Flying fears haunt CEOs and top bosses too

Shaji Thomas Area director of sales and marketing – Mumbai, Pune

& Goa, Hyatt International South West Asia, Limited In 1999, I was on a flight to Detroit and just before reaching, there was a tornado warning. The airport would not accept arrivals so after an hour-and-a-half of circling, the pilot announced that we were running out of fuel so he would be landing in an airport outside Detroit. The next 20 minutes saw me recite the rosary, read the emergency landing procedure and think about all the good times. Thankfully, we landed safely.

Sabine Heller CEO and president ASmallWorld

I remember once being on an old 1970s Russian plane, owned and operated by Cubana, and the entire cabin filled up with what appeared to be thick white smoke. I later learned it was anti-freeze. Landing into tiny and mountainous airstrips in places like St Barths and Lukla airport in Nepal can also be legitimately terrifying

Renu Oberoi, jewellery designer Mahesh Notandass Fine Jewellery

I don’t have a fear of flying. However, there was one scary flight to Mauritius. The plane suddenly dropped 300 ft. But everything was under control within seconds.

G Ramachandran director & promoter Gold’s Gym India

There is no fear of flying, but I do get concerned if there is turbulence, especially on a long-distance flight. I think being composed when experiencing turbulence and hoping it passes off quickly really helps, as it did for me during a night flight to London.