Most of the time flyers have fears about specific parts of air travel. If they only had more knowledge about these parts, they would be able to conquer the fears in a small amount of time.

For 99.9% of flyers there is only one legitimate fear: turbulence. Planes can handle turbulence without batting an eyelash, but humans in the cabin have problems when they don't have their seatbelt fastened. You wear your seatbelt in the car, so you should always wear it on the plane. That way when the plane starts jumping around, you will stay securely in your seat and will not get injured by falling, or bumping your head on the ceiling.

Phobics are afraid when the plane flies through severe weather. If you can't see out your window, how can the pilot fly? Pilots spend countless hours in simulators training to fly using instruments alone. They do not need to see, so weather is rarely a factor.

What if the plane is struck by lightning? This happens to planes from time to time. Some times it is such a non-event that the flight crew doesn't even know it has happened until after they get back to the hanger for inspection. 

What about maintenance? Airplanes are the most carefully maintained objects in the world. Just check out the FAA's rigorous maintenance records requirements. The daily safety checks are too exhaustive to go into here. Bottom line: Don't worry.

What about the crew? They smile like idiots. Those aren't waiters and waitresses up there. Every single member of the flight crew has gotten hundreds of hours of training. They are trained in first aid, CPR and how to handle every emergency the FAA can think of. 

What are the odds of an accident? According to statisticians you're 20 times more likely to get struck by lightning. (FYI, according to the National Center for Health Statistics, an American's odds in 1990 of being struck by lightning were about 2.8 million to 1. Feeling better?)