Fear of Flying: Anxiety or Phobia?

This article explains the difference between fear of flying as an anxiety response and a specific phobia, and how hypnotherapy can help calm the nervous system and reduce distress.

I work with many people in Ely and Newmarket who struggle with a fear of flying. The anxiety and fear can stop you flying altogether, or make it a thoroughly uncomfortable experience. So is your fear of flying an anxiety or a phobia? And how can you tackle it so that you can fly calmly and confidently. How can you overcome your fear of flying so you can look forward to going to the places you want to go?

For many people, flying isn’t just uncomfortable, it’s deeply distressing. The thought of getting on a plane can trigger anxiety days or even weeks in advance, and for some, it leads to avoiding travel altogether.

If you are able to tackle the initial barrier of buying a ticket, your anxiety and panic starts to increase. You imagine all the worst case scenarios, from the plane going down to having a panic attack and feeling trapped. The closer flying gets, the more you feel restless and get that sinking feeling. The airport can feel hot, claustrophobic and uncomfortable. And being on the plane can lead to panic, hyper alertness and wave after wave of fear. You can arrive at your destination feeling drained and exhausted from all the anxious thoughts and feelings you’ve been trying to deal with.

If you struggle with a fear of flying, you may wonder whether what you’re experiencing is anxiety or a phobia. Understanding the difference is an important first step toward feeling calmer and more in control. And, as my many clients in Ely and Newmarket have gone on to discover, you an feel more calm and in control before and during flying.

 

Fear of Flying: Anxiety or Phobia?

Although the terms anxiety and phobia are often used interchangeably, there is a subtle difference.

 

Flying Anxiety

Flying anxiety tends to involve:

• Ongoing worry before a flight
• Physical symptoms such as tension, nausea, or a racing heart
• Needing reassurance or control to cope
• Anxiety increasing during turbulence or take-off

This often overlaps with general anxiety or panic responses.

👉 You may recognise similar patterns in other areas of life, such as panic attacks or overthinking: What Triggers A Panic Attack?

 

Fear of Flying as a Phobia

A flying phobia is usually more intense and specific. It may include:

• Avoiding flights altogether
• Avoiding talking or thinking about flying
• Strong fear even when thinking or talking about flying
• Feeling out of control or overwhelmed
• Fear that feels irrational but very real

Phobias are learned fear responses that become habitual psychological and emotional patterns in your mind, which is why logic alone doesn’t help you to feel calmer.

 

Why Fear of Flying Feels So Powerful

Fear of flying is rarely just about planes. It often links to:

• Fear of losing control
• Claustrophobia
• Fear of heights
• General anxiety and overthinking
• Fear of panic or embarrassment
• Past anxiety or panic experiences

The nervous system reacts as if danger is present, even when the rational mind knows flying is safe.

This is why people often say, “I know it’s safe — but that doesn’t change it.”

Everyone knows that flying is considered to be the safest mode of transport, especially compared to driving. Yet, emotions like fear and anxiety will always win over logic because of how your mind works to keep you safe.

 

How Hypnotherapy Can Help with Fear of Flying

Hypnotherapy works with how habitual patterns of thoughts, feelings and behaviours work.

We use normal psychological processes, such as imagination, focus, belief and expectation, to change your current fear to a pattern where you feel calm, comfortable and confident.

Hypnotherapy can help by:

• Calming the nervous system’s fear response
• Reducing panic symptoms before and during flights
• Making thoughts about flying more logical and rational
• Changing habitual fearful associations with flying
• Increasing feelings of control, safety and confidence

Rather than forcing yourself to “push through” the fear, or avoiding flying altogether, hypnotherapy helps your mind respond differently automatically.

Here’s what one fear of flying client in Ely said:

“I saw Dan about my fear of flying which had been getting worse over the last ten years. Just the thought of my upcoming flight was filling me with panic and I didn’t want it (and the thought of the flight back) to ruin my holiday.

Thanks to Dan’s help the flight was the best I have ever had! I even helped my partner to relax and we had taken off before he had realised! So thanks for the help. Have enjoyed a wonderful, relaxing holiday with my family.”

Struggling with flying anxiety?
Hypnotherapy can help calm anxiety and fear responses and support you in approaching travel with greater ease — including personalised support through Anxiety Hypnotherapy in Ely.

 

Fear of Flying and Confidence

Many people with a fear of flying also notice:

• Low confidence around travel
• Worry about how they’ll cope
• Fear about what others think or being judged
• Self-criticism for not being able to handle it

This isn’t a personal failing — it’s how anxiety conditions the nervous system.

👉 You may find it helpful to explore the link between anxiety and confidence here:
Social Anxiety vs Low Confidence

 

What to Expect from Hypnotherapy for Fear of Flying

Sessions are calm, supportive and tailored to you. We’ll explore:

• How your fear developed and how it continues
• What triggers it most strongly and how to change it
• How your body responds to the fear and how to feel calmer
• Hypnotherapy techniques to create calmer, safer responses

If you’re new to hypnotherapy, this may also help:
👉 What to Expect in Your First Hypnotherapy Session

Instead of feeling anxious before and during flying, you’ll be able to relax and know it’ll be fine. You’ll feel calm in your thoughts and feelings all the way through going to the places that you want to go. You’ll even be able to handle busy airports, delays to your flight and any turbulence. You may even start to relax and enjoy flying!

There’s more about this here: Fear of Flying

 

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the difference between flying anxiety and phobia?
Flying anxiety involves worry before or during flights, while a phobia is a specific learned fear that can lead to avoidance.

Can hypnotherapy help fear of flying?
Yes, hypnotherapy can calm conditioned fear responses and support a calmer nervous system reaction to flying.

How many sessions might this take?
Individual experiences vary, but many people notice shifts after a few sessions as thinking and feeling responses adjust.

 

You Don’t Have to Avoid Travel Forever

Fear of flying is very common – and very treatable. Whether your fear feels like anxiety, panic, or a specific phobia, hypnotherapy can help you approach flying with greater calm and confidence.

👉 Book a hypnotherapy session
👉 Learn more about anxiety hypnotherapy in Ely
👉 Explore anxiety support resources for fears and phobias

To your health and happiness, 

Dan Regan

Award Winning Anxiety Hypnotherapist in Ely & Newmarket

 

Struggling with anxiety, stress, worry and fear and need some help? Find out how I can help with a Complimentary Hypnotherapy Strategy Session. Learn more here: Appointments

Find out what dozens of other people have said after their hypnotherapy sessions with Dan: Hypnotherapy Testimonials

And check out these powerful hypnosis downloads that can start helping you right away with anxiety, confidence and more: Hypnosis Downloads