Welcome to Virgin Atlantics Flying Without Fear Courses

News and Media

Many thanks for checking out our website. If you read some of the testimonials that we've received from people like you and our message board, you'll see why those who've experienced our courses to help them overcome their fear of flying and the media are so enthused.

All members of our team are passionate about helping you to overcome your fear of flying. To quote the Eastern Daily Press, 'the infectious enthusiasm of the (Flying Without Fear) team is undoubtedly a factor in its success rate.'

Latest News:-

We have just launched our new book called "Flying Without Fear, 101 Fear of Flying Questions Answered". This is now available from all major bookshops. It may interest you to know, that Sir Richard Branson has written the foreword for the the book and has a copy on his own book shelf.

By special request, our Flying Without Fear team travelled to America to help actress Whoopi Goldberg overcome her fear of flying.  She hadn't flown for a decade, but the opening of her new musical production "Sister Act" in London meant that she had to get on a plane again, which she was dreading.  Whoopi received a lot of media attention both in the US and UK about the help she received from Virgin Atlantic's Flying Without Fear program and this is what she said about it:

The View (US), 1 April 2009: ”I think lots of people would benefit. You need to bring this program here because I just feel like I got a huge amount from it…I'm going to get on a plane!" Whoopi Goldberg

GMTV, 6th April 2009: "Virgin does this amazing program here in the UK and I'm begging them to bring it to the States where they can get people over their fear of flying.......There are too many fail safes.....Just knowing that was enough to sort of get me humming in the car on the way to the airport - something which used to be me clawing at people and scratching." Whoopi Goldberg

The Trevor McDonald ‘Tonight’ show recently filmed Raef Bjayou (of ‘The Apprentice’ fame) following Liz McCLarnon (of Atomic Kitten & Celebrity Masterchef fame) overcoming her fears of flying at our Manchester course.

Two Coronation Street celebrities, Kym Ryder and Antony Cotton, both attended our Manchester course. They both sent us very warm messages and video clips saying how much they enjoyed the course.

On Sunday 8th June BBC TV and Radio came along to feature the Bournemouth course. Denise, a fearful flyer, who they followed was filmed and recorded as she overcame her fears of flying.

On the 25th May we were filmed by ITV1 for prime-time television. The reporter, Gillian, said "I can honestly say that in my 7 years as an ITV reporter, dealing with you was one of the best, friendliest and most professional interactions that I have ever had. I also personally thoroughly enjoyed my day.".

In May 2008 we featured in Business Traveller magazine, Choice magazine, BBC Radio Solent, BBC Radio Southern Counties and Top Sunte magazine.

On the 4th August 08, a large feature came out in 'Woman' magazine about how we helped Antony Cotton to over come his fears. In July, we were also featured in the 'Independent' newspaper.

After the Heathrow course on 24th August '08, Channel Five News Reporter Leyla Hayes said "The course was really good. I found the information from the pilot especially useful. I now know exactly how a plane works, and I think that's going to make me much calmer in the sky!"

On the same Heathrow course, Emma Forrest, Global travel editor for METRO newspapers said "It was an amazing, inspiring experience, you must find it enormously rewarding to 'cure' so many people of their fear like that!"

Media:- What interest does our fear of flying course attract?

Recent TV and Radio - One of our recent courses featured on 'Cash in the Attic' where a gentleman overcame his fears of flight and is planning his holiday to New Zeland. We also featured on Radio 1 for half-an-hour on the Chris Moyles show, BBCs 'Inside Out' documentary series, filmed a short while ago, where both participants who were followed by the BBC crew, finished the course very happy people

In addition to this our fear of flying course has also appeared on 'ITV, Sky, Airtime.

We also appeared on ITV1s 'Solution Street' series. At that time, ITV informed us of two people they knew of in the 'street' had a fear of flying and who wouldn't fly under any circumstances. They challenged us to help those people to overcome their fears of flying. Both attendees thoroughly enjoyed the course and boarded the flight at the end of the day. We have since received a letter from ITV saying 'We are delighted to let you know that S.G. and K.C. have booked holidays with family and friends and are truly happy.'

Hello magazine ran a full page article in September 2006 on how the reigning Miss England,Eleanor Glynn, wouldn't travel to the Miss World competition in Poland due to her life long fear of flying, until she attended the Virgin Atlantic Fly Without Fear course. After the course she flew to Poland and was quoted saying " The flight to Warsaw was brilliant. I never thought i'd hear myself say i enjoyed a flight!" She has also left a message on the August Heathrow 2006 section of our message board.

Airliner world, the leading airline magazine, also attended our Heathrow course and published a fantastic 5 page article, they printed,"Many of those on the course were actually quite surprised at how effective the days session had been. 'I attended a fly Without fear course with another airliner about 10 years ago but with no success, so I was way apprehensive. But there was no need to be because I thorougly enjoyed this course. The whole day was very relaxed and held in a very friendly atmosphere which made all the diffrence' said Christine Milland."

Radio:- LBC Radio, BBC World Service, Greater Manchester Radio, BBC Radio 2, BBC Radio Leeds, BBC Radio Leicester, BBC West Midlands, Smooth FM, BBC Radio York, Radio Kent, BBC Wales.

