To some, the fear of flying is quite real and results in them missing out on some great personal and professional opportunities. Alternatively, they end up going on flights having to grin and bear it, during what to them is an incredibly uncomfortable and stressful experience.

Some of the most unlikely people suffer from a fear of flying – soccer player Dennis Bergkamp (nicknamed the ‘non-Flying Dutchman') missed most of his team's away games in Europe due to his refusal to fly after once having experienced a hair-raising flight, and even the A-Team had to drug BA Baracus to get him onto flights!

How can you overcome your fear of flying? The realbuzz team's top tips below aim to take some of the fear factor out of flying.

Prepare well in advance for your flight
Make a checklist of all the important things that you need to take and then pack well in advance. Avoid rushing unnecessarily - which will help to minimise your anxieties before the flight.

Get to the airport early
Aim to get to the airport more than two hours before your flight, to reduce stress, allowing you time to find out check in details, and to relax with some airport shopping or dining.

Eat well before the flight
Before a long flight, ensure you have a decent meal, to maintain blood sugar levels (important at times of anxiety or stress when your body will burn off more blood sugar than when you're in a relaxed state). Also, don't drink too much alcohol, the atmosphere in the cabin is pressurised so the alcohol will affect you more than usual and could exaggerate your fears.

Learn to relax
Try some deep breathing exercises and wear loose-fitting clothing. You could even consider taking an inflatable pillow with you for added comfort. Giving yourself some distractions will also help, such as music which will help to block out aircraft noises and allow your mind to wander.

Think positive thoughts
Think about your reason for travelling, so that you keep in mind the worthwhile goal at the end of your flight. Also, keep in mind that flying is around 10 times safer than climbing up the stairs at home and 21 times safer than driving – plus it's estimated that you would have to take a flight every day for 30,000 years before you are likely to be in a fatal air crash! !

Security issues
The threat of terrorism is quite real in modern times, but it's not necessarily any worse than it was in the past. In fact, more stringent airport security checks nowadays mean that flying is probably much safer than it used to be.

Face up to your fear of flying
If you expect to be scared or have feelings of anxiety, you will be better able to handle them and not let them overcome you. Remember that other people may also have some anxieties about flying, even if they appear confident and relaxed - so you won't be alone.

Seek reassurance
Tell the cabin crew if you suffer badly from a fear of flying, as they can offer reassurance and explain to you at times about strange sounds during the flights. This can be a great help for putting your mind at ease, as it will remind you that everything is under control.

Talk to your doctor before flying
If your problem is particularly acute, consider talking to your doctor about it. They may be able to advise whether any relaxation techniques or medication would be helpful.

It may seem like we're stating the obvious, but worrying about flying is perfectly natural. People aren't born with wings, after all, and so flying thousands of feet in the air is bound to cause concern! However, there's really nothing to worry about, as the chances of something going wrong during any flight are extremely slim.

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