Short flights for a poltroon

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I haven't flown for years - not since suffering a severe panic attack on a plane from Heathrow to Corfu. Luckily, I don't need to fly for my work, but it's so frustrating because I would love to travel, particularly one day to India. But I am worried that as soon as I get in a plane, I will become a gibbering wreck, and have to endure this state of anxiety for the rest of a long journey.
I have decided, for me, the best way to conquer my fear might be to build up over the months/years; to take short flights to places near the UK, possibly Jersey or Aberdeen, have holidays there, and in so doing establish the confidence to get on a long-haul.
Does anyone have any suggestions for destinations that are under an hour (pref under 40 mins TBH) from Heathrow?

― Rib Dinner, Thursday, 4 October 2007 15:05 (seventeen years ago)

ireland, anywhere. about 45 mins i'd say would get you nearly anywhere.

― darraghmac, Thursday, 4 October 2007 15:07 (seventeen years ago)

Do not go on holiday to Aberdeen, it is very cold (also not "near" the UK, unless we've achieved independence when I was downstairs making a cup of coffee). Go to Amsterdam and then you can get, um, mellowed for your return flight.

― ailsa, Thursday, 4 October 2007 15:08 (seventeen years ago)

You can investigate the options for long distance land travel http://www.seat61.com/

To answer your question though, you probably want to go places by jet rather than turbo-prop as people seem to freak out more with prop planes. Brussels, Paris, Amsterdam would fit the bill and Dublin is not much further. All are, of course, much easier and more pleasantly reached by train.

― Ed, Thursday, 4 October 2007 15:08 (seventeen years ago)

You can, of course work out the dangers of travelling through eastern turkey, Iran Balochistan and Sind by land in these troubled times; compare them to the dangers of getting on a 747 to Delhi and choose the 8 hours in the tin tube.

― Ed, Thursday, 4 October 2007 15:11 (seventeen years ago)

Nah, go on a prop plane, your long-haul will seem lovely by comparison. I'm not the best flyer in the world, but had great flights to and from Tampa this year, having been used to totey wee planes prior to this.

― ailsa, Thursday, 4 October 2007 15:12 (seventeen years ago)

I do do the train lots, Ed, and am off to Frankfurt next week as it goes, but short flights would seem expedient if I want to get to India ultimately. I also have kids, you see - too young for the wanderlust as yet, but when they want to fly places, I want to be up for it.
The jet idea sounds worth investigating.

― Rib Dinner, Thursday, 4 October 2007 15:14 (seventeen years ago)

the alternative is the Mr T method.

― Ed, Thursday, 4 October 2007 15:15 (seventeen years ago)

You fool!

― Rib Dinner, Thursday, 4 October 2007 15:16 (seventeen years ago)

london/dublin by train?

― darraghmac, Thursday, 4 October 2007 15:20 (seventeen years ago)

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