Suddenly developed a fear of flying!

This is a strange one for me. Throughout my adult life I’ve travelled on planes, usually 3-4 times a year and become a very competent flier; by the end of my 20’s I had no anxiety about flying whatsoever and actually became quite bored of it and it felt too easy if that makes sense?

Now, fast forward to age 35 and I’ve booked a holiday (in 6 months time) and I’m absolutely terrified of the upcoming flights. There are a few reasons for this however:

1. I haven’t flown for 6 years (had a couple of holidays booked during the Pandemic that were cancelled and never rearranged, then got busy getting married and starting a family)

2. In the past I’ve travelled with friends and ex-girlfriends who’ve not been nervous fliers, this time I’ll be travelling with my wife and our children (wife is a nervous flier and children haven’t flown before)

3. I recently had a massive panic attack on an overcrowded train, almost to the point of fainting!

Recently I’ve been having sleepless nights thinking about the flight. All I can think about is the plane door closing, me having a massive panic attack like the one on the train and my wife and kids panicking and the whole experience just being pure chaos. I’m the experienced flier in the family and the man of the house, I feel a responsibility to be calm and in control for their sakes but I can’t help feeling I’m going to fail in that duty.

Has anyone else ever experienced anything similar and been able to overcome it? Or do you have any tips for staying calm on a plane in general? I’ve never had to even think about it before as I’ve always been quite comfortable with flying. As I mentioned previously the flight is in 6 months time and I want to be calm and in control when the time comes. Any advice would be massively appreciated! My children are aged 6 and 3.