Our flight to Amsterdam leaves in two months and I'm already starting to become anxious. I hate to admit it, but I do have rather strong claustrophic tendencies as well as a general fear of flying. I really don't want to take drugs, so I'm hoping some of you who share my phobias may have some tips, as well as your opinion for selecting seats that might alleviate some of my stress.

FYI, we'll be flying KLM and I understand the aircraft is a Boeing 767.

Many thanks.

I'm thinking 'aisle, bulkhead' myself...

Hi bowen,
I can relate to this. I have no fear of flying but I can get claustrophobic on planes. I find that the bigger the plane, the better off I am, and I always prefer the aisle seat so I can get up and walk if I have to.

The best thing though is to be distracted. I always take a book or two, magazines, crosswords, etc. The book has to be something that will really keep my mind off my surroundings. Also, as I rarely sleep on planes, I'll watch any movie they're showing. I think distraction is your best bet.

We've asked for bulkhead seats but they generally go to people with kids. If I have a choice, I like to sit as close to the front as possible, only because it means I'll be getting off the plane sooner.

Good luck!

It depends whether it's the enclosed space of the aeroplane or the number of other people which bothers you. If it's the enclosed space per se, the window seat is the least claustrophobic as you can look out and see all the space you need. But if it's the people, the aisle would be best so that you have a little more personal space.

If you arrive at the airport early enough, you can potentially get a seat in an exit row. My understanding is that they only assign those seats upon check-in, so it's a first-come, first-serve deal. Certainly, it's always worth asking about. I'm a bit claustrophic too. I prefer to sit in the aisle, because I like to be free to go to the restroom whenever I want w/o disturbing anyone. I also like to sit near the front of the plane. I find that taking something to make me sleepy, e.g., Tylenol PM, helps. Lots of friends, however, swear by Xanex for mild flying-induced anxiety. I also use an eye mask so that I can tune out for a while. On my way back from Paris this Sept. I was fortunate enough to sit in First Class (for the first and probably last time). They had noise reduction earphones that were really great. They didn't eliminate all the noise from the airplane, but it did make it more bearable. Maybe those would help you too.

Good luck.

Kate

Hi Bowen,
I think you have received great advice above, get an aisle seat, not the last row of the plane because most have limited or no recline ability and distract yourself. (with two months to go, you can probably already pre-select your seat). Go to www.seatguru.com for helpful tips on your plane, they will specifically tell you the seats to stay away from.

~Get an Ipod, or even the cheap headphones they give away on flights for some inflight music or as suggested above, watch the movie.

~Bring a good book that you have been looking forward to, such as an author you love, or the next publication in a series of books you have read.

~Several magazines, magazines that you hadve never read before, special interest mags, go to Barnes and Noble.

~Cut and paste information from the internet (such as trip reports from Fodors) on your destination into Word, print them out and save some of them to read on your plane trip.

Anything to keep your mind off your surroundings.

Also, prepare yourself for what you may experience and what you will do when that happens... Example: When seat back of the person in front of you moves towards you as they recline, I'll get up and take a walk, or use that time for a bathroom break, or pick up my favorite threads that cut and pasted and now want to read, etc...

Escape, relax, enjoy! Tiff

My preferred seat for a bit more elbow room is on the aisle of an emergency exit row. The exit rows are set up with more legroom; <i>however,</i> do be aware these rows also may lack the ability to recline. That's never been a problem for me, as I'm usually not able to sleep on flights &amp; don't care about the 2 inches of reclining.

If you get to the airport early, and it's available, then you can request a seat in one of those rows. Usually they do not assign these seats ahead of time, unless you're flying on a ticket using your frequent flyer miles .... when booking a ticket using miles, I've been able to request the emergency exit row prior to checking in at airport.

I get that boxed in a metal tube flying through space feeling in a plane too, so I sit on the aisle and pretend I am sitting in a waiting room which will magically be transported to a faraway place. I try my best not to think of where I really am, that is why I don't like the window seat.

An aisle seat as far forward in the cabin as available. And make sure it is arranged well ahead of time. The stress of having to wait until your flight day when you arrive the airport to get an assignment is particularly alarming.

p.s. i also take a prescription anti-anxiety drug from my doctor.

Why don't you want to take the drugs? It's not like you have to take them every day for the rest of your life.

Yes, sometimes we tend to overdo the drugs, but for a couple of flights it shouldn't be any big deal--unless you have some particular physical or mental problem.

I'm so sorry you have this problem. I wish I could relate to it better, but here's what I think I would do, and obviously it is much like other suggestions because the options are limited (other than not going):
-Get a seat assignment as early as possible.
-Try to get a seat with nobody in front; i.e. a bulkhead seat.
-Go for the aisle seat, not the window.
-Ahead of the flight, mentally place yourself in your selected seat, go through all the motions that you will make during the flight, and mentally rehearse everything you will do. I am told by a psychologist that if you have a plan ahead of time, no matter how simple, it takes some of the stress out of the experience. So picture yourself getting seated, getting a drink, putting away your luggage, taking out a book to read, and continue imagining yourself all the way through the flight.

