So many people have a fear of flying, these are their ways of coping with it

The Dutch generally fly en masse for vacations, but not everyone enjoys it. Research shows that one in five people suffers from a fear of flying. Some people stop flying altogether, while others have developed coping mechanisms and rituals.

This is evident from research by EenVandaag among more than 23,000 members of the Opinion Panel.

Fear of flying is primarily related to the fear of the plane crashing or something going wrong during takeoff and landing. But fear of heights, claustrophobia, and the feeling of not being in control also play a role. And some participants don't want to fly for fear of physical complaints like nausea, earache, or thrombosis.

Finally, a bad experience from the past can play a role. What people see on television programs or the news also makes an impression. Flight MH17, in particular, is seared into the memory. The Malaysia Airlines plane was en route to Kuala Lumpur but was shot down by a missile over Ukraine. 298 people were killed, including 196 Dutch citizens.

Participants with a fear of flying—not surprisingly—fly less. More than four in ten (43 percent) say they only fly if absolutely necessary. Nearly a third (30 percent) no longer fly at all. Incidentally, the Dutch still generally prefer flying over cars or trains , despite rising airfare prices.

Some people don't mind never flying, while others miss things they'd actually enjoy doing. Vacations, for example, or visiting family abroad. The latter is a reason for some to fly anyway, and even work or vacation can make participants reluctant to board a plane.

There are also panelists with a fear of flying who have learned to cope, for example, through a special flight course or by taking prescribed tranquilizers. Metro previously wrote about how to calm yourself down if you have a panic attack on a plane . There are also ways to calm down during turbulence.

Thirty percent of respondents with a fear of flying have fixed habits and rituals, such as wearing earplugs and always following the exact same steps, for example, by always choosing a specific seat. Some even touch the plane briefly before boarding.

You'd love to make the most of your vacation and come home as relaxed as possible. What's the best way to do that?

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