18 A-List Celebrities Who Can’t Fly: The Shocking Stories Of Aviophobia And How They Cope In 2025

The world of A-list celebrities often conjures images of private jets, spontaneous international travel, and a life lived above the clouds. Yet, beneath the glamorous veneer of global stardom, a surprising number of Hollywood’s elite and music industry icons share a common, debilitating struggle: an intense fear of flying, clinically known as aviophobia or aerophobia. This phobia, which can range from mild anxiety to a complete refusal to board an aircraft, forces these jet-setters to adopt extreme and often challenging methods to manage their demanding careers. As of December 2025, the stories of how these famous individuals confront their fear remain a compelling testament to the power of phobias, even for those who seem to have everything.

For someone whose career demands constant global movement, a fear of flying is more than just an inconvenience—it's a significant professional obstacle. The following list reveals the biggest names who battle this anxiety, from those who have overcome a life-altering trauma to others who simply refuse to set foot on a plane, showcasing that even fame and fortune cannot shield you from deep-seated psychological fears. Their stories offer a relatable glimpse into a struggle that affects millions worldwide.

The Plane Crash Survivor: Travis Barker's Biography and Triumph Over Trauma

The journey of Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker with aviophobia is perhaps the most well-known and harrowing example of how a traumatic event can cement a fear of flying. His story is one of survival, resilience, and, recently, a monumental triumph over a decade-long phobia.

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Travis Barker: A Short Biography

• Full Name: Travis Landon Barker
• Born: November 14, 1975 (Age 50 as of 2025)
• Occupation: Musician, Songwriter, Record Producer
• Known For: Drummer for Blink-182, Transplants, +44, and his reality TV presence.
• Spouse: Kourtney Kardashian (m. 2022)
• Phobia Origin: Surviving a deadly 2008 plane crash.

Barker's fear was rooted in a catastrophic event in September 2008. His private jet crashed during takeoff in South Carolina, killing four people and leaving Barker and his friend, Adam "DJ AM" Goldstein, with severe burns. The trauma was so profound that Barker refused to fly for 13 years, opting instead for lengthy bus and ship travel for all tours and appearances.

His breakthrough only came in 2021, when his wife, Kourtney Kardashian, encouraged him to take his first flight since the crash. This monumental step, a flight to Cabo San Lucas, marked a public and personal victory over his aerophobia, proving that even the most deeply ingrained post-traumatic fears can be conquered with support and determination.

Hollywood's High-Flyers Who Hate the Heights

For actors and actresses, international travel is a non-negotiable part of the job, yet many of the biggest names in cinema have confessed to battling severe jet-set anxiety. Their coping mechanisms range from intensive therapy to relying on rail and road travel for long distances.

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The A-List Aviophobes and Their Stories

• Jennifer Aniston: The Friends star has spoken openly about her fear, which she attributes to a particularly turbulent flight. She has stated that the moment of takeoff is what truly scares her, a common manifestation of aviophobia.
• Whoopi Goldberg: One of the most famous examples, Goldberg's fear stems from witnessing a mid-air collision in 1978. For decades, she refused to fly, traveling exclusively by private bus across the United States, a massive logistical undertaking for her career.
• Megan Fox: The actress revealed that she has a deep fear of flying, which she manages by listening to Britney Spears. She believes she is not meant to die while listening to a Britney Spears album, using this unique ritual as a form of distraction and mental anchor.
• Jennifer Lawrence: After experiencing extreme turbulence on a flight, the Oscar-winning actress developed a significant fear of flying. She has discussed how the anxiety affects her travel schedule and requires her to employ coping strategies.
• Colin Farrell: The Irish actor has an intense dislike for flying, famously calling airplanes "highly unnatural." He has admitted to taking medication to help calm his nerves during flights.
• Sandra Bullock: Her fear is reportedly linked to a near-death experience in a private jet accident in 2000, which has made her extremely reluctant to fly commercially or privately.
• Nick Jonas: The musician and actor confessed in a 2024 interview that he "hates flying," an admission that surprises many fans given his constant travel schedule with the Jonas Brothers.
• Jennifer Connelly: The Academy Award-winning actress has shared that she also suffers from aerophobia, a challenge for her globetrotting career.

Music Icons and Cultural Figures Who Avoid Air Travel

The music industry demands relentless touring, making a fear of flying a career-defining obstacle. Several legendary and contemporary musicians have had to drastically alter their touring schedules or travel methods to accommodate their intense phobia.

Stars Who Chose the Road (or the Sea)

• David Bowie: The late, legendary musician famously developed a deep aversion to flying. For much of his career, particularly during the 1970s, he traveled exclusively by boat and train for his international tours, a logistical nightmare that speaks volumes about his fear.
• Fat Joe: The New Jersey-based rapper struggled with a severe fear of flying for years. He managed to conquer his phobia with the help of what he humorously referred to as "liquid courage" and therapy, allowing him to resume international touring.
• DJ Khaled: The producer and social media personality has admitted to having a fear of flying and is known for often traveling by bus for long-distance commitments, preferring to stay grounded whenever possible.
• Ben Affleck: The actor and filmmaker developed his fear of flying at a young age, reportedly around nine years old, after a difficult unattended flight. This early experience has continued to influence his travel choices throughout his adult life.
• R. Kelly: The controversial recording artist confessed to having an intense fear of flying, stating he had not been on a plane for several years at one point in his career, relying on ground transportation for his movements.
• Miley Cyrus: The pop star has shared that she experiences significant anxiety related to flying, often making international travel a stressful ordeal.
• Sean Bean: Known for his roles in Game of Thrones and Lord of the Rings, the English actor reportedly prefers to travel by train and road whenever possible to avoid air travel.
• Liz McClarnon: The singer from the girl group Atomic Kitten turned down major singing opportunities, including one for the Queen of England, because of her debilitating aerophobia.
• Shemp Howard: Even in classic Hollywood, the fear was present. The original Three Stooges member reportedly refused to fly, forcing the comedy troupe to rely on constant road travel for their national tours.

Understanding Aviophobia: The Psychological Entity

The celebrity stories highlight the reality of aviophobia, a specific phobia that is not a fear of crashing, but often a fear of being out of control in a confined space, or a reaction to a past traumatic flight experience (like for Whoopi Goldberg or Travis Barker).

The term aerophobia is often used interchangeably with aviophobia and involves an excessive, irrational fear of air travel. For those with jet-set anxiety, the anticipation of the flight can be as debilitating as the flight itself, leading to panic attacks, dizziness, and nausea.

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Many famous individuals manage their fear through various coping mechanisms. These strategies, which are also available to the public, include:

• Medication: The use of anti-anxiety drugs like Xanax, as mentioned by Travis Barker, is a common solution to manage acute panic during a flight.
• Distraction Techniques: Megan Fox's method of listening to specific music is a form of distraction, creating a mental safety blanket.
• Exposure Therapy: This involves gradual exposure to flying, often starting with simply being near a plane, then sitting in one, and finally taking short flights. Travis Barker's decision to fly again, supported by his wife, is a form of real-world exposure.
• Therapy and Courses: Many airlines and private organizations offer specialized courses to help individuals overcome their fear of flying through education about aviation safety and cognitive restructuring.

Ultimately, the experiences of these globally recognized figures prove that aviophobia is a powerful, non-discriminatory condition. While their fame allows them the luxury of private buses and extensive road travel, their struggle with the fear itself is a deeply human and relatable challenge.