Kyle Richards, the beloved star of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, has never shied away from sharing her struggles with anxiety, particularly her intense fear of flying. In a recent Amazon Live session on July 17, the reality TV icon opened up about a harrowing flight experience alongside co-star Erika Jayne that left her questioning whether she’ll ever board a plane again.
While recounting a recent trip to Arizona, Kyle described a nerve-wracking flight that tested her limits. “When you fly, when it’s that hot? Not fun. Because of the turbulence,” she shared, her voice tinged with unease. The heat was no small factor—Kyle glanced at Erika’s phone during the flight and saw a staggering 111°F displayed. “We were bouncing really hard,” she recalled, painting a vivid picture of the plane “flopping around” in the sky. Even for someone who’s worked hard to manage her aerophobia, this was a nightmare scenario.
“I’ve gone through hypnotherapy for my fear of flying, and it’s helped—I’m really a much better flyer now,” Kyle admitted. “But no, I don’t want to be flying when it’s hot and we’re bouncing like that. Nope, no, no.” The intensity of the experience has clearly left a mark, with Kyle hinting she might be done with air travel altogether.
Kyle’s battle with her fear of flying has been well-documented on RHOBH. Fans may remember her first foray into hypnotherapy during Season 1, Episode 5, back in 2010. At the time, former Housewife Lisa Vanderpump, ever the supportive friend, convinced Kyle to see hypnotherapist Tom Silver before a daunting six-hour flight to New York. Kyle, who admitted she hated the lack of control she felt while flying, was skeptical but willing to try.
In a session at her home, Silver used electrodes and guided Kyle into a trance to ease her aerophobic anxieties. “I have a feeling it’s gonna work,” Kyle said optimistically at the time. “I’m very positive.” That positivity seemed to pay off, as she later credited Silver with transforming her flying experience.
By Season 6, Kyle was confident enough to revisit hypnotherapy, this time to help fellow Housewife Eileen Davidson tackle her own “absurdly horrible” fear of flying. Kyle praised Silver, saying he “saved” her back in 2010, and hoped he could work the same magic for Eileen.
Kyle’s progress was undeniable in 2016 when she took a monumental step by sitting in the co-pilot’s chair of a private jet during a glamorous RHOBH getaway to Cabo. “I’ve come a long way with my fear of flying,” she proudly shared in a June 2016 Instagram post, a moment that felt like a triumph over her phobia. Lisa Vanderpump cheekily claimed credit in the comments, writing, “Yep, thanks to me!”
But despite these victories, the recent Arizona flight with Erika Jayne has shaken Kyle’s hard-earned confidence. The scorching heat and relentless turbulence were a stark reminder of why flying still unnerves her. While she hasn’t entirely given up on conquering her fears, this terrifying mid-air incident has left her rattled—and possibly grounded for good.
Kyle Richards’ candidness about her anxiety and her efforts to overcome it have endeared her to fans for years. Her journey—from hypnotherapy sessions to bravely sitting in the co-pilot’s seat—shows her determination to face her fears head-on. Yet, the recent “bouncing and flopping” ordeal in Arizona’s blistering skies may have pushed her to her limit.
As Kyle continues to navigate her anxieties, one thing is clear: whether she takes to the skies again or not, her openness about her struggles resonates with fans who admire her resilience. For now, it seems the Housewife’s wings may be clipped, but with Kyle’s strength, she’s sure to find a way to soar again—perhaps just not at 30,000 feet.