Fear of Flying? Real-Time Flight Data Can Help

Fear of flying affects over 30% of travelers. See how live flight data, cabin comfort details, and tracking tools can calm anxious flyers and keep them coming back to your travel app.

Fear of Flying: A Factor Causing Customer Loss

Background & Market Insight
Many international studies report that about 30% to 40% of air travelers feel some anxiety when flying.
Approximately 5% to 10% of travelers are diagnosed with a clinical fear of flying.
These findings come from trusted sources such as the American Psychological Association, Anxiety UK, and IATA.

In the U.S. alone, over 25 million adults struggle with a fear of flying (APA 2023).
French mental health research also reports that 37% of women and 30% of men feel significant tension during flights.

This emotional barrier impacts the entire travel and aviation value chain:
Users avoid booking flights, cancel more often, and stop using travel apps.
This leads to lower conversion rates, fewer repeat purchases, and reduced app activity. According to IATA, these effects could cause revenue losses worth billions of dollars.

What Causes Fear of Flying?

Lack of information and control – Uncertainty about flight status, timelines, and safety measures intensifies flight anxiety.
Physiological reactions – Cabin pressure changes and mild hypoxia can cause a faster heartbeat, shortness of breath, dizziness, and nausea; turbulence amplifies discomfort.
Environmental & cognitive factors – Confined space, unfamiliar surroundings, and media accident coverage heighten perceived risk.

How Travel Apps Can Help Passengers Overcome Flight Anxiety

In-Cabin Expectations – Flight Happiness Index (FHI)
Provide seat maps, Wi-Fi availability, entertainment systems, and meal options before departure. Setting clear expectations helps passengers overcome fear of flying by reducing uncertainty, boosting booking confidence.

Real-Time Flight Updates – Flight Status Data API
Provide immediate updates on gate changes, flight delays, baggage allowances, and destination weather conditions. Keeping travelers informed at every stage helps them deal with the fear of flying more calmly.

Live Tracking & Visualization – Aircraft Tracking Data
Show aircraft type, age, real-time position, altitude, and speed on interactive maps and animations. Seeing the flight’s progress can reassure passengers and provide practical tips for fear of flying.

Business Advantages of a Data-Driven “Calm Flight” Experience

Differentiated positioning – Become one of the best travel apps for fear of flying and attract high-sensitivity users.
Higher conversions & repeat bookings – Earn trust from anxious flyers, reducing abandoned carts and cancellations.
Enhanced tech perception – Real-time visualization and smart notifications reinforce your brand’s innovation and professionalism.
Lower operational load – Fewer anxiety-driven support calls and refund requests reduce costs.
Long-term loyalty – Position your platform as a trusted “flight companion,” keeping users engaged.

Case Study: Singapore Travel App

In 2025, a popular travel app in Singapore launched a feature called “Calm Flying Companion.” It uses FHI cabin comfort data and live flight tracking from VariFlight.

After just a few weeks, anxious travelers gave great feedback. More users booked again, and fewer called support about flight anxiety.

One passenger noted:
“Seeing my seat, facilities, and flight info ahead of time — and tracking the plane live — helped me relax a lot.”

14-Day Free Trial

We’re offering a 14-day free trial of our core data APIs for industry partners. Add live flight info and visuals to your platform to help nervous flyers feel calmer and enjoy their trip more.

Contact our business team today for integration documents and a trial account.

Reference
American Psychological Association (APA) – Fear of Flying Statistics
Anxiety UK – Fear of Flying
YouGov – Fear of Flying Survey Results
International Air Transport Association (IATA) – Passenger Fear and Anxiety Insights