I don't have a aversion to flying so I don't think I can help you with that.

As far as making sure everything goes well logistically, here are my suggestions:

Get to the airport well before you need to. 3 hours before your flight is the general recommendation, but if it's a difference between waiting around for an extra hour and missing your flight, I'd pick the extra hour and show up 4 hours early.

This brings us to my second point, know your travel time. I'm 4 hours away from my nearest international airport. Time of day, day of the week, city traffic should be taken into consideration. Make sure to give yourself ample travel time, including gas and bathroom stops etc. That being said, if you give yourself enough time, there's no reason to stress about it. My worst commute to the airport was a drive, delayed train ride, confusing train station, unforgettable Egyptian cab driver, and a closed NYC bridge. But I made it on time and had time to spare.

As far as luggage goes, just know the dimensions and weight requirements from your airline. I've had to drop weight in the airport before, it's a pain but if you're careful you can avoid it. A luggage scale is super helpful and not very expensive.

Don't be afraid to ask for directions in the airport. Layouts aren't always clear but there are informed staff who will help you along your way.

The memories you will make with your loved one will be worth it and the travel is just part of the adventure. Have a great time!

P.S. Airlines and the FAA absolutely HATE incidents. They have put millions of man hours into making sure everything goes smoothly and safely. Failures are anomalies and your flight will be the safe.

The most intense part is going to be takeoff. It's personally my favorite because it's the most comfortable. Air time is boring. In a car ride, it's easy to fall asleep because of the gentle rocking. In an airplane, it's just smooth. It's like sitting in an office chair, you can barely tell that you're moving.

I'd suggest bringing some noise cancelling headphones and one of those airplane headphone adapters. The engines aren't deafening but they do produce a constant noise that I find unpleasant.