Nervous flyer trying to get some reassurance

Hi everyone,

My first real post on this website, I hope I'm putting this in the correct section.
I've just booked my place on my first ever Virgin Atlantic flight. I've previously flown to the Alps and Europe but that's about it, and I try to avoid flying at all costs if possible. I used to be fine about it until a few turbulent flights earlier this year (which were according to everyone else on board....calm) to me, they weren't!

So hearing horror stories about turbulence through the jet stream I'm terrified about having to take this flight to MCO from MAN in January (VS75 on 26th Jan.)
The thought of being stuck on a plane for almost 10 hours is making me feel sick just sat here and it's not for almost 3 months yet!

So, being as paranoid as I am I've come across this website to try find out about which plane I'll be on etc. Using your very hand "Which aircraft" tool and knowing from my booking that it's an Airbus A330-300, it looks like I'll be on either:
Champagne Belle - G-VINE
Beauty Queen - G-VSXY
Or less likely - Mademoiselle Rouge G-VKSS

Now I was hoping to be going out on a Boeing 4 engined aircraft as I imagined these would be more stable being larger and also safer (due to having more engines and therefore more likely to stay airborne). So finding out I'm on the only aircraft Virgin own with 2 engines (or so I'm lead to believe) I'm very apprehensive.

How safe are these aircraft? I notice they're not very old at all, hardly 2 years old infact. Although I also notice G-VSKY had a small fire on board last year?
This doesn't fill me with confidence.
I read that their unique wing design is economic but also isn't the most stable when it comes to handling turbulence?

How rough is it flying over the Atlantic and through the Jet Stream etc?

My only reassurance is that I know Virgin provide some of the best services in other aspects of public transport, and as a regular train user, they're my preferred train company. So if their aircraft are anything like their locomotives I should hopefully be a happy flier. Although at this moment in time I think I'd rather swim to Orlando than Fly! ?|

So sorry you are nervous.
Please do remember it is THE safest way to travel - bar none!
I have been traveling regularly for about 12 years. If you sit in your seat, with the seat belt secure, as you are told, you will have no issues. I have had one, perhaps two "big" turbulence moments in 12 years and that was just a funny fairground ride feeling in my belly.

Take this thought. If these aircraft were not safe do you think the pilots and other crew would get on them and chose this as their career ??

Virgin do a nervous flyer scheme, look on the website and check it our. Flying is amazing, after all this time I still look out the window and go "Wow"
I'm lucky to be able to do with my job. You should try to enjoy.
Best of luck.

My first real post on this website, I hope I'm putting this in the correct section.
I've just booked my place on my first ever Virgin Atlantic flight. I've previously flown to the Alps and Europe but that's about it, and I try to avoid flying at all costs if possible. I used to be fine about it until a few turbulent flights earlier this year (which were according to everyone else on board....calm) to me, they weren't!

I travel regularly with my best friend who is a terribly nervous flyer so I do sympathise. Every ding, knock, cough is matched to a "What Was THAT?" question ... so please do not think you are alone.

One of the best things you can do as soon as you board, is after settling yourself into your seat quickly (you may find the window more comforting as you can see out or you may prefer the aisle so you can imagine (as LovingGold said) that you are on a fairground ride) is to find a member of the Crew and let them know you are a nervous flyer. The Crew are trained to help you and the ones I have met have never belittled my friend or announced to the rest of the cabin that you are a nervous flier. They will stop by a few times just to see if you are OK. It isn't patronising. They will also let you when turbulence is coming up and explain WHY things clank and bang about.

I wouldn't suggest having too much to drink beforehand unless you can handle your drink well. Feeling airsick from too much to drink will heighten all of those emotions !

Planes do make a lot of noise. Planes do shift in the air due to air currents etc and LovingGold put it perfectly when saying that the pilots and crew do this as their job and if it wasn't safe etc ... The pilot wouldn't risk any danger to any passenger, crew member or him/herself by flying an unsafe plane.

So hearing horror stories about turbulence through the jet stream I'm terrified about having to take this flight to MCO from MAN in January (VS75 on 26th Jan.)
The thought of being stuck on a plane for almost 10 hours is making me feel sick just sat here and it's not for almost 3 months yet!

Think of this as an adventure and how proud you will feel when you land that you "made it".

How rough is it flying over the Atlantic and through the Jet Stream etc?

There can be perfectly smooth flights where you don't feel any movement at all. They can be some, depending on direction when you can feel the turbulence. Like I said, speak to a member of the Crew and they will talk you through any unsettling times.

