. You’ll be up, up and away in no time.

How to calm your flying fears before the airport

Prepping for a big getaway isn’t as simple as popping things in your suitcase and saying “go.” Here are a few ways you can guarantee an easier, calmer experience by the time you arrive at the airport.

Book a short flight

Dip your toe in the water (or the clouds) and ease those fears by starting small. Book a short flight and get used to the ins and outs of air travel while knowing that you don’t have far to go. Did you know that LLA serves lots of destinations with short flight times under 2 hours? Fly to somewhere in the UK, or how about Paris, Dublin and Barcelona? 

Travel with a friend

Travelling with a friend or companion can be a great way to help you get over a fear of flying, so do fly with friends when you can. When you’re booking flights, select seats that are next to each other so you can guarantee that you’ve always got your buddy by your side when you’re in the skies.

Pick your seat

And that leads to our next point - choose your seat if you can. Would a window seat help? Or how about stretching in an aisle seat? Find the choice that will help you feel most relaxed. 

Book a direct flight

While flights with changeovers can be a handy way to save money or break up a trip, direct flights might be a good way to go if you want one less thing to worry about on your travels. LLA flies to more than 130 destinations in over 30 countries, so there’s no need to go off the beaten track. 

Avoid peak flight times

Think about the time of day you’re planning to travel. Early morning flights and evening flights from LLA are likely to be busy, so be prepared for more people if you’re travelling at peak hours. Where possible, try booking a flight a little bit later in the morning or the afternoon. With fewer people around, it’ll make for a calmer experience.

Plan your route

Do you know how long it'll take to get to the airport? Avoid unnecessary worry on the day by planning your route - bonus points if you've got a backup plan too. Decide your route to LLA.

Travelling to London Luton Airport by train? Get the Luton Airport Express from London St Pancras International, which will get you to the terminal in as little as 32 minutes. The journey takes you to Luton Airport Parkway, then hop on the Luton DART (Direct Air-Rail Transit) shuttle and make it to the terminal in minutes. 

How to calm your fear of flying on the day

Whatever time you’re travelling, airport terminals are busy places. Being around lots of people all heading off on their trips can be overwhelming, but there’s a few things you can do to make the whole experience a little more relaxing.

Simple security, sorted

Thinking about security could break anyone out in a cold sweat. But it's a straightforward process to go through, and once you're on the other side, you can buy a treat in Duty Free! Have a read of our security rules beforehand, so you know what to expect.

Want to save time? Take advantage of our free Prebook Security service and book a 10-minute timeslot for security up to four days before your arrival. We also offer Fast Track Security, which is dedicated to getting you to Departures quicker. Book Fast Track Security from £4.

Create a calming routine

Pre-flight jitters? We recommend taking a few quiet moments of breathing exercises, getting stuck into a Sudoku or puzzle book, or wearing noise-cancelling headphones to listen to your favourite music and mute out the world. Avoid any anxiety-inducing food or drinks, such as those high in caffeine or alcohol, and be sure to hydrate.

Book a lounge space for a place to relax before flying. Why not check out our My Lounge and No. 1 Lounge for somewhere to sit away from the main terminal?

Don’t forget about our Quiet Zone by Gate 17. It's designed for passengers who might benefit from a safe and quiet place when in unfamiliar surroundings.

Talk to people, it helps

Seasoned flyers and plane newbies alike are bound to have questions before their trip. When departing from LLA, let our friendly Guest Experience team members know how they can help you enjoy your experience. If you need any further support, our Chaplaincy team is always there with an open ear.

If you're still nervous on the plane, let the cabin crew know. They’ll be happy to have a chat and also demystify anything you’re unsure about, from turbulence to when the seatbelt signs are likely to go off.

Remember that it’s all part of the journey

Flying is just one part of the trip. Once you've landed, the holiday can begin! Control the things you can by turning up with plenty of time and making a pre-flight routine. There's plenty of things you can't control, but you'll get through them on the other side.