Fear of flying is a fear of being on an airplane or other flying vehicle, such as a helicopter, while in flight. It is also sometimes referred to as aerophobia, aviatophobia or aviophobia.

Fear of flying may be a distinct phobia in itself or it may be an indirect combination of one or more other phobias related to flying, such as claustrophobia (a fear of enclosed spaces) or acrophobia (a fear of heights).
It may have other causes as well, such as agoraphobia (especially the type that has to do with having a panic attack in a place they can't escape from).
Fear of flying is a symptom rather than a disease and different causes may bring it about in different individuals.

The fear of flying receives more attention than many other phobias because air travel is often difficult for people to avoid and because the fear is widespread, affecting a significant minority of the population.
A fear of flying may prevent a person from going on vacations or visiting family and friends, and it can cripple the career of a businessperson by preventing them from traveling on work-related business.