Thoughts everyone who's afraid of flying knows too well

It's thought that as many as one in 10 people have such a serious fear of flying that they won't get on a plane - but what about those that are brave enough to get on board before they start panicking?

Once you're flying through the sky there are a number of thoughts that probably fill your head:where are the emergency exits? What happens if a bird flies into the plane's engine? Why are the stewards and stewardesses sitting down all of a sudden?

See also: How to get over your fear of flying

And what about all the germs that are floating around once you're in the air and breathing all that recycled oxygen in? According to Ask the Pilot, the idea that aeroplanes are filled with dirty recycled air is actually a common myth.

See also: Where is the safest seat on a plane if it crashes?​

It says that if you're flying on a modern plane (which nearly everyone will be) then the air you're breathing will be a mix of both fresh and recirculated air.

If you're looking to combat your fear of flying here are some facts that might put you at ease: Statistics show the odds of dying in a plane crash are one in 11 million and you're more likely to die on your way to the airport than on a plane.

But there are a few things you really should worry about. You might want to keep an eye on where you put your elbows when you're travelling, for example, as it was recently revealed that the armrests are the dirtiest place on a plane (yes, even dirtier than the loos!). Now that really is worth thinking about...

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