Pack some entertainment for the flight - a good book, some music or tablet or whatever you have. Something you find comforting. Try to get some sleep as well, even if only for a few minutes. Drink plenty of water and have a wander about the cabin when you can. Eat something a couple of hours before you board to get it a chance to settle in your tummy and then if you cannot eat on board, a light snack may suffice instead.

Wear your favourite comfortable clothes. Something layered is good on a flight. Make sure you are comfortable.

On other forums there is advice such as "take sleeping pills" but I wouldn't recommend you travel down that route if you can help it.

Good luck xx

Please don't be nervous!

I think it's very difficult for anyone to understand how you feel not experiencing it themselves.

I'll try and address a few of your points!

The number of engines really has ver little to do with the ability to stay airborne. The Boeing 747 has 4 less powerful engines whilst the 777 has two engines that produce some monster power. A useful to point out is that (IMO) generally Airbus aircraft "noises" are more noticable, what I mean by this is the flaps exending and hydraulics working are more audible on an airbus. Have you ever been to Europe and heard a 'barking dog' or 'sawwing' like sound on an Airbus A319/20/21 aircraft? That is the hydraulics balancing. That is what I mean... totally normal but worth pointing out.

When any 2 engine aircraft crosses an extended strech of water (or flies down over Africa) a set of rules have to be adhered to known as ETOPS. This means that the aircraft has to always be within a certain flying distance of a suitable airport for landing.

The aircraft are incredibly safe, the Airbus A330 is a very popular aircraft choice. Monarch, Lufthansa, US Airways, South Afican Airways, Qantas and Cathay Pacific just to name a few all operate it.

Towards the USA all jet-streams are avoided as they operate from west to east and would slow you down. Pilots/flight ops take advantage of them on the way home. The flight plans are created to avoid turbulence and bad weather. If turbulence occurs en-route the pilots will always know about it and will always fly around it if it's bad (provided ATC allow it!). Failing that a change in altitude will often fix it, climbing or decending 2000 feet to avoid turbulence is quite common.

I hope this has given you a little insight! If you have any more questions then fire away!

Most of all, have a fantastic trip to Florida!!!

Hello,
I can honestly say that the fear of flying course from virgin really does work. My wife is (was) terrified of flying and this course which is held at many venues including manchester airport has been a real help. I'm not saying that it has reversed her fear but it has helped dramatically. The day included a pilot going through the progression of a flight and then q and a time, this all came together when everyone actually got on the plane (an airbus as it happened although monarch) took off and travelled on a half hour flight or so. I can't remember the cost £180 or so but I can tell you it is money well spent.

All the best John

[honey lamb]

VS also have a Flying Without Fear app which you might find helpful and as others said, do let the crew know as they will be your best friends on the flight

Thanks for all the tips everyone. I'm really not that bad with the noise of the aircraft etc. I understand the noises of flaps and landing gears etc. It's literally the turbulence alone that scares me. The rocking left to right, and then the sudden vertical falling sensation, which I've been told I've only experienced VERY lightly. Then the one that really worries me is wind shear low to the ground which could force the aircraft up or down at the last moment! :/

Being a usual train commputer I've recently tried to look at how much the train rocks about, and sometimes it's similar to the turbulence I've experienced on aircraft, it's just that that rocking is on the ground at 60mph...in a plane it's 32,000ft up at 500mph! :/ Something about that isn't right in my head! I always just try to imagine I'm on a train or land vehicle though. Although this doesn't seem to help much.
I guess the turbulence in the alps has been quite bad being winter and the mountains don't help. I'm cautious about how rough the jet stream will be though, as I imagine it's a turbulent environment.

I usually have 1 pint before I fly to try calm the nerves, never any more though as I don't want it to have an adverse affect on me, haha.

I've only had to leave my seat once on a flight and hated that, the rocking about etc was even worse than sitting down. I know I'll have to leave my seat at some point on my Atlantic flight but I'm worried that as soon as I stand up we'll hit some unexpected turbulance as I know it can't all be avoided.

With the engine issue. You say they always have to be within a certain distance of an airport, but if an engine fails at half way point surely we'll be about 2500miles from the nearest airport and I'm sure they can't glide that far can they? lol

Thanks for the tips about telling the cabin crew. I never considered this! Hopefully they will be better than the Thomson flight I boarded last who's reaction was "oh did you not see us fly in? we had to abort our first two landings it's that rought out" - this didn't help my confidence issues on that flight. I will likely raise my worries with the Virgin crew, in the hope they can comfort me.

