From the cabin temperature to disruptive passengers sitting nearby, various factors can cause anxiety among nervous fliers, according to a recent survey.
Larger seating, meditation applications, and calming music are alternative features that can assist in easing travelers' anxieties.
Selecting the appropriate airline can significantly impact your experience. By examining safety records and onboard amenities, a luggage storage company Bounce has listed the top airlines suitable for passengers who experience anxiety during flights.
Three European airlines made the top 10.
What causes discomfort for passengers during flights?
Bounce surveyed over 2,000 travellers to determine which aspects of flying impact people most on their flights.
Over half of travellers say screaming children and turbulence make their flying experience uncomfortable. This is over double the number of people who find busy airplane toilets unsettling.
Randomly allocated seating puts almost three in 10 people on edge. Women are more likely to feel uncomfortable about it, at over 31 per cent, compared to less than a quarter of men.
While serving too much alcohol Only approximately one in five individuals find this issue troubling. Concerns over heavy alcohol serving increase more than twofold as people get older. About one in every six people within the 18-24 age range finds it unsettling, whereas nearly a third of those who are 65 years old and above feel the same way.
The top airlines globally for anxious fliers
Based on the survey findings, Bounce identified the aspects under airline control that contribute to enhancing passenger comfort.
The company compared major airlines across several categories, including a Skytrax review score to check how their cabin crew is doing, seat statistics, and the support available to passengers.
Singapore Airlines claims the number one position due to having flawless reviews. safety One notable aspect is its economy class seating with a width of 47 cm — the broadest among the top 10 options — providing greater space for comfort during lengthy journeys.
Although Singapore Airlines does not have a specific nervous flier support program, it still offers various amenities. in-flight Meditation Playlists: We offer specially selected Spotify compilations featuring natural soundscapes along with calming instrumentals known for their peaceful beats.
In the second position, Korean Air offers one of the most spacious economy class seats with a pitch of 82.5 cm. Additionally, it shares top marks with Singapore Airlines, achieving a flawless 7/7 safety score and receiving a commendable 5/5 rating for overall airline reviews.
Rounding out the top three is Cathay Pacific, headquartered at Hong Kong International Airport (HKG).
Similar to the leading two airlines, this one also lacks a specific program for anxious fliers. However, they provide calming playlists on board to assist with easing tension.
Nevertheless, this airline stands out as the sole company among the top three to have an official collaboration with the mental health application called Headspace. This partnership enables them to offer meditation assistance for travelers who experience anxiety. passengers while in the sky.
The top European carriers suitable for anxious fliers
Based at London Luton Airport, easyJet secured the sixth spot in the rankings. The airline’s seat width is only slightly narrower than that of the top-ranked carrier, Singapore Airlines, which has a width of 45 cm.
EasyJet excels in its support programme for nervous travellers. Its Fearless Flyer course is available online and is led by a phobia expert and a senior easyJet pilot.
British Airways comes in ninth. Although it only has a 3/5 review score, it has a perfect safety rating.
The airline also offers a support programme. Its Flying with Confidence courses, held in different venues around the world, are run by British Airways pilots and cabin crew supported by a clinical psychologist.
SWISS rounds off the rankings in 10th place. It has generous economy seat measurements and a 4/5 review score. While it doesn’t have a dedicated programme to support nervous flyers, it provides access to the meditation and sleep app Headspace.
In what ways can airlines enhance passengers' comfort levels?
Alongside these features, airlines can take steps to make passengers feel more comfortable in the air, the report found.
According to the survey, most passengers do not concern themselves with physical facilities such as noise-canceling headphones or pillows and blankets.
Instead, friendly cabin crew rank highest among passenger comfort preferences with seat selection following closely behind.
Younger travelers particularly appreciate the availability of Wi-Fi and in-seat power options.
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