Travis Barker’s Decade-Long Journey: The Unbelievable Ways He Toured the World Without Ever Boarding a Plane
Ever sat glued to a tiny airplane seat—maybe clutching a half-stale pretzel—wondering if you’re ever really in control up there among the clouds? Imagine that anxiety tuned up to 11, only you’re not just venturing into mild turbulence—you’re Travis Barker, and you’ve actually survived a plane crash straight out of a fever dream. I can’t even get on a merry-go-round without feeling slightly existential, and here Barker was, one of just two survivors pulled from flaming wreckage, doused in trauma, and somehow expected to just, what—“hop” back on the next flight like nothing happened? Ha! Not quite . For thirteen long years, the Blink-182 drummer became the world’s most prolific train, boat, and bus passenger, weaving his career across continents—no wings required . It’s a masterclass in adapting to fear, commitment, and maybe just a smidge of stubbornness, all of which might make you rethink whining the next time your flight’s delayed by thirty minutes . How did he pull off this high-wire act of determination, love, and unfiltered panic? The full saga will have you questioning the limits of human resilience—with a few surprises along the way . LEARN MORE
Travis Barker refused to fly for over 13 years after being one of just two people to survive a deadly jet crash, vastly adapting his life and career to accommodate the fear.
On 19 September 2008, Barker was travelling from South Carolina to California on board a private jet alongside three other passengers when a tyre burst during take-off, leading to the aircraft’s pilots attempting to abort take-off. Due to the high speed at which the jet was travelling, the plane overran the runway, crashed through a boundary fence and skidded over a nearby motorway before bursting into flames on an embankment.
Barker and fellow passenger Adam “DJ AM” Goldstein were the only survivors, escaping from the blaze through a door and suffering extensive burns to their bodies.
The incident caused the Blink-182 drummer to develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and a severe fear of flying, which he explores in his upcoming documentary, Travis Barker: Louder Than Fear.
How did Travis Barker travel internationally after the plane crash?
For the following 13 years after the crash, Barker refused to set foot on an aircraft, as he struggled to come to terms with the incident.
This may come as a surprise to many, as Barker has travelled to Europe to tour with Blink-182 several times, notably appearing at Reading and Leeds in 2010, 2014 and an extensive 20th anniversary tour in 2012.
A schedule which he adapted by taking trains, buses and boats in order to avoid flying.
The adjustment was revealed by bandmate Mark Hoppus, who told the BBC in 2011 that Barker had committed to the lengthy journey in order to join the band overseas.
“For Travis to get over here [the UK] he takes a bus from Los Angeles to New York gets on a boat then gets on a bus and travels like that,” he said.
“It shows the will that we have to come and play over here that Travis is willing to get on a boat for a week after being in a bus for three days – just to play some shows.”
Barker would suffer burns to 65 percent of his body and needed 27 different surgeries (National Transportation Safety Board)
The crash killed passengers Charles Monroe Still Jr. and Chris Baker as well as pilots Sarah Lemmon and James Bland (National Transportation Safety Board)
Barker himself revealed the gruelling reality of touring without flying during an interview with The Daily Star, revealing that it took him 17 days to get from Los Angeles to London – a route which takes less than 11 hours on a plane.
“I take a tour bus everywhere when we’re in the States, but if we’re going to do a tour of Europe then I take the Queen Mary boat across to the UK,” he explained.
“I’m on a bus for six days, travelling from LA to New York, and then I’m spending eleven days on a boat.”
However, the unconventional method of travel did mean that the 50-year-old was forced to drop out of the band’s 2013 Australia tour, as it was not possible for alternate travel arrangements to be made.
“I still haven’t gotten over the horrific events that took place the last time I flew when my plane crashed and four people were killed, two being my best friends,” he wrote in a Facebook statement at the time.
“I gave the band my blessing to take another drummer if they still wanted to do the tour without me.
Travis Barker and DJ Adam Goldstein were the only survivors from the crash (M. Tran/FilmMagic)
Has Travis Barker flown since his 2008 plane crash?
While Barker notes that he’d ‘never stepped foot on a plane since the crash’ in the documentary trailer, he has since been able to overcome his fear of flying.
Barker was able to brave flying again in 2021 alongside his wife Kourtney Kardashian.
In 2023, he revealed that he had since flown 30 times, crediting Kardashian for supporting him.
“Wouldn’t be able to tour or enjoy life again the way I do without the healing love of my amazing wife. I love you @kourtneykardash,” he wrote on Threads at the time.
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