I looked at Virgin's fear of flying course, but the price is quite expensive and I'm on a tight budget for the holiday as it is, so think I may have to miss that. I have a turbulence app for my phone which gives maps of turbulant forecasts, not that I fully understand them! haha

Thanks again for the tips everyone. I'm hoping that Batman will still be on the Virgin entertainment system for my flight, then i can take the other 2 films with me and just have a batman marathon all the way and try ignore what's happening around me! haha

I hope you don't mind me saying this, but I think you are over-thinking it a bit - the more worried you get, the more you will be upset by the slightest bump! I fly a fair bit and on most flights there is no turbulence at all or just the odd jolt. What you have to try to remember is that modern aircraft are incredibly strong and they want to stay in the air - a lot of turbulence is the result of the aircraft rising because of strong air currents, and then sinking back to their cruising level. And you really shouldn't worry about having "only" 2 engines - as has been pointed out, there is an enhanced regulatory regime for such flights, and you are actually never too far from an airport - certainly not 2500 miles!

Good luck - and certainly talk to the crew because they are experienced and they will be sympathetic.

To reassure you I prefer the airbus it is a lighter cabin in my opinion.

And I think I heard somewhere that on most standard flights from the US in to LHR the flight crew turn the engines on to idle over the Birmingham area so yes you can fly for some distance safely on one engine.

The plane will also remain airborne for some time with no power as it is just like a big glider.

Being a nervous flyer is OK! Flying is something amazing and it's natural to think about it over and over again. Sometimes facts and figures don't help because the fear is really, of the unknown.

One of the things that Virgin told a passenger I flew with once was "the flight you are on is NOT an experiment. It's not the first time."

And the crew will help you too if you feel panicky on board.

And think about what is waiting for you at the end of the flight! Orlando! How amazing will that be? The flight is just a hop skip and jump to get there!

On two v four engines, pilots prefer two and simply because two give them more power in reserve when needed than four - lots of reasons for this but one is that a two engined aircraft can only be certified if one engine fails on take off and can fly with the other, a four engined aircraft can also have one fail but rely on the other three. Now this might concern you, but don't let it, what it means if you think about it is that two engined aircraft in flight have much more umph in reserve than four.

On turbulence, I've (touch wood) never experienced bad turbulence in five years and around 200 VS flights. Seat belts on turbulence yes but only rarely. Of course it can happen but there are worse places in the world than between here and the US and don't forget that flight plans are made to avoid known heavy turbulence simply for passenger comfort and safety.

I used to be much more nervous than I am now, practice helps but one thing I used to consider is that at any moment in time there are many thousands, even tens of thousands of planes in the air, with millions of people on them, and incidents are so rare that you really have to search hard to find one.

Look forward to your flight, get some noise cancelling headphones too, they really help keep things calm in flight.

On two v four engines...........

They only prefer two engines when they have started with two engines, anything less than four when they have started with four is a bum rush !

Anyway, the windshear at the airports you are going to will be bread and butter to the pilots - and that is if there are any. There are a lot of small airfields that have windshear and sink close to the fence if you come in over building/trees, etc, but all the pilots are expecting it and will react appropriately. If in any doubt they are trained to go-around. I know the sensation is odd if you don't like it or experience it a lot but it really is just like a bumpy road in a car - except much much safer. Just practice breathing slowly, distract yourself and you are going to be just fine.

I would highly HIGHLY recommend the Virgin Flying without Fear course. I was absolutely terrified of flying, would avoid at all costs and then only do it when I was extremely medicated. I did the course at Heathrow, it was about £199 I think. It was the best thing I ever did. They have a book that goes with the course that I take with me now when I fly, they also have a channel on the entertainment system that talks you through the relaxation techniques.

The best part for me when was the pilot delivers a lecture on the physics of flight, this was so helpful. It explains all the little bumps and noises.

I'll never skip on to a plane but the course has helped me to not dread a flight any more and to feel much more comfortable when experiencing turbulence.

Good luck with your flight and I hope you enjoy it as best you can.

[buns]

RachelCox

I think your post is so helpful - I am not somone who has had a fear, but know of others who have and will use your comments to help them oo) oo)

buns

Thank you for all the help everyone. Just hearing some of your words of advice is reassuring. I'm sure I'll be back to this website to let you all know of my experience. I'll try to remain calm this time and not let every little bump bother me. The build up I don't think helps, as I have all this time to worry about it approaching. I think putting it in perspective of how many flights are in the sky at any one time is a good point, never really thought about it like that.

Thanks again everybody. I feel more reassured already, I promise to try enjoy it best I can!

