aerophobia

noun

aero·​pho·​bia ˌer-ō-ˈfō-bē-ə 

: fear or strong dislike of flying : aviophobia

Studies estimate as many as 50 million Americans suffer from some degree of aerophobia.

—Andrew Tilghman

aerophobe

ˈer-ō-ˌfōb 

noun

or aerophobic

ˌer-ō-ˈfō-bik 

plural aerophobes or aerophobics

To combat anxiety, many of those nervous about air travel opt for video or audio tapes designed to relax the anxious aerophobe …

—Zlati Meyer

As a chronic aerophobic, I've taken a number of courses over the years designed to help people overcome their fear, most of them based on the idea that knowledge is power.

—Stephanie Merritt

aerophobic adjective

You can tell them flying a commercial jetliner once a year is safer than driving to work every weekday—and mortality statistics prove this. But statistics won't persuade an aerophobic person to get on a plane.

—Matthew Lubenko

Word History

Etymology

earlier, "fear of drafts or fresh air," borrowed from New Latin aërophobia, from aëro- aero- + -phobia -phobia

First Known Use

1966, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

aerophobia

noun

aero·​pho·​bia ˌar-ō-ˈfō-bē-ə, ˌer- 

1

: abnormal or excessive fear of drafts or of fresh air

2

: fear or strong dislike of flying

aerophobic

-bik 

adjective