My first airplane trip?

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Skylark

I think the key thing to staying calm and making it through a flight if you're afraid of flying is to find positive ways of distracting yourself so that you keep your mind off the "what ifs."

Bring some fun magazines and a book with you. If you have an iPod then make a few playlists just for your flights. I usually have one fun, upbeat playlist of songs that make me smile that I listen to while at the airport and boarding, another of chill music to listen to while reading and a third of really mellow music to help lull me to sleep. I have a pair of noise-canceling headphones (they were about $40 at Target) and find them to be really helpful. I also like to download funny shows or movies from Itunes onto my iPod.
They do show movies on most longer flights, but it's good to have some of your own if possible as a backup.

If you don't have an iPod bring cds, crossword puzzles, or whatever YOU like that will keep you entertained.

I also pack my carryon backpack with the following comforts:

A super soft travel pillow and small blanket. Brookstones has lovely soft ones, and they come in bags that I like to later use to hold my toiletries while traveling.

A pair of thick, comfortable socks (it's good to take your shoes off while flying to help your circulation, and your feet will get cold without the thick socks, plus they're a comfort.

Snacks: just make sure it doesn't have an obnoxious smell that will annoy others, like onion & sour cream chips, for example.

Sandwich if I'm taking a domestic flight that might not serve a meal. There is nothing to fuel your anxiety like hunger!

Eye mask: you might feel silly wearing one, but when you have it on and are listening to your music you can kind of be in your own little world and tune everything out and chill.

Advil PM: It totally helps me sleep, doesn't require a prescription and is non habit forming.

Super comfy hoodie, long tee or sweatshirt that I've sprayed with a little perfume in advance.

Also bring a change of undergarments in case your bags are delayed. This is the most common problem I've had, but is still pretty rare.

Another idea is to take St. John's Wort, a calming herb you can find at health stores.

Pick your seat in advance online as soon as possible. You'll feel more in control if you get to pick where you want to sit. Personally, I like window seats because I think they're more spacious and I like to lean against the wall to sleep, but pick whatever you like. Just don't pick a seat near the lavatories because you'll constantly have people lined up near you and it will be harder to sleep.

You're going to be fine. I was 10 the year of 9/11 and had to fly to Germany from LA just two weeks later. I was anxious, but I got through it, and so will you. I've taken probably about 100 flights since then, including a looooong flight to Sydney, Australia ON MY OWN, and got through each one of them with the above tricks.

aflumpire

My first flight after 9/11 was a packed 747 on a 8 hour flight and I knew that it the feul tanks would be full.....that gets freaky.

basicly...its all in trust in the security. they are a pain in the bum but if they arnt there, air travel would not exsist!

a crash or hi-jack crosses everyones mind at some point or another before or on their fligh (if anyone says they dont then they are lieing)

you will get there safe, dont worry!

justme

The last plane flight I was on, the girl next to me was freaking out before we took off. Everyone in the plane was trying to calm her down . Once in the air she was smiling and thanking everyone for being so understanding of her fears. By the time we landed she had actually enjoyed the flight and was looking forward to flying again soon.
Many people are afraid their first time, so those around you will probably help to comfort you.
Good luck! I am sure you will enjoy your flight.

ab63n22

Know it is normal to have some anxiety when flying, I have it after years of regular flights, but can manage well.

Just know it might not be as bad as you might think. Once you are off the ground it is like sitting on a bus, apart from maybe some turbulance at times, but even that is normal.

So do not worry, but enjoy your flight, and remember that it is safer to fly than to drive a car.

jamegaspy

Sleep.

Sam

okay air plane trips can be very scary, but the easiest way to calm you down is to breathe. the hardest part is taking off and landing. the odds that anything bad is going to happen are slim, the worst thing that may happen would probably be a few shudder movements that may make you a little nervous, but theres nothing to be afraid of. all you do is breathe, maybe even look out the window, you'll be just fine. and if breathing isnt working for you personally, close your eyes and just think about it as if your in a car on the ground, because that basically what its is except your in the air. All the luck to you, and remember RELAX AND BREATHE!!

poohluvs8_9_20_29

I went on a airplane to dulles International on Thanksgiving in 2001. Was not scared...had a beautiful flight! Just bring gum, mp3 player, and you will be fine. There has not been a major airline crash in 2007 in the u.s., so you will be ok.

Press ALT and F4

Heck no! I havent been on a plane yet either (not because of 9/11 but because im afraid of it crashing in general..) and im 20...LOL but i hope to get over that fear before the end o fthe year...

I just say go for it! Youll be on the plane so comfy and it will seem surreal to you probably, and youll be like 'why the heck was i worried'

Johnny U

take two xanax , fall asleep. wake up in your destination city.

Lunacy

To be honest, there are no quick and easy ways to calm down. All the things that people tell you will not do you any good if you nervously block them in your head.
First of all, you really have nothing to be afraid of. The media plays a big part in instilling fear into people. Although you have seen hundreds of images featuring a plane crash, the fact remains that it was ONE plane that crashed.
I am fourteen years old, and I have flown completely on my own (Without an escort). The only part that made me nervous was navigating through the airport, although it is much easier as you get older. The flight itself was relaxing, compared to the exicted hustling and bustling of the airport.
I would buy some snacks and bring them with you on the plane, they can be used as 'comfort food'. I also bring gum to chew upon liftoff and arrival. The constant moving of the jaw helps prevent ears from closing due to the change in pressure.
Bring magazines, books, Ipod etc to entertain yourself. These also help calm you down.
Do not stress too much about it; after all it is only a plane ride (That some people experience on a weekly or even daily basis).
I hope you have an excellent trip, and Happy flying.

Cathy

Ask your doctor if they can prescribe you some anti anxiety pills that you can pop in once your sitting down in the plane.

Lorazapam is good. No water needed.

tog

Unless you sit near the window, you wouldn't even know you were up in the air.

It's really nice though to get a window seat and look at all the things below getting smaller, and then being enveloped in "fluffy" white clouds.

You'll love it, just remember to keep the "barf bag" handy (just in case).

{[Mz.Queen]}

FIRSTLY THINK POSITIVELY AND THINK OF IT AS NOTHIN IS GOIN TO GO WRONG PLUS NOW IN DAYZ ITS HARD TO HIJACK A PLANE BECAUSE SECURITY GOT SO TIGHT ITS NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE

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