Debbie Adamson overcomes 17‑year flight phobia with BTS playlist

Debbie Adamson, a 67‑year‑old resident of Southampton, United Kingdom, stopped flying after a traumatic flight from Budapest in her student years and avoided air travel for 17 years. In 2025 she decided to confront the fear, motivated by her 40th wedding anniversary, and received support from a pilot friend and an online Facebook group.

She created a “bullet‑proof” playlist of BTS songs, which she listened to on test flights to Orlando, USA, and Santorini, Greece. The music helped her manage sensory overload and rationalise the anxiety, allowing her to complete the journeys without panic.

Adamson says the playlist “kept my mind calm and proved to me that I could fly again.” Her story highlights how music and community support can aid people with severe aerophobia.