You've found the perfect seasonal job abroad. The contract's signed, your bags are mentally packed, and you're buzzing with excitement about working abroad in 2026. There's just one tiny problem: you're absolutely terrified of flying. βοΈπ°
Look, you're not alone. Flight anxiety affects way more people than you'd think. But here's the thing β you can't let fear of a few hours in the air stop you from an adventure that could change your life. So let's talk about how to actually overcome flight anxiety and get you to that dream destination.
Why flight anxiety is more common than you think
Before we dive into solutions, let's get real for a second. Fear of flying isn't irrational, and you shouldn't feel embarrassed about it. Your brain is literally doing its job β keeping you safe by flagging potential dangers. The problem? It's massively overestimating the risk.
Statistics say flying is the safest form of transport, but your anxious brain isn't interested in statistics when you're 30,000 feet up with nothing but clouds underneath. What triggers flight anxiety varies β maybe it's the lack of control, the enclosed space, turbulence, or just the weird sensation of being suspended in the sky.
The good news? Your brain can be retrained. Flight anxiety is manageable, and thousands of people conquer it every single day to reach incredible opportunities abroad.
Preparation starts weeks before takeoff
Overcoming flight anxiety isn't something you tackle ten minutes before boarding. The real work happens in the weeks leading up to your trip.
Get familiar with the process
Fear of the unknown makes anxiety worse. If you haven't flown before (or haven't flown much), spend time learning exactly what happens at each stage. Watch YouTube videos of airport check-in procedures, security screenings, and what boarding looks like. Understanding the routine removes mystery and gives your brain something concrete to work with.
Research your specific flight route too. Knowing whether you'll fly over land or sea, understanding typical flight times, and learning about your destination airport all help build familiarity.
Learn what turbulence actually is
Turbulence terrifies a lot of nervous flyers, but it's just air movement. Think of it like driving over a bumpy road β uncomfortable but not dangerous. Planes are built to handle way more stress than normal turbulence creates. Pilots often compare it to sailing a boat over waves.
The more you understand the mechanics of flight, the less scary those bumps become. There are brilliant apps and websites that explain aviation in simple terms specifically for anxious flyers.
Practice relaxation techniques now
Don't wait until you're panicking at 30,000 feet to try breathing exercises for the first time. Start practicing now:
Box breathing: Breathe in for four counts, hold for four, out for four, hold for four. Repeat. This activates your parasympathetic nervous system (your body's calm-down mechanism).
Progressive muscle relaxation: Tense and release different muscle groups. Start with your toes and work up to your shoulders. This gives your anxious energy somewhere to go.
Make these techniques automatic before your flight. That way, when anxiety kicks in, your body already knows what to do.
The day of your flight: practical strategies
Flight day has arrived. Your stomach's doing backflips and you're questioning every life decision that led to this moment. Time to put your preparation into action.
Arrive early but not too early
Get to the airport with plenty of time β rushing increases anxiety. But don't arrive so early that you're sitting around for three hours with nothing but your anxious thoughts. Two hours for European flights usually hits the sweet spot.
Tell the cabin crew
Seriously, just tell them you're a nervous flyer. Cabin crew deal with this constantly and they're trained to help. They might check in on you during the flight, explain what different sounds mean, or just offer reassurance. You'd be amazed how much it helps knowing someone's looking out for you.
Don't feel embarrassed. They'd rather know upfront than deal with a full-blown panic attack mid-flight.
Choose your seat strategically
If you can pick your seat, go for one over the wing β there's less movement there. Window seats let you see out (which helps some people) while aisle seats offer easier escape to the bathroom if you need to move around. There's no wrong choice, just what works for your specific anxiety.
In-flight tactics that actually work
You're on the plane. Seatbelt's fastened. Engines are starting. This is where everything you've prepared comes together.
Distraction is your friend
Download multiple podcasts, audiobooks, or playlists before your flight. Bring a gripping book or binge-worthy series on your tablet. The goal is to keep your brain occupied so it doesn't spiral into anxiety.
Avoid anything too relaxing that lets your mind wander β you want engaging content that demands attention. True crime podcasts, comedy specials, or that series everyone's been recommending all work brilliantly.
Use physical anchoring techniques
When anxiety spikes, ground yourself physically: - Press your feet firmly into the floor - Grip the armrests (that's what they're there for) - Hold something cold like a water bottle - Count backwards from 100 in threes - Name five things you can see, four you can hear, three you can touch, etc.
These techniques pull your attention away from anxious thoughts and back into your body and surroundings.
Remember: feelings aren't facts
Your anxiety will tell you lies. It'll say the plane's going down when you hit turbulence. It'll insist something's wrong when you hear normal mechanical sounds. Remind yourself: "This is anxiety talking, not reality."
Anxiety is uncomfortable but it can't actually hurt you. The physical sensations β racing heart, sweaty palms, tight chest β they're your body's fight-or-flight response firing when there's no actual danger. Annoying? Absolutely. Dangerous? Not even slightly.
Reframe the flight as part of your adventure
Here's the mindset shift that helps loads of people: conquering your flight anxiety is actually the first achievement of your seasonal work adventure. Think about it β you're already doing something that scares you to chase an incredible opportunity abroad.
That seasonal job you're flying to? It probably intimidated you a bit when you applied. Moving to a new country, working in a different language, meeting completely new people β none of that's easy. But you're doing it anyway because the reward outweighs the fear.
The flight's no different. A few hours of discomfort in exchange for months of life-changing experiences at a beach resort in Greece, a fitness instructor role in Croatia, or whatever amazing opportunity you've secured. Worth it? Definitely.
Every flight gets easier
Your first flight might be tough. But the second one? Already easier because you've proven to yourself you can do it. By your return flight home, you'll probably wonder what you were so worried about.
Each flight rewires your brain a little bit, showing it that the feared outcome never materializes. That's how you actually overcome flight anxiety long-term β through repeated, safe experiences that prove the fear wrong.
You've got this πͺ
Flight anxiety is real, uncomfortable, and completely manageable. Thousands of people with flight anxiety travel internationally for work every single day. You can be one of them.
The seasonal job waiting for you on the other side of that flight? It could be the experience that shapes your entire twenties. New skills, lifelong friends, incredible memories, and personal growth you can't get from staying in your comfort zone.
So book that flight. Practice your breathing exercises. Download some killer podcasts. And remember β the plane's getting you there whether you're anxious or not, so you might as well give yourself credit for doing something brave.
Ready to find your next seasonal adventure? Browse hundreds of seasonal positions across Europe and start planning the trip that'll make that flight completely worth it. Your future self will thank you for getting on that plane. βοΈπ