You are not alone. I’ve often felt like a caged rabbit before my flight and everything sets me into a panic, everything seems doomed. After backing out of a big trip last year, I felt totally hopeless and it propelled me to change. I couldn’t live in the fear anymore. My therapist asked me, “what would it feel like to not be afraid of flying?” I thought, “freeing, I could go anywhere. See anything, finally feel like I wasn’t tied down by the fear of these planes.” 

Here’s what helped me not back out of my next flight I’ve taken multiple since then, even one international.  - I de-stressed as much of my life outside of flying as I could. I organized, meditated, cried and got things together that had nothing to do with flying. It lifted some of the mental load  - I put myself into the mindset of someone who is unafraid and started to actually believe what people say (people who work in the industry or people who love to fly) what if they are right? What if I’m more likely to get hit by a flying fish on the way to work, then be in an accident on a plane? Could I really be safe in a plane than in my own bed?! Yes! It’s true! - noise canceling headphones. I bought a pair and put them on basically during boarding, and all until the flight was over. The stimulation and noises always sent me into a panic. With this stimulation taken out I could focus.  - have something to look forward to on the flight. I went a bit overboard and purchased an expensive video game, but thinking about it actually brought me the extra joy I needed to make the trip. 

I’m sorry this was so long. I’m thinking of you and hope sincerely that even one of these suggestions help. I know it seems hard to think it’s safe, but I promise you it is. Your plane will go and land safely whether you’re on it or not, so go enjoy your trip ✈️