Flight to jersey from Heathrow or exeter?

[JennyBeanR]

Hi all, short overview of my issue.
I have a non verbal autistic DD (4). By the time we fly, she'll be 5. She's in a special needs school and we are working on pecs. She has trouble with transitions but generally enjoys going out to new places and is a happy child. I am not worried about taking her away on a short summer holiday to Jersey. I think she'll love it. I am worried a bit of how she may feel on the plane, but since it's such a short flight, I think it should be manageable.
But here's my problem. I am extremely frightened of flying. I've flown a lot, but the last time I did (a long haul), I had a panic attack and it scared me so much that I've not flown in 8 years.
I hate being like that. I hate missing out on lovely holidays and I don't want my DD to miss out because of me.
So that's why I decided to book a Jersey holiday at Golden Sands, but I've not yet booked the flight. I was going to book Exeter airport (Blue Islands) as it's local and the flight would only be 45 minutes, however I understand those are small planes (with about 40 seats). I am frightened that a small plane would feel turbulence worse and make my anxiety worse...and therefore make it harder to take care of my DD.
So I'm considering driving 3+ hours up to London and catching a BA or EasyJet to Jersey instead. This adds additional cost (£70 if I book a hotel the night before, plus another £80 for parking, and fuel driving up).

I'm not sure if going via London is the best solution to ease me back into flying or if I'm being silly and should just book the Exeter flight.

So please mumsnet, help me!
YABU to book a flight from london when Exeter will be fine!
YANBU - small planes suck, go large!

I think the anxiety of driving three hours to an airport will build up quite a lot of stress. It may be that the smaller plane is slightly more bumpy but offsetting that against a lot more travel, cost, massive airport etc is worth it.

You will get a lot better service on a little plane as well

It doesn't address the flying anxiety issue, but how about getting the ferry instead? You can separately deal with the flying anxiety.

(Though if you want a really short flight to Jersey go from Southampton - you barely get up in the air and you're going down again).

I think going from Exeter is much better - the motorway journey would be more stressful for me.

I've been to the Channel Islands quite a few times, mainly with Flybe or Blue Islands small planes (and Aurigny to Guernsey) and it is a much nicer experience than with BA. BA flights tend to be much less reliable (have a look at the Jersey airports departures board and compare) and Heathrow is a busy stressful airport, whereas Exeter will be calm and the chances of luggage going missing are slim as well.

The actual flight time is only about 30 minutes. If it is very windy there will be turbulence, but keep your seatbelt on and close your eyes. It will only be for a few minutes and the buffeting is only on the way up and down. But if you are going in the summer it is likely to be calm anyway.

Enjoy -Jersey is a great place and I think your dd will love it.

PS we once went to Jersey with BA from Gatwick and weren't keen.

We usually fly from Southampton, but the flight time is almost the same from Exeter. And it's not worth driving all that way if Exeter is closer (you could also look at Bristol but it's still Blue Islands so there isn't much point).

Ferries are quite unreliable. And vomit-inducing.

Are you sure the Heathrow plane to Jersey will be big enough to stabilize any turbulence?

I'd go from Exeter, or catch a ferry. Heathrow is a busy place. I'm not sure that would help your daughter. Is another adult going with you incase you need support?

I was also going to suggest Southampton with Blue Islands. Small airport, short flight.

Also on way home there is an upstairs lounge at jersey airport that many people don't discover that is nice and calm.

Jersey is lovely. Greve de Lecq or Ouisaine for quieter beaches.

I'm a nervous flyer, and I'd say a 40 seat plane won't be that bad. We flew to Jersey from Southampton (or maybe Guernsey, can't remember...) on a 16 seater and I did find that a bit hairy.

I would imagine the plane from London will be a bit bigger, but it's not going to be massive. I'd stick with the 40 seater. Have you looked at Bristol? That's a bigger airport than Exeter (so may fly bigger planes), but not as far as London.

Heathrow airport is very stress inducing in itself. I haven’t flown in a plane to Jersey from either airport but Exeter airport is a dream in comparison so you’ll be less stressed from the outset.

Just to confirm, Blue Islands flies the Bristol-Jersey route and the planes will be the same as Exeter and Southampton.

What I definitely would not suggest is flying from Southampton to Alderney :) The planes are tiny! I am not sure I am up to those

EXT to JER would be my choice. Absolutely no hubbub. Smaller aircraft with less people would also be a bonus.

The only time I didn't have a panic attack was when I flew in a 40 seater in the Caribbean. I hope this helps.

