American Airlines Wants to Help Passengers Relax

Image: American Airlines plane. (photo via American Airlines) (Photo via American Airlines)
Image: American Airlines plane. (photo via American Airlines) (Photo via American Airlines)
Mia Taylor
by Mia Taylor
Last updated: 1:58 PM ET, Thu October 4, 2018

It's no secret that flying often involves stress and frustration.

Between never-ending lines at security checkpoints, delayed and canceled flights and the discomfort of the flying process itself (at least for those crammed into coach seats), the entire affair can sometimes be less than fun.

American Airlines, however, will soon begin offering a way to cope with some of the stress.

According to CNBC, the airline intends to start showing nature videos and providing passengers with access to material through a meditation app known as Calm.

The new programming will be available aboard most flights as of October 8, with the aim of helping keep travelers relaxed, CNBC reported.

The nature videos are to be played during boarding (to help set the mood as you're struggling to cram your luggage under a seat or in an overhead bin.)

Calm's meditations and other content meanwhile, will be available during the flight. Passengers can also watch the new meditation offerings on personal devices.

The Calm app includes such things as guided meditations, bedtime stories (perhaps aimed at the children you're flying with) and photos and sounds from nature. As for the Calm channel on your seatback, it will also have some of the content that's on the app, including Sleep Stories that are delivered in calm tones with a backdrop of waterfall sounds.

What could be more soothing than that?

There's still more. Calm also offers three exclusive audio sessions designed to address the specific stresses associated with flying. There are breathing exercises, a Relax and Release option that aims to help ease anxiety and a guided meditation.

While American may be Calm's first airline partner, other airlines, such as United and Delta, offer similar programming from a competitor known as Headspace.


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Mia Taylor

Mia Taylor

Senior Editor

Mia Taylor is an award-winning journalist who has two decades of experience. Most recently she worked as a staff writer for America's largest digital publisher DotdashMeredith, where she contributed stories on a daily basis to four of the company's most iconic brands - Parents,Real Simple, Better Homes & Gardens, and Health. Her work has also appeared in Travel + Leisure, The Boston Globe, The San Diego UnionTribune, Westways Magazine, Fortune, and more.

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