Travel writer touts turbulence-forecast tool to ease fear of flying

Having a fear of flying can turn travel into a stress-filled ordeal, and many travelers have tried a range of methods—from hypnosis to speaking with cabin crew—in hopes of relief. A Travel + Leisure feature published Dec. 17, 2025, centers on a single, science-backed tool that one writer says helped her conquer the fear: learning to source and read turbulence forecasts. Stacey Leasca, a frequent traveler and writer for the outlet, says the method has allowed her to fly regularly for work despite her own anxiety.

Leasca says she relies on Turbli, a turbulence-forecast tool that combines data from official weather and aviation agencies to predict turbulence, wind and thunderstorm activity along a flight route. "I use sites like Turbli, which combines data from official weather and aviation agencies to predict the turbulence, wind, and thunderstorm activity along your flight route," she wrote. The approach is grounded in real-time and forecast information intended to set expectations and reduce the unknowns that fuel fear.

Turbli, established in 2020, notes that fearful flyers are frequent users. For some, the tool is a lifesaver that helps them calm down by setting the right expectations; for others, it can create additional anxiety. The nuance is acknowledged by the platform, which suggests that knowledge can both illuminate and complicate the experience for different individuals.

Medical perspective from a travel health lens accompanies the tool’s description. Dr. Bryan Bruno, medical director at Mid City TMS, a New York City-based medical center, told Travel + Leisure that using tools like Turbli to predict turbulence prompts engagement of the prefrontal cortex rather than allowing the amygdala to dominate with fear responses. "Knowledge transforms unpredictable threats into manageable variables," Bruno said. He added that the brain’s rational centers cannot be fully active while in a panic state, so predictable information can help the mind process risk more calmly. When a flier knows moderate turbulence is expected over a region like Colorado, the mind may shift away from disaster narratives and toward practical expectations.

The strategy is presented as one option among several for coping with flight anxiety. The report notes that there are other approaches to managing fear of flying, including personal strategies shared by a former flight attendant and other media pieces that highlight unconventional ideas, such as comfort foods or routines designed to ease discomfort during turbulence. While the exact effectiveness can vary by individual, health-focused travel guidance emphasizes that combining education, cognitive tools, and coping strategies can help some travelers approach flights with greater calm and control.