[buns]

Thank you for all the help everyone. Just hearing some of your words of advice is reassuring. I'm sure I'll be back to this website to let you all know of my experience. I'll try to remain calm this time and not let every little bump bother me. The build up I don't think helps, as I have all this time to worry about it approaching. I think putting it in perspective of how many flights are in the sky at any one time is a good point, never really thought about it like that.

Thanks again everybody. I feel more reassured already, I promise to try enjoy it best I can!

y) y) y)

A very positive approach

As much as you want to let us all know how you get on, you know that the V Flyer Community are poised to give you advice and support along your journey

buns

This may give you an insight into the Flying without Fear course:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ayXvS5b9jVE

Hi everyone,

My first real post on this website, I hope I'm putting this in the correct section.
I've just booked my place on my first ever Virgin Atlantic flight. I've previously flown to the Alps and Europe but that's about it, and I try to avoid flying at all costs if possible. I used to be fine about it until a few turbulent flights earlier this year (which were according to everyone else on board....calm) to me, they weren't!

So hearing horror stories about turbulence through the jet stream I'm terrified about having to take this flight to MCO from MAN in January (VS75 on 26th Jan.)
The thought of being stuck on a plane for almost 10 hours is making me feel sick just sat here and it's not for almost 3 months yet!

So, being as paranoid as I am I've come across this website to try find out about which plane I'll be on etc. Using your very hand "Which aircraft" tool and knowing from my booking that it's an Airbus A330-300, it looks like I'll be on either:
Champagne Belle - G-VINE
Beauty Queen - G-VSXY
Or less likely - Mademoiselle Rouge G-VKSS

Now I was hoping to be going out on a Boeing 4 engined aircraft as I imagined these would be more stable being larger and also safer (due to having more engines and therefore more likely to stay airborne). So finding out I'm on the only aircraft Virgin own with 2 engines (or so I'm lead to believe) I'm very apprehensive.

How safe are these aircraft? I notice they're not very old at all, hardly 2 years old infact. Although I also notice G-VSKY had a small fire on board last year?
This doesn't fill me with confidence.
I read that their unique wing design is economic but also isn't the most stable when it comes to handling turbulence?

How rough is it flying over the Atlantic and through the Jet Stream etc?

My only reassurance is that I know Virgin provide some of the best services in other aspects of public transport, and as a regular train user, they're my preferred train company. So if their aircraft are anything like their locomotives I should hopefully be a happy flier. Although at this moment in time I think I'd rather swim to Orlando than Fly! ?|

You won't be having any issues with Virgin on your flights at all, Virgin Atlantic was the first airline I ever flew with and I did crazily an 8 hour flight from LGW to MCO on my first ever flight.

I flew on the A333 this year and it was a few weeks before the emergency landing at LGW of VSXY. Although this was an emergency landing and it was a full evacuation the end report was that it was a faulty sensor so no fire on board.

You are in complete safe hands with Virgin as they will always err on the side of caution and they have they youngest fleet in the skies and they maintain them extremely well probably the best.

I thought that the A333 was quieter, smoother, and more comfortable than the B747 but it depends what your after, I like both aircraft but if I had a choice would go for a A333 for smooth and comfortable even through turbulence which over my 5 trips to MCO I have only encountered turbulence once on the return last time and at all other times they fly above or below based on reports they are provided with from other planes traveling through the area.

In all I believe you will be more than impressed with Virgin and will be wondering what you were worried about after the first flight.

Hi bobsy852,

I wanted to share my experience with you. Before May of this year, I had not flown longhaul for over 15 years. I had turned down various holidays, sent my wife to New York on her own and been generally afraid of flying long distances. On one occasion I got to the boarding gate and refused to get on the plane!

Many of your concerns (does the plane have 4 engines or 2, turbulence, being "stuck" on board for 10 hours etc) exactly match the thoughts and feelings I had about longhaul flights. Another interesting similarity is that I too had flown to Europe on short flights throughout this time.

I found 2 books which were amazingly helpful, and it is not overstating it to say they have cured my fear of longhaul flying.

The first is Virgin Atlantic's Flying without Fear: 101 Fear of Flying Questions

The second is The EasyWay to Enjoy Flying

In May I flew to New York (7 hrs), then back from Chicago (8hrs). In September I flew to Dallas and back (10 hrs). For the first time ever I can get excited about holidays and travel rather than being anxious. I cannot recommend these books highly enough, it's a cliche but they have literally changed my life!

The fact that you have already booked your flight puts you ahead of me (I did not book until after reading the books and even then didn't tell anyone I knew), so well done, you should be proud of yourself. Flying is safe. I hope you have an amazing time.

