Nervous about flying? British Airways launches video for you
Despite the statistics that show that flying is one of the safest ways to travel, many people have fears associated with airplanes. Starting this fall, UK carrier British Airways is offering a video to help its passengers overcome feelings of anxiety when flying.
Starting on September 1, the UK-based airline will be offering a video for nervous flyers as part of its in-flight entertainment system. The new film explains the technical aspects of flying, offers relaxation techniques and provides advice from psychologists.
A preview clip of the video is made available by the airline at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qEPeDhkrSzY.
British Airways also offers a full-day Flying with Confidence course to help passengers conquer their fear of flying, run by the airline's pilots and clinical psychologists.
According to the report Fear of Flying: Impact on the U.S. Air Travel Industry (a seminal report on the subject published in the 1980s), nearly one out of three Americans is either anxious or afraid to fly. The survey shows that 73 percent of passengers are fearful of mechanical problems while 62 percent are afraid of flying during bad weather.
Another study, carried out by the University of Leiden, KLM and Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, shows that 20 to 40 percent of people experience some level of anxiety.
As a response, the VALK foundation, dedicated to treating flying anxiety, has developed an app to help passengers that works with iPhone, iPad and Android. The app, released in English in June, informs passengers about aerodynamics, flight safety and turbulence and gives practical audio exercises to help lower stress levels.
