Turbulence: Why nervous fliers like me may now decide never to board an aircraft again

“I’m firmly in the incredibly anxious/sweaty palms/grip-the-armrest category.”

Who can blame any nervous flier from deciding to never step foot inside a plane again after hearing the news of death and injury onboard a flight from Heathrow to Singapore that was hit by turbulence?

Those casualties appear to have been among unsecured passengers who were thrown around as the aircraft pitched and then dropped suddenly. A 73-year-old British man died from a possible heart attack and many others were injured, seven critically, according to the general manager of Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport, where the stricken flight was diverted.

Severe turbulence of this nature is pretty rare. The odd bump and undulation, however, is something that all of us who have flown will have encountered at some point. It’s not terribly pleasant though I am always surprised that some fliers find it a thrill. I’m firmly in the incredibly anxious/sweaty palms/grip-the-armrest category. Always have been. Not that my flying experience is very extensive. In fact, it rests at two extremes.

A Singapore Airlines flight from Heathrow Airport to Singapore 'encountered severe turbulence'.

I’ve visited the States on three occasions, two of them involving additional interconnecting flights and additional palm sweating. At the other extreme, the last time I flew - a decade ago now - was on a two-minute hop connecting the Orkney islands of Westray and Papa Westray. It holds the record as the world’s shortest scheduled flight, at just two minutes. The day I boarded the little twin-propeller ten-seater it took two minutes and 32 seconds to complete its journey, going into a headwind. I got the ferry back.

Flying, we are reliably informed, is incredibly safe. And no doubt it is. Particularly when compared with travelling by car, cycle or even walking across the road. But, despite those assurances, some of us will find any reason not to visit that big building marked “Terminal”. Or will decide to opt for any alternative means of transport. I’ve visited much of mainland Europe over the years, and always by road or rail. My US jaunts - couldn’t stretch to an ocean liner, unfortunately - involved much alcohol and pill-taking.

Perhaps the latest news of a safe return of an aircraft following an encounter with bad turbulence - the clear air variety can strike with zero warning - may reassure some. The chances of a modern jet being downed by turbulence are absolutely miniscule.

Others, like me, might feel that all the nerves, anxiety and trepidation is just too much to bear. Why go through it all only to spend a fortnight in the sun sweating over the return leg?

Scott Reid is a business journalist at The Scotsman, and very occasional flier