Take a look inside the fear-of-flying course that helped with my anxiety and changed my whole attitude to turbulence

Sophia AnkelAug 13, 2023, 17:26 IST

I received my certificate after completing the Flying with Confidence course run by British Airways.Sophia Ankel

I have had a fear of flying for many years and particularly hate takeoff and turbulence.
So, I attended a fear-of-flying course with British Airways — and it completely changed my outlook.

In preparation for a busy summer of traveling, I wanted to face my fear of flying.

For years, I have been an anxious flyer. Turbulence in particular is difficult: I have had panic attacks mid-air and held many strangers' hands.

So I attended the Flying with Confidence course, run by British Airways in London, hoping it would change things. It cost £385, which is around $500.

I learned a lot and found that by fully understanding how flying — and turbulence — actually works, I was able to deal with my anxieties better.

The camaraderie and support I received from strangers that day was also heart-warming and made me realise I was not alone.

Here is what the course was like and why it was surprisingly emotional.

The Flying with Confidence course is held by British Airways at the Sofitel Hotel, just outside of London's Heathrow Airport.

The lobby of the Sofitel Hotel next to Heathrow Airport, London, England, on July 8, 2023.Sophia Ankel

The course starts early in the morning and ends late in the afternoon with a short flight in the airspace around Heathrow.

A sign points towards British Airways Flying with Confidence course held at the Sofitel Hotel in London, England.Sophia Ankel

This is me before attending the course. I'm smiling here but I was actually nervous and reluctant to go.

Senior News Reporter Sophia Ankel at the British Airways Flying with Confidence course on July 8, 2023.Sophia Ankel

When I arrived, I noticed many people were already there. I was among around 100 attendees.

People at the British Airways Flying with Confidence course at the Sofitel Hotel in London England, on July 8, 2023.Sophia Ankel

I registered and received my boarding pass, which I had to keep a hold of until later on that day. The destination on the ticket was "fictitious point."

A boarding pass from the British Airways Flying with Confidence course at the Sofitel Hotel in London, England, on July 8, 2023.Sophia Ankel

Before the course began, I mingled with other anxious flyers in the foyer. Socializing was easy as we could all talk about how nervous we were.

People gathered around for the British Airways Flying with Confidence course at the Sofitel Hotel in London England, on July 8, 2023.Sophia Ankel

We were ushered into a theatre to meet the British Airways team of pilots and crew who would accompany us.

British Airways pilots and crew welcome participants of the Flying with Confidence course at the Sofitel Hotel in London England, on July 8, 2023.Sophia Ankel

Then the presentations started. Steve Allright, a pilot who runs the Flying with Confidence course, told us everything from how a plane is able to fly...

A slideshow presented at the British Airways Flying with Confidence course at the Sofitel Hotel in London England, on July 8, 2023.Sophia Ankel

...to what turbulence actually is, and why it's not dangerous.

A pilot presents at the British Airways Flying with Confidence course at the Sofitel Hotel in London England, on July 8, 2023.Sophia Ankel

We got a wide-ranging lunch included in the price of the course. As I ate, I continued to bond with other anxious flyers.

Lunch at the British Airways Flying with Confidence course at the Sofitel Hotel in London England, on July 8, 2023.Sophia Ankel

The second part of the day included a presentation by a psychiatrist, who talked through the psychology of aerophobia and how best to deal with feelings of panic while on a plane.

A psychiatrist speaks at the British Airways Flying with Confidence course at the Sofitel Hotel in London England, on July 8, 2023.Sophia Ankel

The second part of the day included a presentation by a psychiatrist, who talked through the psychology of aerophobia and how best to deal with feelings of panic while on a plane.

Then came the part everyone was dreading. We were split into small groups of six and were escorted through Heathrow Airport.

Participants of the British Airways Flying with Confidence course walk through Heathrow Airport in London England, on July 8, 2023.Sophia Ankel

Just like everyone else, we went through security and then met up with our groups in the departure hall.

Participants at the British Airways Flying with Confidence course walk through Heathrow Airport in London, England, on July 8, 2023.Sophia Ankel

Here is the gate for the flight that we boarded. At this point, nerves were high and some people were already going through their breathing techniques. I was still doing fine.

The gate for the Flying with Confidence course at Heathrow Airport in London England, on July 8, 2023.Sophia Ankel

Here is the gate for the flight that we boarded. At this point, nerves were high and some people were already going through their breathing techniques. I was still doing fine.

Then the flight was ready to board. Using the passes from earlier in the day, we went through the gates towards the plane.

The boarding gates at Heathrow Airport in London England, on July 8, 2023.Sophia Ankel

Walking down the bridge, I spoke to a woman next to me who told me her claustrophobia kept her from boarding a flight for three years.

