Meeting John Travolta

It is rare indeed that my day job in the travel industry ever puts me in front of the Hollywood elite but on Monday the stars aligned and I came face to face with John Travolta and Olivia Newton John.

The occasion was the North American Qantas Airways launch of the latest king of the skies, the Airbus A380. I was invited to Los Angeles International airport to take a two hour flight up over San Francisco and back in order to experience the very latest in commercial aviation. Back in 2002 John Travolta became an 'ambassador at large' for Qantas Airways formalizing his love affair with aviation and his pilot credentials:

"I'm undertaking this tour to extend the hand of friendship -- to reach out, to cross borders, make contact, rekindle friendships and make new friends. That's why I've teamed up with Qantas, an airline which embodies the spirit of Australia and the spirit of friendship. I've always admired the Qantas safety record and culture and I've been attracted to its values of quality, openness and friendliness."

Talking about how his enthusiasm for aviation began:

"I was the baby of the family," he said. "In the late '50s, Ellen was off to college and then off to shows. All through the early '60s, she was still traveling quite a bit. Whether it was her, my other sister or my mother, I would say goodbye to them at the airport. Finally, in 1962, at 8 years old, I got my own flight on a National Airlines DC-6. That was the beginning of the reality of flying for me. Up to that point, it was all observing. I just loved it."

Travolta and Los Angeles Mayor Villaraigosa both spoke at the inaugural ceremony before the actual flight and then John and Olivia Newton John accompanied industry and press on the two hour flight. I have never met a Hollywood star before but both Travolta and Newton John were very accommodating with requests for photos and autographs on board. It was a great PR success for the airline and a rare brush with a world so often only accessible on the Big or Small Screen.

Here is a snap of Danny Zuko/Vincent Vega/Tony Manero and your very own blogger!

For more photos of the day click here.

Meeting John Travolta