An airline has celebrated its 150th 'Fearless Flyer' course, which helps people nervous about planes overcome their fear.

The experience, which is run by easyJet and takes off from Gatwick Airport, helps people scared of flying - or aerophobes - become more comfortable with flying on an airliner.

The 150th flight also coincided with the programme welcoming its 11,000th participant, with crew on the flight and the team behind the scheme applauding the nervous flyers as they took to the skies in comfort.

The Argus: Marc Carlton with the crew onboard the flightMarc Carlton with the crew onboard the flight (Image: EasyJet)

Marc Carlton, from Brighton, was the landmark participant on the Gatwick course. He said: "I hadn't flown for 25 years when I decided to join the easyJet Fearless Flyer programme.

"The online course teaches you about the technical aspects of flying and just how safe a form of transport it really is. The psychological part of the course teaches you that fear is a choice and that fear can be deleted by replacing negative thought patterns with positive thoughts and beliefs.

"The fear gradually dissipates. I'm delighted to be flying again and looking forward to holidaying overseas."

The course is divided into three main parts, which build up to the big moment - when the passengers set foot on an easyJet plane and take to the skies, many for the first time.

This includes easyJet captains and phobia experts explaining what the future flyers will expect, and techniques on how to manage nerves.

This is followed by an online session where passengers can take part in a Q&A with phobia expert Lawrence Leyton alongside an easyJet pilot.

They then take to the skies on a one-hour experience flight, where they can put their newfound skills to the test.

Over the last ten years, the course has established itself as a leader in helping aerophobes take control of their fears - offering the scheme from Gatwick, Luton, Bristol, Manchester, Edinburgh and Belfast airports, with prices starting from £89 per person.

The Argus: The 150th fearless flyers groupThe 150th fearless flyers group (Image: EasyJet)

Mark Wein, course director for the Feareless Flying scheme, said: "We are incredibly proud to have delivered 150 easyJet Fearless Flyer courses over the past decade.

"As an ex-phobic myself, to have personally seen more than 11,000 people with a fear of flying successfully take the skies fearlessly is a hugely rewarding experience.

"We regularly receive messages from our Fearless Flyers telling us about their family reunions, amazing holidays and even career opportunities that were made possible because they overcame their fears.

"We look forward to the next 150 courses as we continue to help people achieve their goal of becoming Fearless Flyers.”

Future fearless flyers can take to the skies on Sunday, June 18 from Gatwick Airport.