To feel worried about travelling on the Dreamliner?

[Emiliex1o]

A bit of background, I used to LOVE flying, but since having a little one, I find I’m constantly worrying when flying with her.

We’re due to go away soon with TUI on the Dreamliner and whilst I’ve been on one before, my flight anxiety is now out of control following the absolutely tragic incident in India and I feel so upset for everyone that was on that flight.

Does anyone else struggle with flight anxiety; if so, how do you do cope with it and would you feel comfortable travelling on a Dreamliner? Because I haven’t really dealt with flight anxiety before, I’m not sure how to approach it.

And yes, I absolutely know the stats around it being the safest mode of travel, but unfortunately, anxiety isn’t rational and doesn’t like listening to statistics!

Same situation! We are traveling tomorrow with BA Dreamliners (2 flights as we need to change) and I'm very anxious.
Since I have two children I am more nervous of traveling (even car) but this tragedy made it a 1000 times worst.

Thankfully, my husband is pretty grounded so his calmness always helps. Plus, I will definitely have a glass of prosecco even on the 6am flight!

Since I’ve had children I haven’t flown. My anxiety around taking them is too much, but I really wish I could push through it because it would be an amazing experience.

All I can say is lightning doesn’t tend to strike twice. The fact that this model of plane was in the crash will mean they will have upped the safety checks on them because they won’t want it to happen again. Right now is probably the safest time to fly on one because they have probably been checked very closely for safety because they have lost their complacency.

As someone who loathes flying, I would recommend giving the prosecco a miss until you’ve landed. It’s a stimulant and so will excacerbate any anxiety that you have.

In the meantime:

1. nip off to Boots and get the 3-for-2 deal on Bachs Rescue Remedy pastilles and munch on them during the flight.
2. Tell a trusted friend or relative where your back door key is and where your wills are kept.
3. See if the Captain Tom fear of flying course is still available on YouTube. It’s probably about 20 years out of date but he is an excellent pilot who explains everything.

Make worst scenario plans and you won’t need to use them. I am flying at the end of August and I haven’t got any of the above in place yet so that’s on my list for July.

Damn, I googled Capt Tom SOAR and he now charges to view the videos.

In a nutshell:

everything is normal and you’re bouncing on air just as you are in a car. It isn’t the tyres that keep the car off the road, it’s the air in the tyres.

Take a cup of water with you on your next journey and see how much of it spills over you. Now think about how much spillage there is on an airplane. That’s how smooth the flight actual is.

I know rationally, there are hundreds of Dreamliners that have taken off and landed since, I don’t know why my anxiety won’t calm down!

I think it’s more, I don’t care what happens to me, but I have a duty of care that my child lives as long as possible and has the best life she can and it stresses me out to the max!

Driving myself nuts over here, just wish I could go back to being a relaxed flyer!

@IfUcantsayanythingnice ohh that’s a good idea actually! 😂

Funnily enough, I don’t find turbulence that bad; what sets my anxiety off is pilot error or mechanical failure because they are two things, completely and utterly out of your control!

The 787 Dreamliner is one of the safest aircraft in the sky. Before the Air India crash, there has never been a fatal accident in 15 years of service.

My son has just started having CBT for claustrophobia which affects his ability to fly. If knowing rationally that the plane is very safe isn't going to help you, maybe that would? It teaches you to control your thoughts around the issue, rather than them controlling you.

On the rational side, that was the first time since the launch of the 787 that one crashed; they have a great safety record compared to other models. Whatever caused the Air India crash was incredibly unlikely.

Three things made a difference to my fear of flying:

1. watching the flight crew when on board - look how unconcerned they are, even when there’s a noise that you think must surely be one of the wings falling off. Their insouciance demonstrates that it’s all completely normal and nothing to worry about

2. understanding that just because something is scary, it doesn’t mean it’s dangerous. It’s ok to feel frightened, you can accept that you’re going to feel that way, but it’s just a feeling, it’s not useful information. Know that it’s not a rational fear and that you are safe, even though you may not feel it

3. a fear of flying hypnosis app, which doesn’t seem to exist now, but there are plenty of others available

@UtterlyUnimaginativeUsername yes this is a good idea - is he finding that it’s helping?

I’m going to trying doing some meditation too to try and control the thoughts, it’s driving me mad!

@NormaMajors1992coat point two is actually really, really useful, so thank you!

I think that’s definitely a thing my mind does, it knows I’m worried and so it assumes I’m in danger and then it actively looks for ‘signs’ to confirm that danger… if that makes sense?!

I completely get it - that was a real OMG realisation for me. You get the fear and that causes various things to happen, like adrenaline, higher pulse etc. and that reinforces the idea that you are in a dangerous situation.

I am still not a fan of flying but it’s much more tolerable now. I know that I’m going to feel a bit uncomfortable but I can live with that. These days I dislike flying because it scares me and it’s not a nice feeling being scared. Whereas before I absolutely hated flying because I thought I was going to die, if that makes sense! I would be so stressed for days beforehand and that has all gone now.

(I was also fine until I had children btw! They are grown up now and are very good at looking after me on planes like I am a crazy person 😂)

This. DH is a pilot and would have absolutely no problems getting on a Dreamliner again - they’re a beautiful, safe aircraft and very comfortable.

The potential for human error is certainly there - DH flew for an Indian airline in the past (was desperate for a job during Covid..!) and he was horrified at the lack of training from some of their pilots, alongside a generally lax attitude towards upkeep of aircraft. In short, I’d happily travel on a Dreamliner but only on a reputable airline!

I don't like flying but I love the dreamliner - and purposefully only fly that long haul. It's got a great safety record, it's been around for a while but not too long so no really old planes, and the air in the cabin doesn't make me feel ill. I understand your irrational fear, but I would still choose a dreamliner over most other long haul planes.

And yes agree with @Cappuccino5 - the airline makes a significant difference.

Also struggling with flight anxiety , I keep thinking it's way more dangerous driving a car and I travel with my children in cars multluples times a day .

I’m no pilot but, from what I can gather, the Air India plane used the entire runway, and took off at the last possible opportunity. So, it may be that the pilots should have rejected the takeoff, even though that in itself would have been extremely risky.

I would suspect that Dreamliners are currently the most over inspected planes in any airline, especially Air India. The maintenance schedules tend to accelerated after a major incident.

If it helps, many years ago I remember look at death stats which had more people killed each year through donkey accidents than on planes. It is still one of the safest ways to travel statistically.

Not what I fly, but as this is specific about the Dreamliner than a generic fear of flying - the recent tragic accident is the first time a Dreamliner has been involved in an incident such as this in literally millions of flights.

All I can say is thank you to everyone who’s posted a reply - I really appreciate it as I’ve had some not so nice responses elsewhere when I’ve shared my worries.

I’m definitely going to try some meditation and perhaps some therapy too so that I can compartmentalise my irrational thoughts towards it as my little girl loves flying and I really don’t want her to pick up on my stress/anxiety!

I get more anxious travelling in the car on motorways with young kids. The possible outcomes are awful.

However, if something goes wrong on a flight, you will all die together, and quickly.

Therefore I don’t worry about it so much.

I always think it’s the safest time to fly just after a crash.

Safety checks will be extremely vigilant and airline companies will be on high alert.

I am feeling exactly the same. Whats worse is we are due to fly Air India in 2 weeks.

Dh is really calm and tries to reassure me but like you mentioned anxiety doesn't listen to stats!
Its going to be a stressful 2 weeks

British airways used to do an excellent fear of flying course.