Jennifer Aniston did a strange ritual before boarding a flight. How did the Friends actress use hypnosis to overcome her fear of flying?

Jennifer Aniston may be one of Hollywood’s most renowned stars, but flying has long been a different story for the Friends actress. While she enjoys travelling to beautiful destinations, getting there has not always been easy. Aniston has openly spoken about her fear of flying and the unusual ritual she once followed before boarding a plane.

In a recent conversation with Travel + Leisure, the actress opened up about the superstition she had developed around air travel and how she is now trying to move past it. Hypnosis, she revealed, has become part of that process, helping her let go of the habits she once depended on to feel more comfortable before a flight.

Jennifer Aniston had a strange pre-flight ritual

Aniston has described herself as someone with an extreme fear of flying. For her, the anxiety did not simply disappear when she reached the airport. She had developed a very specific routine that she would follow before stepping onto an aircraft.


According to Aniston, she would tap the outside of the plane with her right hand before boarding. She would then make sure that her right foot was the one she used to step onto the plane.




The ritual may sound unusual, but it was something Aniston had come to rely on when dealing with her fear. Rather than being about a lucky number or a particular object, her superstition became connected to the process of getting onto the aircraft.

The actress has spoken about her fear of flying before, including a frightening incident in 2019. During an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, she recalled a flight to Mexico with Courteney Cox when the aircraft experienced a problem shortly after take-off. The plane eventually returned to the airport after debris from a wheel was found on the runway. Everyone landed safely, and the trip continued the following day.

How hypnosis helped her break the habit

Aniston is now taking a different approach to her flight anxiety. She told Travel + Leisure that she has been trying hypnosis, which encouraged her to stop relying on the superstitions she had developed.

The actress said, "But I have been doing some hypnosis lately, and one of the requirements is to remove all of those superstitions. I have not been doing the right hand, right foot, and now it's shockingly good!"

Her approach shows how a small personal habit can become closely connected to anxiety. While the ritual may have given her a sense of control at the time, Aniston is now learning to travel without depending on it.

She also has other techniques to make long flights easier. Once she is on board, the actress turns to breathing exercises and meditation to stay calm. She recommends listening to a good meditation during the journey and also makes sure to get up, walk around and stretch when she can.

Why celebrity superstitions are so fascinating

Jennifer Aniston's unusual pre-flight habit is one example of the many personal rituals celebrities develop around work, travel and everyday life. Some are linked to fear or anxiety, while others are associated with luck, success or simply feeling prepared.

For actors and performers, rituals can become part of getting ready for an important day. A particular song, meal, prayer, outfit or warm-up routine may become something they repeat before a performance. Even when there is no logical connection between the habit and the outcome, repeating it can provide familiarity before a stressful moment.

Lucky clothes and accessories are another common form of celebrity superstition. An item worn during an important event or successful project can take on sentimental value, leading someone to associate it with good fortune.

Numbers and dates can also become personal favourites. Some people attach special meaning to particular numbers and may notice or choose them repeatedly when making decisions.