The best time of day to catch a flight if you’re afraid of flying

Turbulence. It’s that annoying, frustrating and sometimes downright scary part of flying that knocks over your cup of coffee and stops you from taking your seatbelt off. It doesn’t occur on every flight, but when it does it can make you feel like saying your Hail Marys, just in case.  

If you are absolutely terrified of flying, but need to get onto a flight because there aren’t any planes, trains or automobiles to get you where you need to go – or no sympathetic family members who understand your concern – there are some interesting ways you can attempt to avoid turbulence. It’s not completely foolproof but it’s worth a shot, especially if you really are afraid of flying.

Los Angeles pilot, Jerry Johnson, shared with Readers Digest the one tip that will result in a less turbulent flight.

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“If you’re a nervous flier, book a morning flight,” Johnson says.

“The heating of the ground later causes bumpier air, and it’s much more likely to thunderstorm in the afternoon.”

Turbulence is basically caused by certain types of clouds and thunderstorms that planes must fly through or around.

It’s also thought that where you sit on the plane can have an impact on how much you experience turbulence, with some suggesting a seat near the wing, at the centre of gravity, as your best option.

And if you’re extremely nervous about flying, then opt for a larger plane, too, because the bigger the vessel the less you’ll be able to feel the bumpy air pockets you’re passing through.

Are you afraid of flying? Would you chose to fly in the morning if it meant there was less of a chance of a bumpy flight? Let us know in the comments section below.