NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) -- Whether you're an experienced traveler or a first-time passenger on a plane, flying can be a stressful experience, especially during one of the busiest travel periods of the year: Labor Day weekend.

According to travel guide Locals Insider, with the potential for delays and cancellations, safety incidents, and rising airfare costs, air travel has become even more unpredictable and flight-related anxiety has taken off.

In order to determine which cities are home to the most anxious flyers, Locals Insider surveyed more than 1,100 U.S. travelers across 30 major metro areas, asking them about their nerves before flying, how early they arrive at the airport, and whether airfare prices add to their stress levels. The responses were used to rank each city based on the number of residents who voiced their anxiety about air travel, whether it's fear of crashing, flying solo, or general pre-travel jitters.

Based on the study, Nashville ranked No. 3 among cities with the most anxious flyers. In addition, 78% of Nashville travelers reportedly said they're most afraid of turbulence, 67% said they have trouble sleeping the night before a flight, and 72% said recent safety-related events have increased their anxiety about flying.

"Despite its laid-back Southern vibe, Nashville residents report being stressed out when it comes to flying," Locals Insider wrote. "The city’s growing popularity as a travel hub may play a role, with increased flight volume and tourist traffic potentially raising the stakes for anxious travelers."

The travel guide's full list of 20 cities with the most anxious flyers is included below:

1. Miami
2. Philadelphia
3. Nashville
4. San Antonio
5. Orlando
6. Charlotte
7. Las Vegas
8. New York
9. Detroit
10. Cincinnati
11. Dallas
12. Austin
13. Indianapolis
14. Denver
15. Houston
16. St. Louis
17. Phoenix
18. Tampa
19. Baltimore
20. Los Angeles

On the opposite side of the spectrum, Locals Insider said Minneapolis is home to the calmest travelers, followed by San Diego; Portland, Oregon; Washington, D.C.; and Seattle.

The study also turned up a few other findings about flight anxiety. For example, based on the nationwide survey, Locals Insider said three out of four Americans feel some level of stress or anxiety before flying, with Gen X and Gen Z reporting the highest levels of pre-flight nerves.

Furthermore, 57% of Americans said recent safety-related events increased their flying anxiety, Locals Insider reported. Among all age groups, 42% said they consistently feel anxious before a flight while 33% said they only experience pre-flight anxiety occasionally.

That stress leads to real-life consequences. According to Locals Insider's respondents, more than a fifth of Americans have canceled a trip and a third have avoided flying altogether due to flight anxiety. In addition, 57% of Americans reported struggling to sleep the night before a flight.

Based on the study, Locals Insider said $540.21 is the average tipping point where Americans reported starting to feel the financial stress from airfare, but that's well above the national average cost of a domestic round-trip ticket ($397.12).

Locals Insider shared the following tips for reducing flying anxiety:

• Arrive early: Giving yourself extra time helps you decrease stress and avoid last-minute panic.
  • Based on the survey, Nashville flyers typically show up at the airport one hour and 53 minutes before their scheduled departure time. However, the Transportation Security Administration encourages travelers to arrive at least two hours before domestic flights and three hours before international flights.
• Prepare ahead of time: Packing the day before helps you avoid obsessive checking at the last minute.
• Breathe deeply: This activates the body’s relaxation response.
• Stay distracted: Bring along some form of entertainment -- like music, a podcast, or a good book -- that will keep your mind occupied.
• Skip the drinks: While alcohol may take the edge off initially, it can actually worsen anxiety in the air.

To learn more about the methodology and results of Locals Insider's study, follow this link.

News Source : https://www.wkrn.com/news/local-news/nashville/nashville-among-top-3-cities-with-most-anxious-flyers-study/