Travis Barker Credits Kourtney Kardashian With Helping Him Overcome His Fear of Flying

When Travis Barker and Kourtney Kardashian started dating in early 2021, the 47-year-old drummer hadn’t been in an airplane since September 19, 2008. On that day, he was involved in a fiery plane crash in South Carolina during takeoff – Barker and his DJ friend Adam Goldstein were the only survivors. 

Fast forward to August 2021, when Travis Barker finally overcame his fear of flying after 13 years of avoiding planes at all cost – and he has his then-fiance, now-wife to thank. With Kourtney Kardashian by his side, the cute couple boarded a jet to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico for a much-needed romantic getaway. 

The couple have been flying ever since and while he still appears uneasy when on a plane, it’s something he can tolerate – so long as the love of his life is there beside him. And for the first time since getting on a plane for the first time in 13 years, Barker is opening up about how that momentous day came about. 

RELATED: Kourtney Kardashian Gives Travis Barker the Comfort and Support Needed to Start Flying Again

In an exclusive interview with GQ, Travis Barker explained what life was like before Kourtney came along. Instead of facing his fears head-on, he decided to spend years avoiding plane rides (even when on tour with his band) and avoiding the dating scene. Unfortunately, he felt like he was marginalizing himself. 

Then he started dating Kourtney, who spends a majority of her year in a plane traveling around the world. “She’s been everywhere beautiful in the world that I’ve never even heard of,” Barker told GQ earlier this month. “I was like, ‘If you ever want me to fly with you, just tell me 8 to 10 hours before,’” he continued. 

When Kourtney finally asked him to travel with her, he immediately tried to get out of it by telling her she can spend the night at her place – an unusual occurrence for the couple. Of course, Kourtney wasn’t about to back down and, instead, convinced Travis Barker to accompany her on a vacation to Cabo. 

“She’s like, ‘I’m gonna spend the night with you. I’m staying the night with you and we’re gonna go to the airport.’ She just knew, and she stuck by me and toughed it out. And it was the best flight. And I wasn’t scared once,” he said. It was a major step for the Blink-182 drummer and one he’s glad he finally took. 

Travis Barker is Loving His New Life With His New Wife

Since the couple’s trip to Cabo San Lucas, Travis Barker and Kourtney Kardashian have air traveled to several destinations. Their second trip was to Italy in late August 2021 to prepare for their wedding, which took place on May 15, 2022. They’ve also traveled to Venice, Paris, and other dreamy, romantic locations.

Now, Barker can’t wait to continue traveling the world with his new wife. Even before the plane crash, he would only travel when on tour or doing a show, but now he just travels to travel. “I’m like, ‘I get to go and just, like, have fun?’ I didn’t know that existed,” he told GQ in the interview, published on November 17.

Just two weeks ago, Barker celebrated his 47th birthday during a Tennessee getaway with Kourtney Kardashian. They spent time in a beautiful cabin located in a tree-covered woodland, sharing pictures of them going on walks and even doing a little bit of rock climbing. It seemed like the perfect US getaway. 

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Kourtney Kardashian Still Has Her Son’s Long Braid in Her Bedside Drawer: “I Smell It Often”

While the two haven’t had any kids together, they do have a blended family that they’re absolutely in love with. Kourtney has three kids – Mason, Penelope, and Reign – from her past relationship with Scott Disick, while Travis has two children and one step-child from his past relationship with Shanna Moakler.