I really want to go somewhere warm and sunny this summer. But my wife is scared of flying

Dear Maggie

At this time of year my wife and I always discuss our summer holiday plans. Once again, this has led to a big row.

I want to go abroad, to find somewhere hot and sunny, but she wants to stay in Britain.

Now, I don’t mind admitting we’ve had some good seaside holidays in Scotland, England, Ireland and Wales over the years, particularly when our children were young, but they’ve now all left home and I want to visit somewhere more adventurous such as Greece, Italy, Portugal or even America.

The truth is, my wife is nervous about flying. On the two occasions we’ve tried a shorthaul flight, she has suffered panic attacks.

We’re both now in our early 50s, so if we don’t go abroad now, when will we? I feel I’m losing out and I’m fed up compromising.

How can I get my wife to see my point of view without yet another row?

Maggie Says

I can understand how frustrating this must be. You want to take your wife abroad, yet she doesn’t want to travel too far or explore somewhere different.

Fear of flying is a very real thing and it’s hard to overcome it. But there are now courses to help people cope with their anxieties about air travel.

I attended one myself because I was nervous about travelling on an aeroplane. I was amazed by how much it changed my attitude.

We were advised about how to cope with the feeling of fear when you step into an airport.

This was followed by breathing exercises to help you relax and stop your heart racing.

Then there was a visit to Glasgow Airport and a talk from staff there about the tension people often experience when they walk into a bustling airport. It ended with the opportunity to have a very short flight.

Everyone in our group was a little bit anxious but we practised our breathing exercises and were delighted when we managed to actually enjoy the experience.

Why not contact your local airport and find out if they run a fear of flying course? You could suggest to your wife that you both attend?

She may even enjoy it and, if it gives her the confidence to attempt a shorthaul flight, this could be the start of very different holidays for you both. Good luck.