Jennifer Aniston Hypnotizes Away Her Fear of Flying – But Is It Really That Simple?

Jennifer Aniston is opening up about how she tackled her long-standing fear of flying, just as flight anxiety seems to be taking off (pun intended) in the news lately.

Best known for her role as Rachel Green in Friends, Aniston told Travel + Leisure that despite her love of travel, she’s struggled with what she describes as an "extreme" fear of getting on a plane. She used to rely on quirky rituals — tapping the side of the aircraft with her right palm and always stepping in with her right foot first — hoping these habits would keep the plane, and herself, safe.

But now, Aniston says, she’s finally ditched the superstitions thanks to hypnosis therapy. "I have not been doing the right hand, right foot — and now it's shockingly good!" she said, sounding genuinely surprised to be flying panic-free. It’s honestly kind of refreshing to hear that even A-listers have their own little boarding rituals.

Aniston also shared that she manages long flights with breath work, walking around the cabin, and stretching. She swears by plugging into a good meditation to make the hours cruise by.

On whether hypnosis is a true cure-all, Manhattan psychotherapist and author Jonathan Alpert weighed in. He’s worked with plenty of anxious travelers but prefers more grounded methods. "Although I do not use hypnosis, I’ve known some therapists who have had success with it," he explained. But, as he warns, hypnosis isn’t some magical fix — those don’t exactly exist, even in Hollywood.

Alpert emphasized the importance of addressing the root causes of anxiety and using proven behavioral and cognitive techniques. "If hypnosis serves as a catalyst for someone to reframe their fear and feel more in control, fine. But too often, people are looking for a quick fix instead of working to actually strengthen their mindset." In other words, you can’t just wave a magic wand (or a pocket watch) and make your fears disappear overnight.