In the comics, I believe at least one writer has tried to explain this by hinting that Superman is an unknowing telekenetic. I.E. he can move things around wit

In the comics, I believe at least one writer has tried to explain this by hinting that Superman is an unknowing telekenetic. I.E. he can move things around with his mind, but for some reason has interpreted this power only in these frankly highly specific ways. When he flies, the theory went, he was moving his body around with his mind.