Being passionate about something is a wonderful thing, and we all know Travolta is passionate about planes and flying. He has been lucky enough to be able to share this passion with a good friend, Marlon Brando, with whom he has co-piloted a number of flights before. Travolta had dreams to co-pilot with some of the legends of flying which included Howard Hughes, a genius of his time who was plagued by mental health issues and OCD.
Hughes was brought back to life in the film, “The Aviator” when Leonardo DiCaprio took on the role. His other dream co-pilot would have been Charles Lindbergh who was the first person to fly solo, non-stop all the way over the Atlantic Ocean. Unfortunately, both of these ambitions will remain dreams for John as both Lindbergh and Hughes sadly passed away many years ago.
Qantas Ambassador
Travolta had always taken a keen interest in aviation and flying from a young age, and this had manifested in him taking his private pilot’s license as well as owning a fleet of five aircraft. In 2001, shortly after the terrorist attacks of 9.11, Travolta became the “Ambassador-at-large” for Qantas Airways in an attempt to encourage people to continue using airplanes in the wake of that fateful day.
It may seem strange that Travolta would link up with Qantas, who are in fact the Australian national airline, but Travolta was always impressed with their safety record and is known for flying the longest routes around the world. It was through Qantas that Travolta purchased his Boeing 707 aircraft, the most impressive in his fleet.
Travolta’s Mansions
As with many stars they have huge incomes and so can afford extravagant homes. The Travoltas own four such homes in Maine, California, Hawaii, and in Ocala Florida which is their main residence and also their largest. Maybe the most extravagant thing about it is that it also functions as an airport and two runways, which lead straight to their front door.
The home is actually situated in a residential airpark. The Travoltas chose this location on purpose as they wanted to be able to access their airplanes at any time. In an interview with Australia’s Today program, Travolta was quoted in saying that “We designed the house for the jets and to have at our access the world at a moment’s notice.”
Kirstie Alley and Travolta
The late Kirstie Alley and John Travolta were great friends. They first met when they starred opposite each other in the hit movie, "Look Who’s Talking," and again in the sequel "Look Who’s Talking Too." They discovered that they shared many interests including Scientology. It took years for Alley to move past her romantic feelings for Travolta.
It’s interesting she felt that way because at the time they met she was married to Parker Stevenson, despite declaring to Barbara Walters that he was “the love of my life.” Kirstie remained faithful to Stevenson, and she and Travolta remained the best of friends.
Cruise vs. Travolta
You would be forgiven for assuming that Tom Cruise and John Travolta are good friends. In fact, this is not true at all. Despite having mutual friends, being part of the Hollywood scene, and being devoted believers in Scientology, the two are not at all close, by any means.
In Leah Remini’s book entitled, “Troublemaker: Surviving Hollywood and Scientology,” she reveals that Tom Cruise does not like John Travolta or the late Kirstie Alley for that matter. This rumor was confirmed when neither Travolta nor Alley was invited to Tom Cruise’s wedding to Katie Holmes, back in 2006. Oh, what drama.