Have you looked at repositioning cruises? In the fall, there are transits from European ports to the US . For example, Royal Caribbean: August 26, from Copenhagen to Boston, visiting Oslo, Kristiansand, Reykjavik, Akureyri, Halifax

I assume going the long way around isn't an option? You could do a lot of it by train, iirc.

Based on my experience with phobia, I will venture that the actual duration of the flight will be less significant than you think.

Besides cruises doesn't some container/freight companies allow a few passengers on their ships? Have no idea if it is cheaper or more expensive than cruises. I've heard the crew love passengers as nothing much at all happens on board and at least it is new people to talk to.

There are no ferries between Greenland and anywhere, and no scheduled flights other than to Iceland and Denmark.

@Dorothy, thanks this is the first comprehensive list I have seen so far

@Vince: I am not aware of a definition of a "commercial flight". I mean any flight I can pay money for and fly, shared with other people to reduce the price of flight. meaning regularly scheduled charter is OK, on demand air taxi is not.

@MadHatter, long way around is an option, but I saw no direct flights Eastern Siberia -> Alaska, until I asked this question

@Johns-305, in that person description: "every minute is like having a set of hot sharp hooks going through your heart and brain + knowing you are locked in this tiny sealed space". Maybe not exactly a phobia

@Bent, option 3

And think about those cruise lines that call not just in Finnish ports but also in the Med and are reposition. The cost for that 15-day crossing could be far less expensive than land hopping, and be a fabulous trip, as they are often less than full of passengers, but are fully staffed.

@mzu The thing about phobia, even with minimal counseling, it can burn itself out very quickly. With the right technique, and 8hr flight isn't different than a 1hr flight. As a phobic myself, I am not at all sensitive to people who don't address it.

If you do end up going through Halifax, there is a ferry running between Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, and Portland Maine that's seasonal (starts in May). Just mentioning it as an option to get to the USA depending on your travel dates. It will certainly save you a bit of driving than going around through New Brunswick, and is a bit more fun IMO.

@mzu does a vehicle cabin (car/bus) or a boat/ship/ferry evoke any similar problems ?

@Criggie, no, only jet cabin

I would consider minimizing the time of conscious flight by trying to get a prescription for a good sleeping pill.

What about staying home?

If you drive to Naukan, it's only a 30km hop to the USA. :-)

@user58022 but the closest acceptable destination reachable from Shannon could be farther from Shannon than the closest acceptable destination reachable from Heathrow is from Heathrow.

Southampton, UK to New York ferry then drive to DC

@njzk2, sleeping pill might be a good option after discussion with a therapist. Thanks

@hek2mgl not an option!

@RedGrittyBrick, getting to Naukan is way more problematic then getting to Providenia or Petropavlovsk. And would most certainly involve some flight.

My plan as soon as I retire is to try to circumnavigate the planet using only trains and cruises. Repositioning cruises are awesome.

Related: Getting from Canada to Greenland without flying [duplicate). "However, more and more cruise shipping companies are choosing to include Greenland on their itineraries, whereby it is possible to begin the voyage from Iceland or go onboard at, for example, Kangerlussuaq."

See also Are there tips and tricks to overcome a fear of flying?

I somehow have the feeling that some minor airlines operating an obscure shortcut between strange places on different continents (images with small propeller planes and Mad-Max style pilots jump to my inner eye) might turn out to be less reliable than a longer flight between metropoles operated by a major company - or at least it might appear so to somone who is afraid of flight s to begin with.