Tag: Plane

  • Here’s Where To Sit On A Plane If You’re A Nervous Flyer

    Here’s Where To Sit On A Plane If You’re A Nervous Flyer

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    There are plenty of things to stress about in everyday life, and flying is no different. Experts estimate that 25 million American adults have a fear of flying. The reasons behind the fears and the reactions individuals display in response to those fears can vary greatly. Luckily there are actions one can take to manage and even overcome a fear of flying while on board a plane. One such measure is to choose the correct seat when booking a flight. Some seats are better than others depending on the reason behind the fear, and that is what we will discuss here.

    Aisleway on an airplane with passengers in their seats

    Why Are You Nervous?

    In order to choose the best seat, nervous passengers first need to identify what exactly is causing their anxiety. While that is sometimes easier said than done, knowing the root cause of a fear can be helpful.

    Airline passengers can be apprehensive for any number of reasons. Worries range from anxiety about getting sick during the flight to the worst-possible-case doomsday scenario, and everything in between. Some of the more common reasons why people are anxious about flying include:

    nervous flyers tightly grip the armrests of their airplane seat
    • Fear that the plane will crash
    • Nervousness about take-off and landing
    • Germs or sickness being spread onboard
    • Dislike of turbulence
    • Fear of heights
    • Claustrophobia

    The Safest Seat

    Passengers who worry that something catastrophic will go wrong during the flight either mid-air or during take-off or landing should know where the safest seat is. The exact spot will vary by plane size and type, and can also change based on which type of accident we are talking about. But in general, experts agree that the middle seats in the back of the plane are safest.

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    a crowded plane is frightening for many passengers

    Best Seat For Germ-Free Travel

    Anyone who has flown in the past 3 years will know that there are plenty of precautions they can take to reduce the risk of getting sick on a plane. We’ve all masked up, sanitized every inch of our seating area, and distanced ourselves from fellow passengers. Now that many airlines have dropped mask requirements, passengers who are nervous about getting sick might feel more vulnerable. If you want to avoid germs onboard a plane, studies have shown that window seats have the lowest rates of exposure.

    Man wearing a mask on airplane

    The Smoothest Seats

    So many airline passengers tighten their grip when turbulence hits. While some bouts of turbulence can be nerve-racking or even uncomfortable, it is rare that it becomes severe. Flyers who want to ensure a smooth ride should select seats in the rows directly over the wings. Because the wings provide the plane’s stability, the seats closest to them will offer a smoother ride. If those seats are not available, the next best place is towards the front of the plane. It is best to avoid the back if turbulence will cause you distress, as it is the most susceptible to bumpiness.

    Plane Wing View Flying Over Rome With St Peter's Basilica Below, Italy

    Where To Sit If you Have A Fear Of Heights

    Being fearful of heights is a very common phobia. While not all people who are afraid of heights have a problem flying, many do. Unfortunately for those people, there is no getting around the need for the plane to fly high. Passengers who are nervous about being so high in the sky should choose aisle seats or rows in the middle of the plane where views out the window are obscured. Another tactic is to stay focused on a book, screen, or other distractions to avoid thinking about how high up you are.    

    Interior of large passengers airplane with people on seats and stewardess in uniform walking the aisle.

    Best Seats To Avoid Claustrophobia

    If being packed in a plane with lots of other people gives you anxiety you are not alone. So many travelers struggle with this fear, so the best way to cope is to find a seat with plenty of space. The least crowded section of the plane is first or business class. But if upgraded flying isn’t in your budget there are still options. Try sitting in an aisle seat in an exit row towards the front of the plane. These seats typically have more legroom, are easier to get out of, and also reduce the number of other passengers in your view, making the space feel less crowded.

    A passenger sits at an exit row on an airplane and looks towards a bright window

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  • Why I’ll Always Take A Sleeper Train Over A Plane

    Why I’ll Always Take A Sleeper Train Over A Plane

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    I love traveling more than most other things in life, but I’ll never warm up to scrambling to the airport three hours early just to sit around waiting for the plane to show up. I know it’s better to show up early on the off chance that security is crazy slow and I need to allow more time, but something about the precious time wasted that could have been spent doing something more productive or fun rubs me the wrong way.

    That’s why when I planned our last trip to Europe, I wanted to try taking advantage of a sleeper train instead of a short-haul flight.

    It was the right decision.

    Nightjet sleeper Train in station in Vienna

    First Things First, Finances

    For our trip, we wanted to see Zurich and Vienna. When we looked into how we wanted to get from point A to point B, nonstop one-way flights were at least $300 each. In comparison, we were able to book a 4-bunk private sleeper cabin for under $100 each. Not only that, if you factor in the cost of getting to and from each airport and an additional night at a hotel, you can add at least another $200 on top of the $300 each in plane tickets.

