No music lover today would think about traveling without a solid playlist. Flying by plane especially calls for a good mix, since pop music history is packed with amazing songs about flight. Here are some of our favorite picks, focusing mostly on songs that capture the thrill of flying. Listen to the best Flying Songs on Spotify.
46. Dierks Bentley – Drunk on a Plane
It used to be rock stars who wrote the wildest songs about bad behavior. These days, country artists are leading the charge. Luckily, Dierks Bentley stays far away from the cockpit.
45. Red Hot Chili Peppers – The Zephyr Song
In “The Zephyr Song,” Red Hot Chili Peppers paint a dreamy image of flying away. Anthony Kiedis’ soft vocals match the sunny lyrics perfectly. The chorus feels like catching the perfect breeze on a perfect day.
44. Bowling for Soup – Turbulence
Not to be confused with Steve Aoki’s EDM track, Bowling for Soup’s “Turbulence” uses the experience of rough air as a symbol for life’s ups and downs. The comforting line “I’ll be there for you / We can make it through” sums it up.
43. Bette Midler – Wind Beneath My Wings
Whether you’re singing it to a friend, a partner, or just for fun, Bette Midler’s classic hits the heart. Even though it’s not strictly about air travel, her passionate delivery lifts you like you’re soaring.
42. M.I.A. – Paper Planes
While it’s not about actual airplanes, M.I.A.’s smash hit “Paper Planes” fits the flight theme with its clever title and rebellious spirit.
41. Iron Maiden – Aces High
In “Aces High,” Iron Maiden dives into the Battle of Britain, telling the story of a Royal Air Force pilot. It’s a fast, pounding tribute to one of the first all-air battles in history.
40. Pearl Jam – Given to Fly
Flying often symbolizes freedom, and Pearl Jam nails it in “Given to Fly.” The song slowly builds into a huge, soaring chorus, creating the feeling of lifting into the sky.
39. The Lionel Hampton Quintet – Flying Home
Back in 1957, could planes even go this fast? “Flying Home” captures that speed with a swing-era twist. Lionel Hampton’s famous instrumental version races ahead, but Ella Fitzgerald’s vocal take is just as exhilarating.
38. Kenny Loggins – Danger Zone
This heart-racing track from the Top Gun soundtrack is pure adrenaline. It mirrors the chaos and excitement of taking off and breaking through the clouds.
37. The Replacements – Waitress in the Sky
If you’re in a cheeky mood on a long flight, this song will fit perfectly. Paul Westerberg wrote it teasing his sister, who was a flight attendant. It’s probably not a favorite among airline staff.
36. The Beatles – Back in the USSR
Kicking off with the sound of a plane, “Back in the USSR” parodies travel songs from the early ’60s. At the same time, it manages to celebrate the magic of flying to new places.
35. Gary Allan – Watching Airplanes
Only in country music do you get planes and trucks in the same song. Here, Gary Allan sings about sitting in his truck, heartbroken, watching his lost love flying away. His gravelly voice and inventive mix of mandolin, strings, and Beatles-style arrangements make it unforgettable.
34. Plain White T’s – Airplane
In this bittersweet song from Wonders of the Younger, the airplane becomes a symbol of growing up. Tom Higgenson’s acoustic tune captures the push toward responsibility and the pull of old regrets.
33. Red Hot Chili Peppers – Aeroplane
“Music is my aeroplane”—a brilliant line no one thought of before. This track balances pop hooks with heavy funk, while Anthony Kiedis explores pleasure and pain. It’s also a standout from the short-lived Dave Navarro era.
32. Saxon – 747 (Strangers in the Night)
This hard rock gem imagines the 1965 New York blackout from the perspective of pilots unable to land. Though they got a few historical facts wrong—the 747 didn’t debut until 1969—the urgent mood is spot-on.
31. Bill Conti – Gonna Fly Now (Theme from Rocky)
Some people hear this classic Rocky theme every time the plane lifts off. Bill Conti’s iconic score makes you want to punch the air—whether you’re running up museum steps or buckled into your seat.
30. The New York Dolls – Jet Boy
Is Jet Boy a pilot, a jetpack hero, or someone else entirely? The New York Dolls’ punk anthem leaves it open. Either way, he’s trouble if he’s after your girl.
29. Lenny Kravitz – Fly Away
“Fly Away” became one of the biggest anthems about taking flight. Lenny Kravitz blended rock, soul, and psychedelia into a song that almost got buried on a B-side. Thankfully, it became a staple for travelers everywhere, inspiring spontaneous singalongs with its unforgettable “Yeah, yeah, yeah…”
28. Steve Miller Band – Jet Airliner
One of the joys of traveling is getting away from the hassles in your life, otherwise known as “those funky kicks going down in the city.” Steve Miller Band captured that mood on this grooving flight song, which he borrowed from bluesman Paul Pena.
27. Dionne Warwick – Trains and Boats and Planes
Dionne Warwick and Burt Bacharach could make anything sound jet-set cool in 1966, even a lost-love song like this one. “Trains and Boats and Planes” is one of the few cases where Hal David’s lyric feels a little out of sync with the music, which is gently upbeat rather than weepy.
26. The Cowsills – We Can Fly
Sunshine pop at its absolute sunniest, The Cowsills epitomized the lush, orchestrated pop-rock that thrived in the late ’60s. Their 1968 single says it all – romantic optimism, close harmony, and fluffy clouds rolling by – making it one of the perfect flight songs.
25. Townes van Zandt – To Live is to Fly
Speaking of existential statements, “To Live is to Fly” works an entire philosophy of life into three tidy minutes. Townes van Zandt was reportedly flying high on cough syrup, having caught a bad flu at Guy Clark’s house, when he penned these resonant verses about staying open to all of life’s possibilities.
