They may be jet setters, but many celebrities are actually afraid of flying. These actors, musicians, and directors are frank about their fears, discussing them in interviews and on social media. Some of these celebrities afraid to fly developed a phobia due to excessive travel, and other famous people were understandably scared after surviving plane crashes.
It may surprise you to see Miley Cyrus at the top of this list of celebrities afraid of flying. The pop sensation is fearless on stage, but flying to each gig pushes her personal limits. Actress Megan Fox also hates flying. "I developed that when I turned 20," she said. "All of a sudden I got really afraid to get on airplanes. I had to come up with a way to deal with it because I didn't want to have panic attacks every time I get on a plane." Her solution? Listening to Britney Spears – who, coincidentally, also appears on this list.
Several famous men also hate hopping on airplanes. Ben Affleck says that his fear of flying stems from a childhood experience flying on a plane that was struck by lightning. In 2008, musician Travis Barker survived a horrific plane crash that continues to give him anxiety when he travels.
What other stars are coping with their phobia of flight? Grab a packet of peanuts and read on to find out.
Celebrities Afraid of Flying,
Aretha Franklin
Aretha Franklin has refrained from performing in certain cities because her fear of flying makes it difficult to travel.
Ben Affleck
He may star as the often-airborne Caped Crusader, but Ben Affleck is afraid of flying. The fear stems from childhood: the superstar once flew on a plane that was struck by lightening.
Britney Spears
In spite of her memorable costume as a flight attendant in the music video for "Toxic," Britney Spears has said she gets anxious in airplanes.
Jennifer Aniston
In 2014, Jennifer Aniston told Jimmy Kimmel that she finds flying to be terrifying. She admitted that she hasn't seen many of the most beautiful places in the world because of this phobia.
Kate Winslet
Kate Winslet and her ex-husband, Sam Mendes, never flew together for fear of the plane crashing and their children being orphaned.
Megan Fox
"I developed that [a fear of flying] when I turned 20," says Megan Fox. "All of a sudden I got really afraid to get on airplanes. I had to come up with a way to deal with it because I didn't want to have panic attacks every time I get on a plane. I know for a fact it's not in my destiny to die listening to a Britney Spears album, so I always put that on in my [headphones] when I'm flying because I know it won't crash if I've got Britney on."
Miley Cyrus
Miley Cyrus is known for her bold stage presence and outspoken personality, but the pop star has shared that long flights make her nervous and edgy.
Sam Shepard
Talk about ironic. Sam Shepard, the star of astronaut flick The Right Stuff, is afraid of flying.
Shailene Woodley
In 2014, actress Shailene Woodley shared that she becomes more scared each time she steps onto an airplane. "I used to not be afraid and now I am. I’m afraid the plane is going to crash. And if it does, it does," she said.
William Shatner
Believe it or not, Captain Kirk himself, William Shatner, may be afraid of flying. He even turned down an opportunity to be among the first people blasted into space on Richard Branson's Virgin Galactic.