Newspapers:- METRO, The Sun, Mirror, Daily Mail, The Times, Times Educational, Daily Express, Guardian, Sheffield Star, Southern Daily Echo, Midlands Outlook, The Shropshire Star, Travel Daily News, Eastern Daily Press, Glasgow Evening Times, Surrey advertiser, Market Raisin Mail, Eastleigh & Chandlers Ford News.

Magazines:- Hello, Time Out, Men’s Health, NOW, Woman’s Own, Bella, Closer, Best, Take a Break, Good Holiday Magazine, Woman & Home, BUPA magazine, Phobics Society Magazine, Manchester City Life, A Place in the Sun’s Everything FRANCE, Cloud9, Healthy, LE Magazine, Seatback, Univardis (for doctors), ABTA magazine, IAM magazine, I-fly, Plane talk, Rush Magazine, Seasons magazine, Skyport, Airliner World, Womens Weekly.

Media Quotes

The Financial Times said “Virgin's Flying Without Fear day could be the best gift you ever gave anyone."

The Eastern Daily Press reported “the infectious enthusiasm of the (Flying Without Fear) team is undoubtedly a factor in its success rate.”

Sunday Express reporter, Louise Earl wrote “I can’t believe it.  I loved it and to be up above the clouds was just brilliant.  Orlando here I come.”

Hello magazine ran a full page article on how the reigning Miss England,Eleanor Glynn, wouldn't travel to the Miss World competition in Poland due to her life long fear of flying, until she attended the Virgin Atlantic Flying Without Fear course. After the course she flew to Poland and was quoted saying " The flight to Warsaw was brilliant. I never thought I'd hear myself say i enjoyed a flight!"

The Sunday Times reporter Liz Edwards wrote “..there are several spontaneous rounds of applause, and on landing, when the pilot asks if we want to go again, there’s an enthusiastic response.”

Airliner World, a leading airline magazine, "Many of those on the course were actually quite surprised at how effective the days session had been. 'I attended a fly Without fear course with another airliner about 10 years ago but with no success, so I was way apprehensive. But there was no need to be because I thoroughly enjoyed this course. The whole day was very relaxed and held in a very friendly atmosphere which made all the difference' said Christine Milland."

South Manchester Reporter’s Kate Stirrup said “The Virgin staff were wonderful……..this was a life changing experience……..The difference this course – just one day – has made to the way I look at air travel really is remarkable……….if you are scared of flying, this course could be one of the best investments of your life.”

Vogue’s Eve Conant wrote "What an amazing course! I absolutely loved it. When I flew out of London the next day, on a genuine flight, I was so armed with knowledge about how a plane works, I felt like I could have piloted the big bird.”

Shropshire Star’s Ben Bentley said “Upon touchdown there were tears of joy and hugs.  We have survived the plane and all the fears attached to it, and this is no small victory.”

Scotland on Sunday’s Ruth Fairbain shared the following, “At the beginning of the day I was absolutely certain there was no way I was setting foot on a plane, that I would be content to come and listen and try to work on my fears from there.  But when the moment came, I was more than happy.  I felt really relaxed and confident.”

A reporter for Newsshopper called Louise Tweddell reported “I was genuinely not scared.  As we took off I was amazed to feel none of the usual symptoms of fear……As we landed there was a huge cheer, caused by a sense of achievement.  I got off the plane feeling like I had beaten it.”

Mark Stratton a Wanderlust magazine reporter said “After circling cloudless skies, we returned to earth.  Applause broke out on touchdown……….behind me I heard an excited voice comment: Shame there wasn’t a little more turbulence.”

In the Metro newspaper, Neil Moore said “The pilots, David Kistruck and Dominic Riley, were brilliant.  They were funny and kept the atmosphere relaxed yet informative.”

In the Newcastle Evening Chronicle, Patricia Stobbs is quoted saying “I now go to bed dreaming of where I’m going to fly.”

Brighton Argus reporter Ruth Addicott said “…….And for the first time in years, I didn’t feel scared but actually enjoyed the experience.  After what seemed like no time, it was over and another big cheer went up when we touched down.  For anyone afraid of flying, I’d definitely recommend it.”

Southern Daily Echo magazine reporter Paula Rushton said “Imagine your worst fear.  Now imagine deliberately putting yourself in the path of that fear.  I did and it was fantastic!”

Surrey Advertiser reporter Julia Hunt reported “As the minutes ticked by the mood on board got better and better and by the time we landed everybody – including myself – was euphoric.”

Now magazine quoted from Gemma McCafferty “That sick, panicky sensation is a thing of the past and I feelI can do anything.  My phobia’s well and truly gone.”

If there are any questions that you may have, please don't hesitate to either e-mail on info@flyingwithoutfear.info or call 01423-714900. For media enquiries, please call the Virgin Atlantic press office on 01293-747373.

We look forward to seeing you on one of our courses soon to help you overcome your fear of flying,

Richard, Paul & the Virgin Atlantic 'Flying Without Fear' team