Is there a ferry boat instead ?

Oh I forgot to say, the Blue Islands planes have about 19 rows of seats with 4 seats each, so they are bigger than you think they are.

Yes but you have to go from Poole or Portsmouth, which are a long way from Exeter, they take a minimum of 4 hours and are not very reliable anyway. And if the Channel is rough...

We used to go by ferry until we discovered how easy it was to fly from Southampton and use the buses once there.

I did Bham to Jersey on Blue Island last year, as a nervous flyer , first time in years.

It was probably the best flight I've ever had.

It was very well organised on and off, very little waiting around, the staff were very friendly (very chatty pilot who was also v funny)

No turbulence at all.

Jersey airport has the new scanners (no fluid restrictions) so coming back even easier

Heathrow is a huge busy airport, I've not flown from Exeter but the regionals I have used have been a far calmer experience. Add to the extra travel and I think Exeter would be far more sensible.
I've been on a 777 and had several turbulence, and been on small props with nothing at all. It's a quick hop you're doing and just luck if it's bumpy at all. Watch a few YouTube videos, I recommend Mentour Pilot, about turbulence and how it's nothing to worry about.

When I have been to jersey and guernsey from LGW they have been turbo prop planes, they are noisy and they do feel the turbulence. Not to scare you op but just so you are aware.

However, there may be no turbulence at all.

Wow thank you for all of the replies! I have downloaded a couple of audiobooks about flying anxiety, and I have just watched a youtube video on a blue islands turboprop to jersey. I think I am inclined to agree that flying from London is not the way to handle this.

As it's such a short flight, it does seem silly to add 3+ hours travelling to it. Plus, even though my DD likes the car, I'm not sure how much she'd enjoy over 3 hours. The longest she's done is about 1.5 hours to Bristol. I think I'd have to stop loads, and bring lots of food...

To answer a PP about having support. I am taking DD on my own. We are having a family holiday to the Netherlands next month (on Eurostar). My DP is also afraid of flying and recently had a bad experience taking his son to Rome, so I don't think he'd be very helpful with the flight anxiety. Also, he's not keen on beach holidays, whereas me and DD love the beach. I'm hoping to conquer my flight anxiety, and be able to take DD to Spain or Greece next year. I think (hope) flying to Jersey can give me the boost I need to get back into it.

Thanks, I'll check that out!

Jersey isn't just a beach holiday, there is loads to do there. Lots of history, castles, nice places to eat, good shopping, walking, cycling, watersports (right in front of the hotel you've booked) and a parkrun! Your DP would find plenty to do that doesn't involve the beach. I don't like beach holidays either and am bored after 10 minutes on a beach.

That's lovely to hear.
I suppose with a smaller airport and plane it will be easier to get assistance as well. I think my DD will be fine, but the only real concern is the sounds on the plane. She has ear defenders, but I think I will invest in a pair with better soundproofing in case the flight is very loud.
Otherwise, I'm also thinking a portable dvd player and peppa pig disk will work on the journey. She would usually play on her tablet when travelling in a car or train, but since there's no wifi I don't think that's a good idea as she generally favors the games which require some kind of internet access (or youtube kids!).

I mentioned the zoo, museums, etc but he's not keen. Perhaps after we go in the summer I'll be able to lure him. But he's run down from two holidays last year somewhat out of his control (and as mentioned, he hates flying).

I am planning one day at the zoo though. If the weather is bad then I suppose we'll need to check out an indoor pool or perhaps make it a museum and shops day. We're only going for 3 nights so I will need to do research and put together a daily planner before we go.

Hi OP, I think going from Exeter to Jersey will be nicer. You'll probably take off, gain height, then descend as the flight is so short.

Do you have the time/money/inclination to complete a fear of flying course? I have a close friend who has severe OCD, anxiety, panic attacks and all the rest of it, and has cancelled holidays at the last moment (leaving me in the lurch, lol) because she couldn't handle flying. A few years ago she did a course with either BA or Virgin, I can't remember which, but not long after she was jetting off on holiday a few times a year. She even flew from Heathrow to Australia by herself! She still gets nervous, but she doesn't have such a terrible time anymore. I would highly recommend it :) https://flyingwithconfidence.com/

The zoo is v.good but pricey. (We are members)
Walking out on the causeway to Corbiere lighthouse is fun and free.
The Maritime museum in St Helier is interactive.

However as it is only 3 days and you are based in St Brelades and you like beaches then you may find you don't need to move at all.