You actually already answered your question! Most people who are afraid of flying are afraid of the loss of control. You're giving two pilots you've never met control over "driving" the vehicle you're in, 35,000 feet in the air. Statistics about how safe flying is, however true (and they are true), don't seem to do much to counteract that basic truth.
When I was much younger I was afraid to fly. What worked for me was to take back a certain amount of control by telling myself that I chose to get on this airplane instead of staying home or driving. Having chosen to go, I also needed to choose to accept whatever happened on that flight. Kind of Dr. Phil's I chose the action, so I accepted the consequences.
Since flying actually isn't that dangerous, this strategy worked well for me, since the more I flew (instead of avoiding my fear), the more I became accustomed to all the routine little noises and bumps airplanes make all the time. It really is true - pilots and flight attendants wouldn't want to come to work every day if turbulence was actually any big deal. I learned that bumpy air is just like going through ripples in water. Totally normal and something pilots aren't remotely worried about.
I don't take flying lightly - I stick to major carriers and avoid commuter planes - but I fly all the time now and am totally over my old fears. I really feel strongly that facing my fears was much better for me than running from them, and a lot of years later, I've had my share of bumpy flights, but I've never been in real danger. Good luck!
