Anxious flier: flying to Hawaii tomorrow?

Question

Hi,

I am a fearful (anxious) flier and I am flying to Hawaii tomorrow. I am flying from Detroit to Denver and then from Denver to Hawaii. I am flying a Boeing 737-300 and a Boeing 777-200. Are those safe planes? I am afraid that the plane will explode in the air. I know a lot of my fears are unfounded but I would appreciate the support.


Thank you

Answer 1

The safest way to travel. I think about WWII bomber planes that flew safetly over Europe over fifty years ago, and they were being shot at. Hope that helps.

Answer 2

If you can, get a window seat. If you're afraid of heights, then don't. But with a window seat, you'll feel like you know more of what's going on.

And expect bumps. Don't be afraid. I think I read somewhere that a Boeing 747's wingtips can flex 22 feet up and down safely. And that's a rather old airplane now. So if you see the wingtips flexing, don't be concerned.

If you suddenly have to use the bathroom on your long flight and there are a lot of people in your way, if you're like me, you'll have a heightened heart rate and panic easier. So instead go to the bathroom right before they start to serve meals. People know food is coming, so they'll sit in their seats, leaving the bathrooms mostly empty. After meals, people always have to use the bathrooms. You'll be calmer throughout your entire flight.

A Boeing 737 is a relatively small plane in the world of commercial jets, and has been in service for quite a while. But it's quick and reliable. The Boeing 777 is newer, quite large, and rather cramped in economy in the back (if you're back there, try hard for an aisle seat). So try and get a Bulkhead or Emergency Row seat. The extra leg room is nice for attempting to take a nap.
(If you're in business class or first class, expect some pretty nice meals and seats) That plane should also have handicap-accessible bathrooms. Those should be your preference, as they're at least double the size of the other bathrooms (or lavatories, as they are called). You can stretch out a bit in there, which is nice.

And lastly, have fun. Play Microsoft Flight Simulator at home before leaving. Learn about airplanes a bit (I know you're leaving soon, but that's okay). Then when you're on the airplane, you'll be interested in what's going on, instead of afraid. You'll know that those "holes" which just appeared in the wings were actually created by the flaps being lowered and the airbrakes being raised. (giving more lift and slowing the airplane)

And lastly, if you're hungry or thirsty, just ask. Go to where the flight attendants are (and where the food trays are stored) and ask for pretzels. They almost always will give you as many pretzels as you want (I was once given a half-gallon zip-loc full of the mini-bags). And they're unlikely to give you extra soda, so instead ask for water. And be kind to them, they'll likely be kind to you.


And remember, have fun. Take a stroll up and down the plane. You're headed to Hawaii.


Have a great trip!

Answer 3

I have been an aircraft mechanic, pilot, and flight instructor over a period of many many years. I would never hesitate to fly on those two particular aircraft.
You are far more likely to die on the highway going to Detroit Metro than you are to die in a plane crash. I understand about unreasonable fears. When I was a child, I was always afraid that the car would fall through damage on a bridge.
Airplanes do not explode in the air, unless they are shot with a missile or bombed.
Enjoy your trip to Hawaii, I know Hawaii will be a nice change from Michigan, but then anywhere would be a nice change from Michigan!

Answer 4

Mymoms and dads freind is a captain of the 777-200's very good plane quite new and the 737-300 a little old but they are updated so no worries air travel is the safest way to travel you go on the news and hear about a car crash or two everyday but rarley of a plane crash hope that helps have a nice trip

Answer 5

Explode? No.

I know this sounds kind of flippant, but I'd be more concerned about being cooped up on a plane for that long. I've flown plenty of times and never had a problem (except for luggage!). I would suggest bringing motion sickness medicine with a sleep aid in it. Dramamine (sp?) is a very popular one. That way you won't have to worry about physical feelings making your emotional feelings worse. Also, I find that the most scary part of flying is when you hit unexpected turbulace, which isn't a big deal -- usually just clouds or wind currents -- but if you are asleep during that you won't even notice.

Good luck!

Answer 6

I flew to Hawaii this past summer. The flights were all smooth, and reasonably comfortable. One thing that kept me feeling good was that, for plenty of the flight, we were over land, and therefore potential airfields should anything bad happen, and then we would be over water, and since i was sitting on a flotation device ;-) i felt good about that too. I used to be afraid of flying too, but then, I booked a spur of the moment trip including a short flight on jetblue, and suddenly, the fear was gone. I think that with a fear like this, getting some miles in the air under your belt will help get rid of that fear more than anything else.

Answer 7

Planes don't just explode mid-air. That didnt even happen back in the early days of flying. There are hundreds of thousands of flights each day and an extereamly high majority of them go perfectly. The last major airliner crash I can remember was 2 years ago and there were no fatalities.

Answer 8

Yes, all planes can explode at anytime. However, for one to happen, it would be something really horrific that would go wrong with it like carrying dangerous materials such as leaking oxygen containers that caused an major accident before over Florida ohh so long ago. So, don't fly, take a cruise!

Answer 9

The planes will not explode. Boeings are really great planes, and the 777 is one of, if not, the safest and most-advanced aircraft in the world. Enjoy your flights!

Answer 10

Have a good trip. Think about beaches and women in spandex.

At any given point in time, there can be as many as 6000 commercial aircraft in the air over the US at the same time. (On 9-11-2001, the FAA was ordered to land 4500 of them at their nearest air fields, 20 minutes after grounding all the others ready to take off.)

None of them explode in mid air, ever. The odds are with you.

Answer 11

fear of flying is not unusual. here's some things you can do to eliminate your anxiety. find a really excellent book to read on route. If you have a portable DVD player, take it and some good movies to watch, or take some other form of personal entertainment to relax you. Find someone to have a good conversation with. It is going to be a fairly long day for you just relax and go with it. You are most likely afraid because it is an unfamiliar mod of travel for you, and the only thing you see on TV about flying is all the bad news. Flying is statistically way way safer than driving your own vehicle