My Aviation Gateway

Archive for the ‘Air Travel’ Category

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Does this sound familiar – the roar of the engines, which can throw you  back in your  seat at takeoff, and the knuckles of your hands turn white as you grip your arm to save your very own life? Air travel has become such an integral part of all our lives that perhaps we sometimes forget how frightening it can be for many. The fear of flying, or aerophobia, can make any travel by air for holiday or business, a potential nightmare. In fact, a recent article in USA Today suggests that the fear of flying “cripples – or at least over loads – the race of the millions of Americans.”

So what can you do to combat that fear of flying?

First, take a deep breath. Hard as it is, remember that the odds of being involved in an accident are very low.The Drive to the Airport is more dangerous than the flight. How many accidents do you see on the road? But not many aeroplane accidents. Per million passenger miles, air travel is a much safer form of transport.

Try not to consume too much alcohol before the flight, or once you’re there. Apart from the provision that alcohol can potentially make you capable of not being able to go, flying at an altitude and drinking too much alcohol can really exacerbate feelings of claustrophobia and anxiety.

On board, several airlines are trying to make the whole process of flying much easier for those of nervous temperament. A Virgin Atlantic spokesman said: “We have a dedicated Flying Without Fear audio channel to help someone through their flight. On selected flights, we also have a channel meditainment giving our passengers the possibility of  some form of deep relaxation quality while flying with us. ”

Many have turned regularly to hypnotherapy to try to reverse a debilitating fear of flying often. Chris Thomas, a therapist with Vision Coaching Services, says: “Flying phobias can be caused by any of the derivatives by the conditioning of a frightening event, general anxiety masked from experience, learned gradually over time either first-hand or other, or as a result of a ‘distortion’ in their  thoughts on airtravel. These fears are usually irrational and are often deep in our subconscious. ”

Thomas adds: “Even in airports all the words are misused unintentionally people afraid of flying conditions. Examples of these expressions are” terminal, final destination, final approach, service assurance and final departure lounge call and end. Especially after September 11, the fears the people were brought to the fore with armed policewho are and were highly visible adding to the tension. ”

Finally, if things are very bad, go to and attend one of the courses run by several airlines: British Airways and Virgin, both hold courses for nervous flyers. They are not cheap, however: Virgin charges £ 199 for a one-day course, BA charges £ 235 – but the net result could be well worth it.

A BA spokesman said: “The lack of control, claustrophobia, height and fear of falling are the concerns of many of the passengers making them nervous. The psychologist will give some positive aspects to address and minimize those fears and carry out a relaxation session just before the flight. ”

British Airways says they have a 95% rate of success for the 40,000 passengers who have gone through the fear of flight schedules.

See you there!

Since returning from holiday everyone’s been asking, “What’s with the cheesey grin?”

Well if you have to know, I just lost my Virginity, and to be really honest, I can’t wait to go back for more. I’m not a pushover you understand, but after hearing all the rumors, I had to find out what all the fuss was about for myself. So one minute I was innocently working away at my desk, and the next minute I was on the telephone to my travel agent booking a seat to Hong Kong for a couple of nights of serious shopping, and sightseeing.

I’m not one to tell, but as soon as I arrived at the Virgin Atlantic counter at Sydney Airport they were already waiting for me and inviting me to a special priority check-in for Premium Economy passengers, where a really friendly agent quickly checked me in with a big smile, remarking that I still had plenty of time to drool over the duty-free goodies before take off. Pretty fresh of her I know, but that’s just the start of it.

As I boarded the aeroplane, one of the crew suggested I slip into something a little more comfortable – like my seat – while she poured me a drink. Looking around with excitement I discovered it wasn’t just a line; Premium Economy really did only have eyes for me, and twenty-seven others people.

Not only were the seats wider than regular economy class – think, Beyonce dancing next to Kylie – the chair configuration of two, three, two across the aircraft provided just the right amount of personal space for me. Also, they’ve added extra padding, leg rests, and a generous seat recline. This baby was definitely built for comfort and just for me.

To put me in the mood before take off, I was offered a  wide selection of drinks, and a glass of champagne. I wasn’t going to let my guard down so early, but I’m having real glasses of French champagne, not just plastic picnic cups of Spumante you usually get. What did they think I was, a Business Class passenger?

Sipping noisily on my glass of bubbly, so they could hear me back in economy, I couldn’t help but notice a well-stacked set of amenities bursting out of the seatback pocket in front. I have to say I’m a legroom man myself, however, these colourful kits were more than a handful to say the least. Each one was stuffed with socks, eyeshades, pens ,notepads, tissues, and big enough to dry your dirty laundry in on the way home.

Once airborne, the crew really started to put on the moves. More drinks, unbeleivable meals (by airline standards anyway, although I did tell them it was the best I’d ever had), refreshing hot towels, and tempting snacks like ice cream and chocolate bars.

Shortly after dinner, the crew quietly dimmed the lights and lowered the shutters. However, this was not the time to roll over and go to sleep. The flight was still young, and the fun just beginning. Both Premium Economy and Economy seats are equipped with large seatback video screens. Being sensitive to our individual needs, Virgin offer 50 movies to choose from. I could play, pause, go faster, take it slow, back a little, and, of course, stop if the film was just not doing it for me. Whenever I felt like a break between the action, massive selection of TV shows, computer games, and audio channels awaited my every command.

After some initial fiddling around, I saw that each seat has its own phone and email address access. Naturally, I could have communicated with the outside world, but why bother when the real enjoyment was dialling seat numbers to prank call and heavy breathe other passengers for free until I learnt that my seat number appeared at the receivers end ( Damn). For those who would rather fly by the motto “all work and no play”, Premium Economy also provides an in-seat power supply for your laptop computer.

While gadgets might be a mans best friend, no airline gets far with me unless they can back it up with a great personality. That’s where the experienced and friendly Virgin Atlantic crew really made my first time really  special, even announcing over the PA system that they would be delighted for me to fly with them again! They haven’t phoned me yet, but I’m sure they will.

Now you know how I lost my Virginity and still have the big grin to prove it. But don’t take my word for it, give your travel agent a call and tell them “I want what he’s having”.

Brett and Steve