Are you scared of flying? Does the idea of boarding a plane or experiencing turbulence fill you with fear?
EasyJet may have the solution as the airline prepares to welcome the latest intake of its Fearless Flyer programme. The course, available in cities across the UK, aims to help nervous travellers overcome their phobias.
The Fearless Flyer programme promises to help people take control and overcome their fears with phobia experts and experienced pilots to guide the way. The course is available at nine airports across the country and will take place throughout November.
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What does the Fearless Flyer programme include?
The airline recently introduced a virtual element to the course, helping flyers to understand their fears before stepping foot in an airport. Split into three sections, the course begins with a virtual course with top phobia expert Lawrence Layton.
Mr Layton will be joined by a senior easyJet pilot who will explain the sounds and sensations experienced onboard an aircraft. Over the two-and-a-half-hour session, they will teach a unique set of mind techniques to manage nerves.
Next, customers will take part in a one-hour pre-flight Zoom session where they will meet the team, the pilots and the crew and will be guided through the experience with Mr Layton on hand. Customers will experience a virtual walk-through of the airport experience and they'll be shown what they can expect when they arrive.
The final step in the course is for customers to finally get in the air and put their new knowledge to the test. The one-hour flight experience will depart from the course airport and whilst in the air, there'll be a live commentary of the flight from the team on board.
Ann Cobbe, who took the Fearless Flyer course over the summer, admitted that she hadn't flown for 30 years. She said: "I was sceptical when signing up but by the end of the flight I really was a ‘fearless flyer’."
Ms Cobbe added: "I just wish I had done this years ago. I’m so glad I can now fly anywhere I wish to."
In addition to the standard course, there is a VIP option available, which includes some additional extras. It includes a dedicated captain who will guide customers through the flight day, a pre-flight private video call with a pilot and the Fearless Flyer team, a VIP check-in process, security and boarding for the experience flight, guaranteed upfront seats, and lifetime access to additional course materials
Mark Wein, easyJet’s Fearless Flyer Course Director, said: "Around one in six people have a fear of flying, stopping many from travelling abroad on holiday, visiting friends and family or even flying for work, so why wait to join so many who have already overcome their fears through our renowned Fearless Flyer course? We’re excited to help many more people get flying fearlessly on our courses over the coming months – the results are truly life-changing.”
When and where is the course available and how much does it cost?
Winter dates for the course begin in Manchester on the 12th of November. It will end in Glasgow on the 29th of January 2023.
- Manchester: Saturday 12th November 2022
- London Luton: Sunday 13th November 2022
- Edinburgh: Saturday 26th November 2022
- Bristol: Sunday 20th November 2022
- London Gatwick: Sunday 27th November 2022
- Birmingham: Sunday 4th December 2022
- Liverpool: Saturday 10th December 2022
- Belfast: Sunday 22nd January 2023
- Glasgow: Sunday 29th January 2023
The course starts at £219 and rises to £315 if you would like to add a companion. The premium VIP course is available in Manchester, Luton, Bristol or Gatwick and costs £497.
For those who don't wish to head up into the skies just yet, EasyJet also offers an entirely online course with the basic course costing £89 and the premium version, which includes six extra units and lifetime access, costing £147.
For more information and to book, visit the EasyJet course website here.
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