Terrified of flying + first time flying overseas!

Here's a tip I read on Elysse Sewell's website that I liked so much, I am totally doing it next time I'm flying (though it doesn't have anything to do with nervous flying): take a whole fruit (or two)with you on the flight for a snack. Put it in a paper towel, and a ziplock bag. That way, you can have it, clean up and wrap the mess in the paper towel, stuff it in a bag and just toss it in the trash. No fuss.

Okay, this is going to sound gross & weird, I know...  But I always take & spread Neosporin anti-bacterial ointment up my nose (when I'm in the loo - not sitting there in my seat with my finger up my nose - for a longhaul flight, once usually in the airport loo before and then maybe once during the flight).  It kills/neutralises airbourne bacteria.  I used to always get sick after flying until I started doing that - a tip I read on a website for veteran travelers.

unfortunately due to anxiety + hypochondria valium always makes me feel like I am having a heart attack or something!
I think I will definitely bring some fruit on the plane and water of course. I wish I knew what the airport in Edinburgh looked like so I would know if I can go into a bathroom and do my make-up before my fiance sees me! Maybe I'll do it on the plane before I land. I know he doesn't really care if I'm wearing make-up for have freshened up, but I am determined to do it anyway!!
When I woke up this morning my ear infections felt worse! But I still have four days, so I am really hoping it clears up.
And I just have to keep telling myself I CAN DO THIS!

There's always a bathroom on the gates side of security, so this is a non-issue. In Newcastle I have to gather all my luggage before I can see my DBF.

There should be a bathroom either before you get to the baggage area or in the baggage area. That's pretty standard in most airports.

Okay, this is going to sound gross & weird, I know...  But I always take & spread Neosporin anti-bacterial ointment up my nose (when I'm in the loo - not sitting there in my seat with my finger up my nose - for a longhaul flight, once usually in the airport loo before and then maybe once during the flight).  It kills/neutralises airbourne bacteria.  I used to always get sick after flying until I started doing that - a tip I read on a website for veteran travelers.

Doesn't sound gross or weird. I do this too, when I remember too. Not up my nose, exactly, but under my nostrills. Sometimes, if I am congested, I smear some mentholated goo under there instead.

I also wash off all my makeup, brush my teeth, and put on face cream before I get on the flight, like I'm going to bed.

That's a great idea, actually! I sometimes take my contacts case to take them out over night and then put them back on in the "morning" when we arrive overseas. I am flying in 29 days (!!) and will try your trick. I usually pack Dove face wet wipes and make up in my carry on to freshen up before landing.

Okay, this is going to sound gross & weird, I know...  But I always take & spread Neosporin anti-bacterial ointment up my nose (when I'm in the loo - not sitting there in my seat with my finger up my nose - for a longhaul flight, once usually in the airport loo before and then maybe once during the flight).  It kills/neutralises airbourne bacteria.  I used to always get sick after flying until I started doing that - a tip I read on a website for veteran travelers.

I do this too. I swear by it.

I do this too. I swear by it.

My US GP also told me about the Neosporin/nose thing once when I had been getting nosebleeds in the winter.  It helps to keep the nasal membranes hydrated (also helpful on a flight) as well as guarding against infection.

I haven't read all the replies, so sorry if I am repeating a tip- I saw mention of a decongestant and just wanted to share what my daughter's doctor told me which was very very helpful. She said when we were flying over here to ask the flight attendant to please let us know when it would be about a half hour before they begin the decent. She said decent starts way before landing and that is when the pressure is bad on your ears so she said if about a half hour before the start of the decent you take a decongestant and pain killer (ibuprofen or tylenol) it will help a lot...it worked wonders with my daughter. The flight attendants were great when I asked and even checked with the pilot to find out when the decent would begin.

I also agree with letting the flight attendants know if you are a nervous flyer. DH is one and he is always so pleasantly surprised how nice and helpful they are when they know, it makes a huge difference to him.

I take an empty water bottle with me, and fill it up with water before the flight. I also wash off all my makeup, brush my teeth, and put on face cream before I get on the flight, like I'm going to bed. Then in London I go to the bathroom and wash my face, brush my teeth, put on a full face of makeup, and jazz up my hair a bit.

Yep.  I do the same thing.  Also if you've got some dry shampoo that will perk up your hair a bit.  I can't stand it when my hair is limp and greasy, which is usually the effect that flying has on it. 

Hey I moved to Glasgow from PHX and did that flight lots - I used to be terrified too, now I love flying. The SOAR site helped me (google 'soar, fear of flying' or something like that). Basically a pilot details on this site how safe flying is and dispells myths and there's a message board which answers questions. It really prepared me for things during the flight, etc. I usually make sure I dress really comfy and take something to drink. Remember that air travel is very very safe! Turbulence may be uncomfortable but its not bad for the plane at all. Watch how calm the cabin crew are. At the end of the day, all the cabin crew have families to get home to and they are doing their jobs, they won't take risks, you'rwe in good hands! Anyway, enjoy the flight and enjoy Scotland! We could use some AZ sunshine!

The talk of turbulence reminded me of something I learned on a forum for fearful fliers and it helped me a lot. Turbulence in the air is a lot like the bumps in a road when you drive a car; the only difference is we can kinda see the bumps up ahead, but sometimes a pothole catches you off guard and you get a little surprised. Turbulence is the same principle kinda, and the plane is great at handling it--it *wants* to fly, that's what it's made for. And also if you'll notice, they don't give you a lid for your drinks, because they don't expect there to be that much bumping around--certainly not as much as you'd get in a car

I think it helped a lot to read things from pilots, and to see how excited they are to fly and how it's so much more than a career to them. For them it's a very routine thing and they're some of the most professional people you'll meet, so it helps to try and let their calmness rub off onto you if it can.

My MIL took a fear of flying course out of Heathrow a few years ago, and it changed her life! (I say a few years, its probably 10 years ago now) When my husband and I got together and she knew my parents lived not far out of NYC it was one of her lifelong dreams to see NYC, so she took the course and now they travel a lot! It really has changed her life! She also likes to have lots of attention from the cabin crew, so she lets the know she is a nervous flyer! Good luck everyone!

Another thing for freshening up after a long flight is to take a small packet of wipes. Then, when going into the restroom for teeth and stuff, I go into the stall and freshen up a bit with wipes.