24. Joan Armatrading – Drop the Pilot
Though not strictly a flight song, “Drop the Pilot” is Joan Armatrading’s artful way of saying, “Dump the person you’re with and come along with me.” Set to one of her most irresistible tunes, it’s a hard offer to refuse.
23. Mike Oldfield – Five Miles Out
Aside from playing nearly every instrument, UK musical polymath Mike Oldfield also flies planes. One day his private jet had a near-fatal encounter with a developing hurricane, inspiring this suitably dramatic piece of prog-pop.
22. Bob & Doug McKenzie – Take Off (featuring Geddy Lee)
If you grew up in the ’80s, you’ll probably never board a plane without hearing the novelty single “Take Off” in your head from Canadian comedic duo Bob and Doug McKenzie (aka Rick Moranis and Dave Thomas). Even though we love Rush, this was one of Geddy Lee’s unexpected career highlights.
21. Peter, Paul & Mary – Leaving on a Jet Plane
Every early summer, when college graduations roll around, this 1967 track feels fresh again. “Leaving on a Jet Plane” marked the biggest hit for the trio and was a standout performance by Mary Travers. It also introduced the world to songwriter John Denver.
20. Joni Mitchell – Amelia
The singer doesn’t physically leave the ground here; it’s her mind and emotions that soar. Nursing a recently broken heart, Mitchell drives out to the desert and watches 747s overhead, turning them into a symbol of freedom and loss, much like Amelia Earhart. A centerpiece of her Hejira album, “Amelia” remains haunting.
19. Rush – Fly By Night
This upbeat track about venturing into the unknown is probably the closest Rush ever got to pub rock. Written just as Neil Peart joined the band, it’s a remarkably grounded anthem for a group otherwise known for their cerebral lyrics.
18. The Moody Blues – The Best Way to Travel
Neil Young may have written “Flying on the Ground is Wrong,” but for the Moodies, it was pure heaven. On their 1968 In Search of the Lost Chord album, they linked soaring through air (and consciousness) with spiritual transcendence.
17. 10cc – I’m Mandy Fly Me
Inspired by an ad campaign from the ’70s, this mini-epic blends airborne love and danger, marking one of 10cc’s peak moments and another unforgettable flight song.
16. Yes – We Can Fly From Here
Leave it to prog-rock veterans Yes to turn air travel into a metaphor for transcendence. Originally written during the Buggles-era, it became a full-fledged Yes epic in 2011.
15. The Guess Who – Orly
A great deep cut from 1973’s Artificial Paradise, “Orly” tells the story of getting stranded at the Paris airport. Burton Cummings even incorporated the airport’s three-note departure signal into the song’s riff.
14. The Box Tops – The Letter
Alex Chilton’s breakout moment, “The Letter” captures the urgency and joy of flying back to a loved one. Few songs depict the excitement of take-off quite as vividly.
13. Slade – Wheels Ain’t Coming Down
Not a song for nervous flyers, “Wheels Ain’t Coming Down” recounts Slade’s near disaster on a cheap prop plane. A gritty reminder that not every part of rock-star life was glamorous.
12. Eddie Floyd – Big Bird
Alongside “The Letter,” Eddie Floyd’s “Big Bird” is a high-flying soul classic. Written while en route to Otis Redding’s funeral, it brims with emotion. The Jam covered it memorably in 1982.
11. Ozzy Osbourne – Flying High Again
A life-affirming anthem wrapped in heavy metal, “Flying High Again” showcases Randy Rhoads’ exceptional guitar work and a thunderous drum performance from Uriah Heep’s Lee Kerslake.
10. David Bowie – Space Oddity
“Ground control to Major Tom…” Bowie’s classic launch into space remains a pop culture touchstone. Even today, the lift-off into the chorus feels magical.
9. Elton John – Daniel
A universal tale of watching a loved one fly away, “Daniel” may have been about a Vietnam veteran, but it struck a chord with anyone who’s felt a painful goodbye.
8. Chuck Berry – Promised Land
Written while Berry was in jail, “Promised Land” is a vivid, restless travelogue full of sharp imagery and veiled references to racial tensions in the South. A not-so-typical flight song, but a classic.
7. Howlin’ Wolf – Mr. Airplane Man
Howlin’ Wolf didn’t bother flying back himself — he just sent his howls via jet pilot. So good that a garage-blues duo even named themselves after it.
6. Lynyrd Skynyrd – Free Bird
Perhaps the ultimate Southern rock anthem, “Free Bird” has been requested at nearly every rock concert ever. Its soaring guitar solo remains one of the most iconic in rock history.
5. Elton John – Rocket Man (I Think It’s Going to Be a Long, Long Time)
Inspired by a Ray Bradbury short story, “Rocket Man” became not only one of Elton John’s signature songs but also the title of his 2019 biopic. A recent animated video beautifully captures its cosmic loneliness.
4. Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers – Learning to Fly
A metaphor for overcoming self-doubt, this Jeff Lynne-produced classic feels like one of Petty’s most heartfelt moments. A flight of spirit more than body.
3. Pink Floyd – Learning to Fly
From the post-Roger Waters A Momentary Lapse of Reason album, “Learning to Fly” is a lush, gorgeous piece of self-doubt and transcendence wrapped in David Gilmour’s shimmering guitar.
2. Frank Sinatra – Come Fly With Me
The 1958 standard became the unofficial theme song of the jet-set era. Frank Sinatra recorded several flight songs, but none captured the thrill of travel quite like this one.
1. The Byrds – Eight Miles High
Often mistaken for a drug song, “Eight Miles High” is actually about Gene Clark’s fear of flying — elevated into rock immortality by Roger McGuinn’s shimmering 12-string guitar. It’s rock’s ultimate flight song.
