Top airlines for ‘nervous’ passengers revealed — and ‘smelly toilets’ ruin trips for those flyers more than you think

Keep calm and carry on … with boarding.

The experts at luggage purveyor Bounce.com surveyed over 2,000 travelers to determine what sends passengers’ anxiety soaring — no surprise, “screaming children” factor in heavily — and additionally revealed which airlines are best for nervous flyers to book.

Soaring to the top of the latter list, with an impressive stress-free score of 8.94 out of 10, Singapore Airlines ranked the best choice for those looking to relax in the air.

Amid flawless reviews and top-notch safety ratings, one of the airline’s standout features is its economy seat width. At 18.5 inches, it’s the widest among the top 10 airlines, offering plenty of room to settle in and relax.

Once travelers buckle up, the airline also offers in-flight meditation playlists through Spotify, including calming nature sounds and instrumental tracks designed to help passengers unwind.

In second place, Korean Air makes a strong case for its spot among the best, with a stress-free score of 8.82 out of 10. Passengers particularly appreciate the airline’s generous 32.5-inch seat pitch — the space between you and the seat in front of you.

Korean Air also eases nervous travelers’ minds with perfect ratings, scoring a 7/7 safety score and a 5/5 review score.

Cathay Pacific rounds out the top three with a solid stress-free score of 8.57 out of 10. This airline’s commitment to comfort is evident, even if its seat pitch (32 inches) falls just short of Korean Air’s.

It also offers a 17.9-inch economy seat width, along with a unique partnership with Headspace to offer official meditation support through the world-renowned meditation app aboard.

Top 10 best airlines for nervous passengers:

1. Singapore Airlines
2. Korean Air
3. Cathay Pacific
4. Japan Airlines
5. Qatar Airways
6. easyJet
7. Virgin Australia
8. Virgin Atlantic
9. British Airways
10. SWISS

Unfortunately, passengers can’t always check their anxieties at the gate, even with wider seats, extra legroom or in-flight relaxation playlists.

But what really makes travelers feel so uneasy and uncomfortable?

More than half of travelers say screaming children (51.6%) and turbulence (51.5%) make their flying experience plane awful.

Most also jet can’t handle loud people (46.7%) and dreaded delays (40.30%).

Hopefully, the stress of flying doesn’t mess with your stomach — because about 39.8% of travelers say smelly toilets can make their experience unpleasant.

Top 13 things that make people uncomfortable on flights:

1. Screaming children
2. Turbulence
3. Loud people around you
4. Delays
5. Smelly toilets
6. Unfriendly cabin crew
7. Overcrowded aisles
8. Randomly allocated seating
9. The cabin being too hot/cold
10. Busy toilets
11. Too much alcohol being served
12. Pushy cabin crew trying to sell items
13. Strong-smelling foods

A staggering 49% of Gen Z, 39% of millennials, 38% of Gen X and 40% of baby boomers are afraid to take to the skies, according to a study published last year.

And it’s safe to assume those numbers have only increased in recent months after a series of deadly collisions and scary incidents involving airplanes have occurred.

In the reverse, what truly makes passengers feel at ease when they’re cruising at 30,000 feet?

While the amenities and design of Singapore Airlines and Korean Air helped them earn the trust of anxious travelers, those comfort items are among the least important to many travelers, it turns out.

Friendly cabin crew, seat selection, interesting in-flight entertainment options, space to stand away from your seat and in-seat power outlets are the top five things travelers say make them feel more comfortable.

So passengers don’t carry on their nerves, in addition to customary baggage, follow some pro tips to help you have a calm flight, including utilizing “tactical breathing” and zoning out with handy noise-canceling headphones.

“Flying can be nerve-wracking, but the right strategies can help make the journey more relaxing,” said Cody Candee, CEO and founder of Bounce. “A little preparation goes a long way in easing anxiety.”