A Flight Attendant’s Guide to Overcoming Airport Anxiety

Article Summary: 

• Even the most prepared flyers get anxious at the airport. The pressures of this unique environment drive stress levels higher than usual.
• As a flight attendant, I’ve talked to hundreds of people about what works best to combat airport anxiety.
• The obvious tips are necessary (get plenty of sleep, go to the airport early), but I share more helpful tricks to beat airport anxiety — and they work wonders for me.

On normal days, we may experience occasional upticks in worry and discomfort, and overcome them within the hour. But there’s something about the impending drama of the airport that sets people into a spiral of disorder.

There’s no question why… the what-ifs are enough to make your head spin. What if I miss my flight? What if they take something from me at security? What if my bag gets lost? What if something bad happens?

As a flight attendant, I frequently see passengers on and off the plane having nervous breakdowns about commonplace things. Suddenly, every decision seems impossible. Bickering siblings create a full-on family feud, laid-back couples question each other’s sanity, and the energy of it all settles like a fog. 

Ah, airport anxiety, how you dim the bright light of traveling joy. But you don’t have to feel this way at the airport. 

I’ve developed tons of life-changing strategies for a smooth experience nearly every time I travel, which I’ll share with you in this post. Many of these ideas will make all the difference in maintaining peace of mind. That way, you can focus on your upcoming adventure and not on the hassle of getting there.

9 Simple Tips to Keep Stress Levels Down and Morale High

Arrive at the Airport Early

We’ll start with an obvious one, but this tip is the most important. There’s nothing more stressful than sprinting from security to your gate because you decided to press snooze a few too many times.

Give yourself plenty of time to get to the airport. Consider the time of day, traffic, rush hour, construction, and anything else that might affect the commute there. 

I recommend getting to the security line at least 90 minutes before boarding — not takeoff. Doors close typically 10 minutes before takeoff, so don’t confuse the numbers on your ticket.

This way, you’ll breathe easy no matter the length of the security line. I guarantee your anxiety will go way down when you know you don’t have to plow through other panicking passengers as you race to the plane.

Make a Packing List

A packing checklist is one of the best ways to ensure you have everything you need for your trip. I always make it a few days before I leave so I can add to it in case other things come to mind later. Check out our carry-on packing list and travel essentials article for inspiration.

I craft my airport checklist by starting with what clothes I need from head to toe. Next, I check off my makeup and toiletry items. Then, whatever special occasion items I might need (like a wedding gift). 

Finally, I pack my personal item bag with my laptop, chargers, wallet, headphones, and anything else I might need on the plane.

Schedule a Ride

Have you ever needed to go to the airport super early and ordered an Uber just to see that there are no available drivers in your area? This has happened to me several times, and it never fails to spike that lovely 4 am anxiety. It’s time to say goodbye to pre-arrival stress!

Now, I evade the feeling altogether by booking a ride the night before. Both Uber and Lyft allow you to do this. The price is a bit higher than a last-minute booking. But it’s worth knowing you’ll get to the airport on time instead of risking a 30-minute wait long before the sun rises.

Get Plenty of Sleep

But you can always sleep on the plane, right? Sure, you can deprive yourself of rest as you scramble to get your things together the night before your trip. 

But you’re bound to increase your anxiety if you’re running on fumes at the airport. You want to function properly so you can be confident that you have everything together on the day of departure.

According to sleep studies, insufficient sleep has a huge effect on anxiety levels. My fellow night owls, I know it seems impossible to go to bed before midnight. 

But try to relax with a cup of chamomile tea, take a melatonin if need be, and get your zzz’s the night before your trip. You’ll feel so much better when you do.

Download the App for your Airline

This is a big one if you’re someone who has to check the details, and then check them 10 more times like me. Major airlines have travel apps that provide all the information you need about your upcoming trip. Your terminal, gate, seat number — it’s all there.

The best thing about using your airline’s app is that you’ll be notified immediately if anything changes like a new gate or a delay. You won’t have anxiety about getting something wrong because you’ll have all the information you need in real time right in your hand.

Wear Convenient Clothing

This is a great tip if TSA agents are your biggest fear. I get it, there’s nothing worse than getting yelled at when you’re already stressed at the airport. And they get meaner as the day wears on.

Avoid the wrath of TSA by wearing the simplest security outfit possible. Think slip-on shoes (no laces), no hoodies or metal accessories, and nothing in your pockets. Comfy, minimalist clothes are your best friend to ensure smooth sailing through security.

Try Not to Book During Peak Times

A lot of my anxiety comes from being around massive crowds. That’s why I try not to fly during peak times. Of course, you can’t always predict when the airport will be busy or control when you fly if you have plans with set dates. But you do have some wiggle room with the time of day.

As painful as those early flights may be, you want to take the first flight out to avoid the late morning and afternoon rushes of more conveniently timed flights. And if you can help it, try not to book on a Friday or Sunday. 

Any time outside of holidays, spring break, and summer vacation is also preferable. Think January through March and August through October. Again, there will always be busy days amid the slow season. But you can typically gauge less busy flying times and have more room to breathe in smaller crowds.

Practice Deep Breathing

In case you didn’t know, many large airports have meditation and yoga rooms. Since you’ll arrive early for your flight, take a moment to visit one of these rooms or a quiet corner of an unused boarding area to do some breathing exercises and stretches.

I used to think breathing exercises didn’t work. Now, I rely on a few deep breaths and moments of quiet solitude to aid my mental health through a stressful airport. These simple exercises can greatly decrease your airport anxiety, so give them a try the next time you’re waiting to board.

If you’re interested in more yoga and mindfulness tips, read Claudicet’s article on doing yoga while you travel (she’s a seasoned yoga instructor!).

Avoid Sensational Aviation News

This might seem like a strange tip, but when it comes to nervous flyers, ignorance is bliss. There have been several airline incidents lately that might come off as alarming to some, especially travelers with anxiety.

Keep in mind that air travel truly is the safest, most regulated mode of transportation in the world. When the smallest problems arise, news outlets are quick to make a huge deal out of the issues.

Don’t get me wrong, it’s great to hold airlines and the FAA accountable. But many of the things discussed in the news are less serious than they’re made out to be. 

It’s no surprise that these stories can bolster your airport anxiety. If you want peace of mind on your flight, maybe wait until you’ve landed to open Twitter and your news apps.

🎙️ Listen to the Podcast: Nate & Betty share their thoughts on this article and airport anxiety in Episode 2 of the Travel Lemming Podcast on YouTube (starts at 7:24). You can also listen on Spotify and Apple Podcasts!

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I hope you feel more prepared to combat your airport anxiety before you take off on your next adventure. I’ve met many people who have shared these tips with me during my time as a flight attendant. I can confirm that they really work, especially in conjunction with one another.

Now, if you or anyone you know is the opposite of flight-anxious, read my article about how you can fly a plane with a discovery flight!