Fly the friendly skies with the help of these iPhone apps

Suffer from high anxiety? Ease your mind and get ready for takeoff with these iPhone apps.

Before you leave, check out these iPhone apps

First and foremost, make sure you fly an airline on which you can pick a good seat. The Airline Seat Guide app ($1.99) gives you access to more than 60 airlines around the world and more than 350 airplanes. For instance, if you can keep your anxiety in check but would love the security of knowing you are the first one out of the plane, should anything happen, make sure to secure a seat by the emergency exit.

If your anxiety stems more around forgetting something at home and at the same time being trapped in the air with no access to obtain these items, plan ahead with an app like Pack & Go (99 cents). That way, you can check off all the important items you may need ahead of time.

Sometimes, the issue of uncertainty can cause undue stress. So plan out your entire trip and keep all the details in the handy and free Tripit app. That way, you’ll have your entire travel itinerary right on your iPhone.

On the way to the airport with these iPhone apps

This one may seem silly, but with the free Airplane app, you can listen to the sound of an airplane taking off repeatedly. Shake and the flight attendant will remind you to fasten your seat belt for turbulence. It’s psychological warfare.

With the free Travelocity app, you can look up gates and times, as well as security wait times and airport delays, while riding in the cab on the way to the airport.

iPhone apps to help during the flight

Virgin Atlantic’s Flying without Fear app ($4.99) is a complete tool to conquer your fear of flying. The app gives in-flight explanations so you know what is happening when it happens. It also includes relaxation exercises, FAQs, fear therapy and a fear attack button for emergencies.

If you are still shaky after going through Flying without Fear, try the iCounselor: Anxiety app (99 cents), which allows you rate your anxiety on a level from 1 to 10 and offers coordinating exercises for calming down.

I always find that the sounds of the ocean calm me down, especially if I know I’m about to walk on an airplane. So I downloaded the Sleepmaker Waves Pro app ($2.99) to help me picture a safe landing and an even better vacation. Couple the sound of the ocean with one of your favorite naughty romance novels downloaded on the free Amazon Kindle app, and you’ll have a virtual beach vacation in the sky.

And one last thing: the free inspired by the website FlightAware is Live Flight Tracker. So just give your flight number to loved ones before you leave, and they can track your progress with this free app and know when to pick you up at the airport upon your safe arrival home.

Latest from NewsReports