Flight stress peaks when announcements are made

Nearly a third (27%) of adults suffer from some form of fear of flying. Passengers often experience stress during check-in at the airport and when attention is requested on the plane. This is evident from a test with special measuring sensors that Transavia had carried out. The airline now pays more attention to stress and fear of flying on its website to reduce tension before the flight. Research shows that the video and the flyer on the website actually reduce tension.

The May holidays are just around the corner and in a few days more than half a million people will leave by plane to go abroad. Which gate does my flight depart from? Will I get to my destination on time? Can I bring my suitcase? Millions of Dutch people suffer from stress to a greater or lesser extent when they fly. Remarkably, many people experience that stress even before their flight. Travelers can now find tips to reduce flight stress on the Transavia website.

The tips relate to:
• Dealing better with nerves
• Explanation of turbulence
• Noises during flight
• Inspection and maintenance of aircraft
• Relaxation exercises

Sensors measure heart rate
The company Brainineers, commissioned by Transavia, conducted research during a morning flight from Malaga to Amsterdam. Twenty passengers received a so-called health patch. A kind of patch with sensors that measure heart rate, breathing and skin temperature, among other things. What was immediately noticeable was the higher stress level at the airport. Only when the boarding process starts does this subside again. On board the aircraft, the moments when passengers are asked for their attention cause some stress. The 'fasten your seat belt' sign clearly increases the stress level once again. Something that also applies to the moment when the plane has landed and passengers are waiting until they can leave the plane. Then it is the heart rate in particular that increases considerably.

Education
A follow-up study conducted by Masters Communications Science students at the VU shows that stress on board can be reduced if passengers are provided with as much information as possible at the start of their flight. Not only with an instructional video, but also with the help of a manual. “The combination of these two ensures that people who suffer from fear of flying are more relaxed in their seats,” says Brit Haarmans, Innovation Lead at Transavia. “On our website, a pilot explains where the nerves come from and what you can do to reduce this feeling. Furthermore, at Transavia we pay a lot of attention to personal contact. In addition to an affordable price, you can count on us for hospitality and friendly service. Cabin crew are trained to recognize passengers' fears and know how to reassure them. This makes people feel welcome at Transavia and makes them travel to their destination more relaxed.”

Research by Brainineers among 50,000 Transavia frequent flyers shows that 27.7% experience a high degree of fear of flying. The most common fears of air travelers are:
Crash: 51.8%
Fear of heights: 23.2%
Fear of scary: 17.9%
Instability: 11.1%