u/Ill-Possibility-4626

I posted here a couple weeks ago, but the time has finally arrived. In almost less than 24 hours, I will board a flight from RDU to MIA (AA, Boeing 737) and then MIA to BCN (LEVEL, A330-200). This will be my first transatlantic flight, and the longest I have ever been on a plane.

I am posting simply for folks to offer support, affirmation, and advice. I have been catastrophizing and acting like my life is coming to an end for the last 72 hours. I have thirty 1MG Klonopin with me if I feel I need it. If anyone would be kind to track my flights tomorrow, it'd mean the world to me.

Here is my flight information:

RDU-->MIA (AA 2406) 5:45p-8:00p

MIA-->BCN (LEVEL, IB2630) 9:55p-1:00p

I CAN DO THIS! But wow am I still so scared and afraid. Thanks everyone.

Hello, everyone. This is my first time posting on this subreddit, and wow do I need some uplifting support and encouragement. On June 10th, I will be flying from Raleigh to Miami, and then Miami to Barcelona...the trip from Raleigh to Miami will be my fifth flight in my life (I flew for the first time in 25 years back in Fall 2024; went to Puerto Rico...before that, I had only flown twice before in 1999 when I was 5 years old).

I have a pretty bad fear of flying. I catastrophize the experience and I work myself up weeks prior to going. Even now, I noticed my motivation is gone, as is my appetite in anticipation of this trip. I see a therapist, and have been meeting with him but unfortunately it has done little to calm my nerves. This is all despite the fact I had a relatively good experience flying from Raleigh to Puerto Rico.

The flight from Miami to Barcelona will be my first ever transatlantic flight, and it says it will be 9 hours in the air. Every time I get on a plane, I can't help but think of the worst, and the idea of being in the sky for more than 2.5 hours is eating at me! What should I know? How did y'all get through your first long-haul flight? I want to enjoy the trip so bad, and I know I will have so much fun, but I am worried that this fear is going to ruin it. We are flying to Barcelona and boarding a Virgin Atlantic Cruise (France, Ibiza, Palma de Mollorca)...and then taking a plane from Barcelona to Venice, before flying back to NYC from Rome (layover in Lisbon). The idea of getting on this many flights is just stressing me out because I've never traveled like this before in my life (I've been on countless cruise ships and road trips, which I know are more dangerous).

I just need some advice and support. I know the fear is irrational, and that's what makes it harder.