Thanks again everyone! I will certinalyl try obtain one of those books before my flight! y)

Just as I feel I'm getting used to the idea I read this though:
http://avherald.com/h?article=45881893&opt=0

And I'm filled with dread again. Ok the plane landed fine and there wasn't too much wrong with it, but it's a similar plane to what I'll be on. And if this happened with me on the plane I know I'd be freaking out! :0 :$

The book that nj49 has recommended is the one that goes along with the Virgin Flying Without Fear course. Honestly I promise you, if you do the course and get the book you will have all the tools you need to 'fly without fear'.

You don't need to enjoy it or necessarily look forward to it but you should be able to travel without fear and anxiety.

I know this is a cliche but honestly flying is the safest way to travel. Companies like Virgin make safety their absolute top priority. Each part on a 747 has up to six back ups. The plane can take off and land safely without all the engines functioning properly if it had to. The plane is made to fly, it wants to fly, when you learn about the aerodynamics and physics of flight it all makes sense. The pilots are trained and trained and trained again, and they all have families and lives to get back to so no one is going to take unnecessary risks.

I would stop over reading the subject unless you are going to read the right things. I used to watch episode upon episode of air crash investigation as if trying to convince myself that I was right, all that effort I put in was just increasing my irrational fear.

Have a look at the Virgin Flying Without Fear website, they have a great forum.

I'm not sure if it still features, but there certainly was a relaxation programme on the IFE - might help a bit?

I do understand something of your fear though - I'm not the happiest of flyers myself, but it is true that the more you do it, the less difficult it gets. My stomach used to be literally tied in knots before a flight, I felt sick - and for some inexplicable reason, I always had to tightly grip the arm rests during take-off!

As for turbulence - I had a 'light bulb' moment some years ago. I wasn't on a flight at the time, but doing a parasail. There I was, attached to a rope of some kind, suspended in the air - and I was being gently buffeted by breezes. At that moment, I got it, the way air currents cause the turbulence and for reasons I can't explain, it really helped.

I wish you well. Let us know how you get on! :X

Just as I feel I'm getting used to the idea I read this though:
http://avherald.com/h?article=45881893&opt=0

And I'm filled with dread again. Ok the plane landed fine and there wasn't too much wrong with it, but it's a similar plane to what I'll be on. And if this happened with me on the plane I know I'd be freaking out! :0 :$

Ah. Yes. When I saw that had been posted in another thread I did wonder how you'd feel. I think I'd be reassured by something that the airline industry must hate, i.e. if it was thought to be anything other than a one off with either part or the aircraft type they'd be grounded before you can say amenity kit.

As for turbulence - I had a 'light bulb' moment some years ago. I wasn't on a flight at the time, but doing a parasail. There I was, attached to a rope of some kind, suspended in the air - and I was being gently buffeted by breezes. At that moment, I got it, the way air currents cause the turbulence and for reasons I can't explain, it really helped.:X

As yes, turbulence, exactly the same as waves on the sea. Just like being on a boat, it's not always smooth. Planes are built to withstand more turbulence than there could ever be (unlike some media would have you believe!)

Hi bobsy,

You really do have nothing to worry about. I, like you used to be a bit nervous, but I now have to fly with work about every two weeks. Practice really does make perfect. I guess sometimes knowing exactly what to expect can have its disadvantages too as its easier to spot anything that is even the slightest bit away from the norm.

I think it might be worth pointing out that often just after take off the engines are at full throttle and then once airborne, they are rolled back to a reduced power for the main duration of the flight. So, don't be alarmed if you feel a sensation that the engines are stopping and the plane is losing altitude a bit. This is perfectly normal. Some pilots are really good and do this so smoothly you will not notice. Others are a bit more heavy handed.

Don't be alarmed also that over Heathrow airspace the aircraft will often level off at a lower height (10k ft I think). The boffins will correct me no doubt. This is due to a pretty congested airspace there, once clear you might feel the aircraft start to suddenly climb again. All of these things are perfectly normal.

When descending to land you might feel the aircraft start to vibrate, this again is perfectly normal. It's just the spoilers being deployed to reduce the aircraft speed. Imagine you putting your hand out of the car window at 500mph, it's the same idea. A lot of the landing noises are linked to things going on with the wings. I recommend getting a seat just behind the wing at the window. That way any noises you may be concerned with, you might then see actually what is relating to that.

Nothing to worry about, the further forward you are on the aircraft the less you feel all effects. So Upper Class it is?

Enjoy. Do let us know how you got on.