    For an estimated cost comparison with easy numbers, let’s say we spent $100 each on tickets for the train. Additionally, let’s say a hotel would have been $200, flights would have been $300 each, and transport to and from each airport would have been $20. In that case, our group of three saved $280 each, or $840 total, by opting for the night train! And all that for a way more relaxing, easy, and fun experience!

    3 Travelers taking a selfie in a sleeper train cabin with 4 bunks

    2 Hours To Train Departure

    Our train, the ÖBB Nightjet, was set to leave the main station in Zurich at 9:40 PM. At around 7:30 PM, we were comfortably tucked into a cozy restaurant enjoying our last meal before heading off to Vienna. Our hotel happily watched our bags for the day, so we’d checked out early and taken a day trip to Stans and Luzern. Besides the small backpack I had with me, it felt like any other evening we’d spent in Zurich, and I had to keep reminding myself we were leaving in a few hours.

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    @tyleroffpath So chill getting ready to take a night train, never flying in Europe unless I have to now! #zurich #nightjet #europe #traveloffpath #travel ♬ Lazy Sunday – Official Sound Studio

    If we’d had a flight in three hours, my stress levels would be through the roof! However, our ticket advised we only needed to show up 15 minutes early, so we were soaking up every second left in Zurich before walking to the station.

    1.5 Hours To Train Departure

    Glühwein galore! While Switzerland didn’t have quite as many spots as Germany to grab delicious mulled wine after the 1st of the year, we made sure to find some to keep us warm while we walked around during our last hour or so in Zurich. Once again, I had to keep telling myself we were leaving soon. The entire lead-up to our train’s departure was so relaxed that it felt like it wasn’t even really happening.

    @tyleroffpath Gluhwein walks in Zurich before taking the night train! #zurich #gluhwein #nightjet #europe #traveloffpath ♬ original sound – 4u

    To The Station 30 Minutes Early

    My inner worrier started to kick in around 45 minutes before departure. So, we decided to grab our bags from the hotel and walk to the station. Since we were really close to our hotel, this only took us about 10 or 15 minutes. By the time we got to our platform, we were still about 30 minutes early. I don’t know about you, but if I was just showing up at the airport 30 minutes before my flight was going to leave, I’d be nauseous. There would pretty much be zero chance of making the flight.

    However, even though our departure time was 30 minutes away, we were there before the train showed up. This was a travel style I could get used to, and the best part hadn’t even started.

    @tyleroffpath Finally boarding the night train to Vienna! So easy, chill, and fun! Will definitely be taking sleeper trains whenever possible! #europe #nightjet #traveloffpath #zurich #travel ♬ Glowing Sea – Muspace

    Boarding

    Taking a night train vs. a plane to another country is night and day when it comes to getting on board. For a flight, we’d have to get to the airport, clear security, go to our gate, wait for our boarding group, and then sit around in the plane for 30 minutes before takeoff. The night train was totally different.

    When the train came into the station, we walked to our train car number, got on the train, walked to our sleeper cabin, and put our bags away. That was it. We didn’t even have to show our ticket to board, as the ticket checker simply waited until we were settled to check our tickets. In less than 10 minutes, we’d boarded, gotten settled, and were ready to go to sleep.

    @tyleroffpath Quick snapshot of getting luggage on to the night train from Zurich to Vienna #zurich #traveloffpath #travel #nightjet #vienna ♬ Lost – Official Sound Studio

    The Ride

    I was too excited to go straight to sleep since this was my first time taking a night train. So, I decided to get a bit of work done. I love working on trains, and this was a super comfy office. The night train included Wi-Fi, had ample plugs for charging, and my bunk had its own reading light. After a bit of work, I walked down to the bathroom to get ready for bed. Some cabins have attached bathrooms with showers, but we opted for a more basic 4-bunk cabin to save some money. Still, the bathrooms were roomy and super functional — much better than an airplane bathroom!

    And now for the most significant difference of all between flying and taking a night train…

    traveler working on a laptop in a sleeper train cabin

    Sleep! So much sleep!

    When I fly overnight, I have such a hard time falling asleep. Not being able to stretch out or toss and turn a bit is just too cramped for me. I never fall asleep for more than 30 minutes or so. On the night train, though, I slept all night. The rocking of the train lulled me right to sleep, and I slept very well. We all woke up to a knock on the door as the attendant let us know our stop was in about an hour and that breakfast was about to be served.

    3 travelers in vienna train station after just taking the night train

    I’ll Add A Night Train To My Itinerary From Now On

    I loved taking the night train, and I’ll definitely add it to every itinerary I can instead of taking a flight. Night trains are better than planes because:

    • You get to enjoy yourself more instead of stressing about rushing to the airport.
    • Free, reliable Wi-Fi during your whole trip.
    • You get an entire bed to yourself and can completely stretch out.
    • There are cabins with an attached shower for a complete “hotel on rails” experience.
    • You wake up in a new destination, completely refreshed and ready to explore.

    I loved the experience, and I will always recommend it over flying!

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