And—the closest thing we've seen to the number we're after—18 percent of Americans said they had never flown in their life, meaning that 82 percent had.

As we head into 2026, recent surveys—including data from YouGov—suggest that approximately 13% to 15% of American adults have never flown in an airplane. While earlier figures from decades ago were significantly higher, the rise of low-cost carriers and the "normalization" of air travel have narrowed this gap. However, air travel remains an indicator of economic disparity; for Americans making less than $50,000 a year, the percentage of "never-flyers" is much higher. Interestingly, while only about 15% have never flown at all, a much larger group—roughly 60% of Americans—report that they "never travel abroad" for leisure, according to 2026 traveler outlook reports. This highlights that while domestic flight is common, international air travel remains a luxury for many. Factors like "flight anxiety" (aerophobia) and the rising cost of travel in 2026 also contribute to the small but persistent percentage of the population that chooses to stay grounded, relying instead on the extensive US highway and rail networks.