Claiming to “change your life in just four hours”, low-cost carrier easyJet has just launched its latest series of ‘Fearless Flyer’ courses for those who suffer from aerophobia, more commonly known as a fear of flying.
With a range of courses starting from January 27, 2024, and taking place in several UK locations including Manchester (MAN), London-Luton (LTN), Bristol (BRS), Belfast (BFS), and London-Gatwick (LGW), aerophobic customers have a choice of five airports across the UK from which to book their post-course experience flight.
According to the airline, almost 12,000 customers have got airborne following the successful completion of the carrier’s ‘Fearless Flyer’ course since 2012. The company claims its program has achieved an over 95% success rate and in March 2023, easyJet celebrated the completion of its 150th course milestone.
“We’re delighted to be relaunching our renowned Fearless Flyer course for 2024 with winter courses now available to book across the UK,” said Captain Chris Foster, Fearless Flyer Lead Pilot at easyJet.
“The course is suitable for anyone who is a nervous flyer, whether they experience slight anxiety or whether they have never flown before, and with a success rate of more than 95%, we would encourage anyone wishing to overcome their fear to take part,” he added.
With prices starting at £89 ($113) per person and with several packages and VIP experiences available to purchase, easyJet will be hoping to convert another cohort of aerophobes into seasoned airline travelers in time for their 2024 getaways.
According to the airline, its Fearless Flyer courses are divided into three main elements.
The first is a virtual ground course, where top phobia expert Lawrence Leyton plus a senior easyJet captain will explain the unfamiliar sounds and sensations customers feel onboard an aircraft and teach them a unique set of mind techniques to manage their nerves. This virtual session, which participants can join from the comfortable surroundings of their own homes, lasts approximately two and a half hours.
Secondly, a pre-flight one-hour ‘Meet the Team’ online Zoom session, where participants will be walked through the airport experience and what to expect. The Zoom session also includes a participant-led Q&A session where phobia expert Lawrence Leyton and the easyJet pilot will answer any last-minute questions.
Lastly, course participants join a dedicated easyJet-operated one-hour experience flight from their chosen course airport. During the short flight, customers can put their new skills to the test whilst listening to a live commentary of the flight from the Fearless Flyer team onboard.
Packages available
In addition to the standard course, the carrier is also offering a VIP course from London-Gatwick on March 2, 2024. Those selecting the VIP package get to experience extra course benefits including a dedicated course captain who will guide them through the experience flight day, a pre-flight private video call with an easyJet pilot and the Fearless Flyer team, VIP check-in process, security and boarding for the experience flight, guaranteed upfront seats, and lifetime access to additional course materials.
“Around one in six people have a fear of flying, stopping many from traveling abroad on holiday, visiting friends and family or even flying for work,” said Mark Wein, easyJet’s Fearless Flyer Course Director. “Why wait to join so many who have already overcome their fears through our renowned Fearless Flyer course? We’re excited to help many more people get flying fearlessly on our courses over the coming months, the results are truly life-changing.”
Courses for winter/spring 2024 will be held at Manchester Airport on January 27, London-Luton Airport on February 3, Bristol Airport on February 4, Belfast International Airport on February 11, and London-Gatwick on March 2, 2024.
To find out more about the easyJet Fearless Flight courses and to book a place on one of the upcoming courses, you can follow this link.