How to prepare yourself for a holiday when you have a fear of flying from courses you can go on to tips

IF you have a fear of flying, even the idea of going somewhere faraway can be stressful. From special courses to easy to follow tips, we reveal some of the ways that you can overcome your fears. Q: I’m having trouble getting my husband to go on holiday as he’s so scared of flying. He […]

IF you have a fear of flying, even the idea of going somewhere faraway can be stressful.

From special courses to easy to follow tips, we reveal some of the ways that you can overcome your fears.

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Q: I’m having trouble getting my husband to go on holiday as he’s so scared of flying. He turns 50 next year and I’d love to take him to Crete in June 2020. Please help.

A: We’re often reminded that statistically, flying is safer than driving. But when you’ve got a phobia, air travel is anything but a breeze.

Sympathetic airlines appreciate this however, with many offering fear-conquering courses.

Among them is British Airways, whose one-day programme run by pilots and crew is supported by a clinical psychologist and includes a short flight at the end. See flyingwithconfidence.com.

Or try easyJet’s Fearless Flyer where across three hours, a senior captain and Channel 4’s Lawrence Leyton teach mind tools and answer every question imaginable, topped with a brief flight. Visit fearlessflyer.easyjet.com.

Your other half could also check out the Virgin version – flyingwithoutfear.co.uk, or SOAR’s fearofflying.com, which is available immediately online.

Mybaggage.com has come up with some down-to-earth tips to take the edge off his terror.

He could chat to flight attendants who’ll be happy to reassure him he’s in safe hands.

It’s also worth cutting out caffeine and avoiding alcohol before and during the journey. Do however, get him to sip away on water – lots of it – to prevent dehydration.

Headphones should help hubby, too, allowing him to switch off with a podcast or calming tunes.

Alternatively, he could break up the flight with an onboard meal or stroll around the cabin.

Encourage him to distract himself as well with a book, puzzle, electronic device or anything to take his mind off the flight itself.

And if he has an early start on the day, he’s more likely to be ready to nod off journeymen and be halfway there before he even realises it.

Best of all, get him to focus on the happy days ahead – in a couple of hours he’ll be chilling by that pool in Crete.

Bon voyage!

We also revealed how you can get your kids off their gadgets this summer.

And we answer whether you should be taking a car seat for your child or booking one while you’re there.

Make sure you’re aware of the travel scams before you book as well.