A flight attendant has gone viral for sharing advice for how fliers can handle the terrifying fears that come with extreme turbulence on planes.
Rhia Kerr, 23, who works as cabin crew for Irish airline Ryanair, shared a video on TikTok with tips on how panic-stricken flyers can calm themselves during rocky flights.
In her video clip, which has now garnered over 2.5 million views, the flight attendant explained how turbulence is a sudden shift in airflow which can cause the aircraft to jolt.
Text on the video reads: When we experience turbulence, naturally our brains can’t comprehend being out of control and the sensation of falling can cause our brains fear response center to send a distress signal into our brain.
Kerr assured her viewers that airplanes are designed to withstand turbulence and that there is no reason to panic.
In her video, which has now garnered over 2.5 million views, she explained how turbulence is a sudden shift in airflow which can cause the aircraft to jolt
Rhia Kerr, 23, who works as cabin crew for Irish airline Ryanair shared a video on TikTok with tips on how nervous flyers can calm themselves during turbulence
In her video, she writes: Aircrafts cannot fall out of the sky due to turbulence — the law of physics keeps it suspended in the air. You are in very safe hands.
Offering advice, Kerr adds that anyone scared of flying should use breathing exercises, listen to calming music, fasten your seatbelt and close your eyes.
She adds: You should try and avoid panicking if you can as this can lead to hyperventilating, which will ultimately make you feel worse.
However, if this is unavoidable, press your call bell and your cabin crew will comfort and check on you if it is safe to do so.
Speaking with Fox News, Kerr said that she also recommends a nervous flyer writes a list of things to do or what they are looking forward to once they disembark.
Try finding breathing exercises on YouTube or TikTok beforehand [and] put these into practice during turbulence, she added.
According to the Federal Aviation Administration, around 20 people were seriously injured from turbulence in 2023 which included passengers and crew members
Kerr said it wasnt unusual for a nervous flyer to alert cabin crew of their fear and that they keep an eye on those who make them aware.
She added: Turbulence can be determined by forecasts, it is worth asking the crew before departure if you are going to expect any as they have most likely been briefed about this before takeoff.
Kerr added that her number one priority is the safety of passengers and that she went through extensive training to qualify.
According to the Federal Aviation Administration, around 20 people were seriously injured from turbulence in 2023 which included passengers and crew members.
The FAA recommends keeping your belt buckled at all times and listening to staff onboard while during turbulence.