What if I can’t get on the plane?

Some business class configurations are not twin seats either..

personally I would seek out proper medication rather then rely on wine for long haul. As the alcohol wears off your anxiety will increase with a vengeance. I just arrived home from a flight that was re-routed due to turbulence and although I have a strong stomach, had I consumed several glasses of wine, I think the seat would have been wearing it.

What else are you doing to help with your panic? A friend takes Valium and listens to meditation tapes in advance of flying.

You will be fine - ask at the desk prior to boarding they may be able to juggle but also in business .. well .. you’ll have a lot of solo travellers travelling with work .. who won’t care if they swap their seat so you could just ask nicely if they would mind swapping and I’m sure you can sit together. You’ll be fine.

I had hypnotherapy for my fear of flying- worth every penny. I had a few sessions but some therapists advertise relief in just 1 session! Last time I took off reading a book 😂

Huh?! I cant work out if this was a joke or a serious suggestion. Just in case- OP don’t do this.

If you can't get seats together, explain to the person you are next to that you areca nervous flyer and would they mind holding your hand for take-off and landing. I'm sure they won't mind. Enjoy your holiday, the flight is just a short part of it....

I too am a nervous flyer, so I completely understand. As others have said, try to get to the airport early and speak to a member or airline staff, I'm sure they'll help if they can. I get valium on prescription from my GP - this really takes the edge off. Maybe you could discuss it with your GP? Good luck, and please don't let your fears stop you from flying.

A flight back from Venezuela, that was like Alton towers ride. But we're still here. Kids thought it awesome

You are probably unsettled by today’s news OP. My take on it would be this- the turbulence was so severe that people were thrown up to the ceiling but the plane landed safely. The takeaway point here is that you should wear your seatbelt at all times, including when sleeping in a flat bed.

It does not mean that a plane is more likely to crash.

Frequent business class long haul traveller here. I've seen on more than one occasion people swap who are on their own. So it's worth scouting the cabin and asking if anyone would swap. In example two people were solo travelling sat beside one another and swapped.

DH, DS and me had 2 seats together and one across the aisle. It was £250 to choose seats and we thought we would risk it, in the knowledge they wouldn't separate DS from us as he's young.

Also most business class seats as others have pointed out are not that close together. There's so much to do flying business, three course meals that you choose from a menu, snacks that come round, the entertainment on board as you have in economy but with a bed, warm towel and complimentary Champagne when you get on. You don't need your friend there necessarily.

So many angry people on this thread, and with random axes to grind!

OP I got diazepam for flying from the doc last month. They help relax you as much as a glass of wine, roughly.

Long haul is much better than short haul, usually, as the planes are bigger and higher and seem more stable.

Tell the cabin crew you have fear of flying - they are usually lovely.

Can you get a nervous flyer ''lesson''? If too late for that, search YouTube for a video.

Hmmm. Go easy on the drugs and alcohol cocktail.

Not true at all. I cannot remember the last time I've paid for seat selection in business class (though Lufthansa and Swiss, for example, have some seats that are an extra charge). Are there some airlines where most fares have an additional charge for seat selection (even in business)? Yes, absolutely (BA being one) but categorically wrong to state that "You have to pay with any airline if you want to sit together".

@DappledThings

But it makes sense they want people to rest as much as possible so not that surprising that made a day flight dark too.

I think it's fair to say OP's flight could go either way.

Yep, depends on the airline but you often get lots of connecting passengers in BC on many routes so to some extent it’s easier for the crew have to cater for those that want/need sleep.

Darned frustrating if you are one of the outliers who wants to enjoy the view - IMO tinted windows controlled by the cabin crew are the work of the devil….

What a cop out, when I've known zombie mummies at the school gates whose GPs prescribed god knows what.

I had diazepam prescribed and that was really helpful. But even more useful was a really good book, 'Flying with Confidence' by BA with info and practical suggestions. I was really sceptical but it was amazing - explained how a plane works, what most of the noises are, turbulence, and so on. It also had tips for reducing anxiety with breathing and muscle exercises. Because of that, I don't even always need the diazepam now. (And I used to be a shaking, crying, vomiting wreck on flights, so it really has effected a massive change.)

Not that I was aware of! It was slightly unexpected. On the way out I expected it because we left at noon but going East that quickly became a night flight. But it makes sense they want people to rest as much as possible so not that surprising that made a day flight dark too.

I think it's fair to say OP's flight could go either way.

Those ashwagandha gummies are good for anxiety but try them first as they can cause nausea .

I really sympathise op.

I think it’s better to disappoint your friend now than at check-in.

You’re not even really sitting next to people in long haul lie flat business. All very enclosed. The centre seats sometimes have a partition you can lower if you want to interact with a companion but it’s up and private by default. All seats have same access to the aisle.

OP, are either of you or your friend already in the middle section? If not, you are both going to have to move if you want to hold her hand.

If one of you is middle and one of you is window then you have a good shout at getting the person in the other half of the middle seat pair to swap, because window seats are slightly nicer and still have same access to the aisle.

I'd don't like flying either, but business class on long haul is completely different to short haul economy. You'll likely be in a little cubicle, where you disturb no-one, you have aisle access and lovely noise cancelling head phones. But do ask at check in if they can move you.

I flew to Buenos Aires last year (16 hours) and it was fine.

I quite like flying (although long haul can be bum-numbing) but I always feel full of anxiety before the flight. On the way to the airport I try deep breathing. I can’t eat when I get there and I look round at other people just getting on with it and I wonder how they can. Once at the gate I sort of start to calm down and getting onto the plane is exciting because I feel so proud that I’m doing it 🤣 Try to sit in an aisle seat. You can have a good look around at what everyone is doing etc. Once the plane starts to move away from the terminal the excitement is overwhelming. Don’t give in and not go. Once you do that the fear will have got the better of you. Have a fab time x

My DD is cabin crew and she regularly has passengers who are terrified of flying. She's more than happy to reassure and keep an eye on them.

Also, have a drink or three in the airport and maybe you'll fall asleep for a big part of the journey!

No. Did you see my follow-up where I confirmed this was exactly my experience less than a week ago on a day flight in BC?

Was the airline being run by Gina Ford?