Having flown jet fighter aircraft for years, I would have been in trouble in that cramped cockpit if I had suffered from your malady. I am sure you will be fine, and you should convince yourself of that fact also. Good luck.

Rufus,
I hesitate to take drugs too. I'm not worried about the drugs themselves but there's a level of anxiety you experience about them if you're claustrophobic -- there's the feeling that you won't be in control if something happens. It's hard to explain and seems counter-intuitive but there you go.

You have had some great info here. I go along with the aisle seat..at least you are free to get up I don't go along woth the bulkhead and this may just be personal. i find that watching other people helps...bulkheads are boring! Take plenty of different things to do ..I sometimes even catch up on letters to friends long overdue.

Don’t be embarrassed: I am a frequent flyer (&gt; 100,000 miles a year, every year for 8 years) and I am also a panicky flyer and suffer from claustrophobia sometimes. Luckily, I have been upgraded to BC on all but one of my transatlantic flights in the past few years, but fly economy within Europe.

As others have recommended, try get the first bulkhead row in economy, aisle seat. Unfortunately, most airlines refuse to give these seats out on booking, reserving them for airport check-in on the day, generally giving them to disabled passengers or those with babies. An alternate is the exit seats over the wings, which have a little more leg room, but nothing spectacular. Find out when KLM opens their check-in desk and be the first in the line: Some airlines allow you to check in any time that day, so you might be able to do it first thing in the morning for an evening flight.

I don’t like taking drugs either. However, I DID take a Valium once on a transatlantic flight and it certainly took the edge of my anxiety and I remember nothing about the flight or the following 12 hours. I don’t think I’d repeat the experience!

Invest in a good set of noise-reducing headphones (definitely helps) and an iPod or cheaper MPG player. I listen to books and this takes my mind off the journey.

Bowen, I feel your pain. My number one worry on our trip this past summer was claustorphobia. My concern was the enclosed space for such a long period of time. I don't know how much you can plan this, but we missed our connecting flight in Dallas and a very nice agent put us on the first row in coach. I don't think it was an exit row but it had lots of leg room. We had a wall seperating us from business class which sounds like it would give you a feeling of confinement but as I said, there was lots of leg room. By the way, we flew American.Everyone has given good advice, and I didn't really want to take drugs but if you want to cover your bases you might want to fill a prescription for anxiety to have just in case. Try to pack things that relax you, a favorite CD, pictures of a past trip, a journal, or a book that you can really get into regardless of distractions. If I did it, I know you can too.

After reading my post, it sounds like I am saying to miss a flight so you can get a better seat. What I meant was, I don't know how lucky you might get in booking a seat in first row of coach. When given the option, I definately prefer the window. It eases my fear of closed spaces.

I'm certainly not a pill-popper, and I don't even drink, but I've found that one-half or one whole Xanax takes the edge of my plane-induced claustrophobia and general antsy discomfort. It does not knock me out or make me any more incompetent than usual ( ). On the contrary, it allows me to survive the 10-to-12-hour flight to Europe without screaming or uncontrollably bouncing off the walls. I realize that it isn't a &quot;natural&quot; solution, but spending that long wedged into a loudly humming tin can isn't a &quot;natural&quot; condition, either!

I don't think there's anything noble or efficient about not taking a drug if it can hel, especially on a long flight that you are already anxious about.
Discuss it with your doctor, get a prescription. Try the drug one or two nights at home, just to see how you react.
Even if at first you feel strange, see how you feel a few hours later when it wears off, a little 'strangeness' might be a good offset for anxiety and stress.
Trying it beforehand will also help you judge the timing of taking it when you travel, either when you arrive at the airport, or perhaps just before boarding.

Dear Travelnut, hdm, papagena, Indygirl2,Tiff, Tess D, SeaUrchin, suze, RufusT, Wayne, mincepie, OReilly, ilovetulips, KT ... Thank you for your most helpful advice and tips!

Are any of you familiar with the Boeing 767 aircraft? I called KLM and asked for the closest seats to the front and the agent gave us seats 23 A-B-C departing and seats 22 E-F-G when we return. She said all the seats closer to the front were taken, except the bulkhead seats, for the reasons everyone here has mentioned. She was very nice and understanding and told me I could call anytime and check to see if closer seats had opened up. I will, but in the meantime I do feel better being able to visualize where we'll be sitting.

I'm a former flight attendant, however, when i travel for pleasure, if my mind wanders too much I get anxiety. Never had any problems with this whole i was working, only when i travel for fun! go figure. I swear by xanax, and sitting in the front row (bulkhead) on the aisle).

I'm freaking out a little over flying Air Canada to London next month. I'm used to having a personal tv when i fly to europe, and judging from AC's website they don't offer those! (only screens in the cabin airring the movie). I'm so used to that tv as a distraction that I'm a little nervous, but, well..god bless whoever invented xanax!!