Participants of the British Airways Flying with Confidence course walk to the plane at Heathrow Airport in London, England, on July 8, 2023.Sophia Ankel

Just outside the plane, some in our group decided to turn back. One woman told me: "I'm really proud of myself for getting this far, but that's all I can do for today."

Participants of the British Airways Flying with Confidence course board the plane at Heathrow Airport in London, England, on July 8, 2023.Sophia Ankel

I found my seat and sat down. Tensions were high, but everyone was checking in with one another — it was really touching to see strangers come together.

Everyone sat on their assigned seats on the British Airways flight.Sophia Ankel

We were given water, which at that point was much needed. I struck up a conversation with the woman sitting next to me, who told me she only became an anxious flyer after the birth of her son.

The author with a water bottle before her British Airways flight departed from Heathrow Airport on July 8, 2023.Sophia Ankel

We were given water, which at that point was much needed. I struck up a conversation with the woman sitting next to me, who told me she only became an anxious flyer after the birth of her son.

Then it was time to take off. I looked out the window and started the breathing techniques I was taught hours earlier. I held hands with my neighbor.

A view outside of the British Airways window shortly before departure.Sophia Ankel

As we ascended, there were cheers and applause from everyone on the plane — we had done it! I was brave even during a brief wave of turbulence.

A view outside the window during turbulence.Sophia Ankel

The flight took about 45 minutes. Once we landed, we could take a proper look at the cockpit and speak to the pilots.

A view of the cockpit on the British Airways flight around Heathrow Airport.Sophia Ankel

All of this was really helpful for me. By learning more about the aviation industry and how planes exactly work, I was able to rationalize my fears.

The author takes a selfie in the cockpit of a British Airways flight on July 8, 2023.Sophia Ankel

At the end of the day I got a certificate. I also received a 10% discount on my next British Airways flight in an effort to encourage me to keep flying.

The certificate received by every person who successfully completed the British Airways Flying with Confidence course.Sophia Ankel

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Take a look inside the fear-of-flying course that helped with my anxiety and changed my whole attitude to turbulence

The Flying with Confidence course is held by British Airways at the Sofitel Hotel, just outside of London's Heathrow Airport.

The course starts early in the morning and ends late in the afternoon with a short flight in the airspace around Heathrow.

This is me before attending the course. I'm smiling here but I was actually nervous and reluctant to go.

When I arrived, I noticed many people were already there. I was among around 100 attendees.

I registered and received my boarding pass, which I had to keep a hold of until later on that day. The destination on the ticket was "fictitious point."

Before the course began, I mingled with other anxious flyers in the foyer. Socializing was easy as we could all talk about how nervous we were.

We were ushered into a theatre to meet the British Airways team of pilots and crew who would accompany us.

Then the presentations started. Steve Allright, a pilot who runs the Flying with Confidence course, told us everything from how a plane is able to fly...

...to what turbulence actually is, and why it's not dangerous.

We got a wide-ranging lunch included in the price of the course. As I ate, I continued to bond with other anxious flyers.

The second part of the day included a presentation by a psychiatrist, who talked through the psychology of aerophobia and how best to deal with feelings of panic while on a plane.

Then came the part everyone was dreading. We were split into small groups of six and were escorted through Heathrow Airport.

Just like everyone else, we went through security and then met up with our groups in the departure hall.

Here is the gate for the flight that we boarded. At this point, nerves were high and some people were already going through their breathing techniques. I was still doing fine.

Then the flight was ready to board. Using the passes from earlier in the day, we went through the gates towards the plane.

Walking down the bridge, I spoke to a woman next to me who told me her claustrophobia kept her from boarding a flight for three years.

Just outside the plane, some in our group decided to turn back. One woman told me: "I'm really proud of myself for getting this far, but that's all I can do for today."

I found my seat and sat down. Tensions were high, but everyone was checking in with one another — it was really touching to see strangers come together.

We were given water, which at that point was much needed. I struck up a conversation with the woman sitting next to me, who told me she only became an anxious flyer after the birth of her son.

Then it was time to take off. I looked out the window and started the breathing techniques I was taught hours earlier. I held hands with my neighbor.

As we ascended, there were cheers and applause from everyone on the plane — we had done it! I was brave even during a brief wave of turbulence.

The flight took about 45 minutes. Once we landed, we could take a proper look at the cockpit and speak to the pilots.

All of this was really helpful for me. By learning more about the aviation industry and how planes exactly work, I was able to rationalize my fears.

At the end of the day I got a certificate. I also received a 10% discount on my next British Airways flight in an effort to encourage me to keep flying.