Hollywood actor John Travolta is famous for flying his own Qantas-branded Boeing 707 but on Monday, he gave the controls over to someone else, flying into Dubai on the Australian airline’s double-decker A380 on a trip to promote the brand.
“Good morning,” he said, when he walked into a press conference at the Jumeirah Zabeel Saray on The Palm. “Have you got your seat belts fastened?”
While Travolta may be best known for his dance moves in films such as Saturday Night Fever and Pulp Fiction, his love for flying is a well-documented, if unexpected, passion of his. It’s also something he’s been able to embrace especially after Qantas, who made him Ambassador-At-Large in 2002, sent him on a goodwill tour of the world to encourage people to fly again after the September 11 attacks.
“It was my idea to come to Dubai,” he said. “I’ve been wanting to come for at least 10 years. Then I heard that Emirates and Qantas were forming a partnership. I kind of bullied my way here.”
Qantas recently entered into a partnership with Dubai-based airline Emirates, making the UAE one of their international hubs.
Plane geek
“I’m a plane geek,” Travolta said. “I’m also an architecture nut. The architecture [in Dubai] fascinates me. I love modern buildings and want to see the tallest building in the world. This is the ultimate futuristic city.”
The 59-year-old is spending the week in the UAE on holiday with his family (although he’ll be meeting with lucky tabloid! readers at a special high tea on Thursday) while also showcasing the airline’s service and cabins.
“I’m planning to go to the desert, ride a camel and see the sail building,” he said, referring to the Burj Al Arab. “The women here are very beautiful and exotic in the best way. There is a warmth and I love warmth in women. And I like women who like men like me!”
Travolta has piloted his ex-Qantas 707 (he bought the 1964-built aircraft in 1998, long after the Australian airline had sold it on) all over the world, including to Australia with Oprah Winfrey and her studio audience during her memorable 2010 visit to Sydney.
