For the following reasons, we have decided not to provide diazepam or similar medications for flight anxiety. Instead, we recommend the aviation industry-approved flight anxiety courses linked at the end of this page.
Diazepam in the UK is classified as a Class C / Schedule IV controlled drug. It is a sedative, which means it makes you sleepy and more relaxed. However, if there is an emergency during a flight, it may impair your ability to concentrate, follow instructions and react appropriately. This could have serious safety consequences for you and those around you.
Sedative drugs can make you fall asleep, but this sleep is unnatural non-REM sleep, meaning you won’t move around as much as during natural sleep. This immobility increases your risk of developing a blood clot (DVT) in the leg or even the lung. Blood clots are dangerous and can prove fatal, especially on flights longer than four hours.
While most people find benzodiazepines like diazepam sedating, a small number experience paradoxical reactions - becoming agitated, aggressive, or disinhibited. These reactions can increase anxiety, lead to unpredictable behaviour, and pose risks to both the individual and other passengers. Such behaviour could also result in legal consequences.
According to the national prescribing guidelines that doctors follow - the British National Formulary (BNF) - benzodiazepines are not permitted for the treatment of phobias, including fear of flying. Therefore, your doctor would be taking a significant legal and professional risk by prescribing diazepam for this purpose, as it would be contrary to these guidelines.
Benzodiazepines are only licensed for short-term use in a crisis related to generalised anxiety disorder (GAD). If this applies, the priority should be receiving appropriate mental health care and support, rather than undertaking air travel.
Diazepam and similar medications are classified as controlled substances and are illegal or heavily restricted in several countries. Travelling with them without proper documentation may result in the medication being confiscated, and could lead to legal issues, including fines or arrest.
Diazepam stays in your system for a considerable amount of time. Your driving may be impaired after your flight. If your job requires you to submit to random drug testing you may fail this having taken diazepam.
We understand that fear of flying is very real and can be extremely distressing. A more effective and safer approach is to address this through a structured Fear of Flying course, many of which are run by airlines. We’ve listed several recommended options below:
Easy Jet - Tel 0203 8131644
British Airways - Tel 01252 793250