During a night flight over New York City, a passenger sitting by the window was stunned by what she saw outside, branding it "an experience I didn't know I needed."
In a viral TikTok video shared earlier this month by @tiakarras, which has gained over 100,500 views so far, the young woman shares footage of the views from her flight, which, according to internet users, looks like a scene from Wicked.
"Flying over NYC at night when the clouds are setting low, the sky scarpers are peaking through, and the city lights are illuminating the clouds from below," reads layover text in the clip, which shows a layer of colorful clouds covering up the city's skyline.
"An experience I didn't know I needed," she says in the caption.
Flying when it's rainy or cloudy can be scary for some, but it is safe, according to the Pilot Institute. Their website explains that clouds are usually not an issue for planes unless they create unsafe levels of visibility during take off, taxiing, or landing.
Fear of flying, also known as aerophobia, is very common in the United States. According to the Cleveland Clinic, it affects over 25 million adults nationwide. This fear is a type of anxiety disorder most common in people between the ages of 17 and 34.
It can cause panic attacks before or during a flight. Its symptoms include chills, dizziness and light-headedness, excessive sweating, heart palpitations, nausea, shortness of breath, trembling or shaking, and upset stomach or indigestion.
This phobia can be addressed with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and exposure therapy guided by a professional. You can also reduce its effects by avoiding things that make anxiety worse, sharing your fears and anxieties with a support system of family members or friends, and talking to your healthcare provider about your concerns.
TikTok users were just as astonished by the views out the plane window as the poster was.
A stock image shows the night sky outside of a plane window.A stock image shows the night sky outside of a plane window.getty imagesA commenter named Celeste wrote, "This is incredible."
TikTok user Alange245 said: "I thought this was a scene in wicked lol."
Commenter Candiii wrote: "Looks like cotton candy."
And TikToker Misha Safron said, "That's why I always pick a window seat."
Newsweek reached out to @tiakarras for comment via TikTok. We could not verify the details of the case.
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