The easyJet Fearless Flyer Course will run at Manchester Airport this November, offering anxious travellers coping techniques, technical explanations, and a one-hour experience flight to help them overcome their fear of flying. The course reports a 95 per cent success rate.
Course details and approach
The course, which launched in 2012, uses what its director describes as a "three pronged approach" to tackle the phobia. It covers both the physical concerns, such as turbulence and the integrity of the aircraft, and psychological factors, including fear of speed, fear of being sick and agoraphobia. The common element, according to course director Mark Wein, is the thought of having a panic attack and the anxiety leading up to it.
Participants complete a two-and-a-half hour virtual ground course online at home, which includes coping techniques, misconceptions about flying, technical explanations and a question and answer session with a pilot. Ahead of the flight, there is an optional 'meet the team' zoom session on Wednesday November 18 at 7.30pm.
The experience flight
The experience flight takes off from Manchester Airport at 12pm on Saturday November 21 and lasts one hour. It is exclusive to course participants and their companions, who must be confident flyers themselves, and features a dedicated crew on board. There is a relaxation session on boarding, live running commentary from an additional pilot, and an in-flight graduation ceremony at the end.
The full course costs £239, with an option to bring a companion for £359. A VIP course is also available for £497.
Director's own journey
Mark Wein, course director and co-founder, developed his own fear of flying from the age of 18 and avoided air travel for around 10 years. He described a bumpy flight from Antigua as a turning point, saying: "I found the turbulence quite unnerving and when I got off that flight I swore I would never fly again." After learning how aircraft work, he rebuilt his confidence and, with help from Lawrence Leyton of Channel 4's 'Fear of Flying', took the course to easyJet.
Wein attends every course and said: "I go on every single course, it's my passion. I love seeing the transformation of people on board, I get a total pleasure seeing them come off the aircraft excited." He added: "Our success rate is 95 per cent. Most people get on that flight and at the end they are so happy, and come off wanting to book flights and do things."
Participants range from new mums to business people who need to fly for work. The course recommends children from the age of 12, though younger participants have taken part after discussion with parents. One participant who completed the course in 2015 has since tracked around 555 flights, having not flown for seven years beforehand.
The easyJet Fearless Flyer Course is available at major airports across the country with dates throughout the year.
