Qantas is set to party like it's 2020 on Friday night when the airline holds the black tie gala dinner originally planned to mark its 100th birthday almost three years ago.
With a guest list that runs to 1000 people and international acts headlining the entertainment, the evening is being billed as the "hottest ticket in Sydney".
Much like the airline's secretive Chairman's Lounge, Qantas is being tight-lipped about who is invited to the hangar party, which will be catered by celebrity chef Neil Perry.
It's understood the chief executives of banks, mining companies and international airlines did make the guest list, along with television identities, politicians and sports stars Adam Goodes and Bronte Campbell.
A number of Oantas staff have also scored an invitation by way of thanks for sticking with the company through the pandemic - that derailed the original event.
Oantas declined to comment on the entertainment line-up other than to hint that two homegrown international stars would perform, along with the Bangarra Dance Theatre and ARIA award-winning artist Budjerah.
The 21-year-old singer-songwriter recently reached new audiences when he toured with British pop star Ed Sheeran.
Actor Rodger Corser and television presenter Sylvia Jeffreys are set to MC the gala, which will be addressed by CEO Alan Joyce.
He will be joined by Qantas chairman Richard Goyder and the airline's executive team, plus former chief executive Geoff Dixon and ex-chairmen Leigh Clifford and Margaret Jackson.
The budget for the party is also being closely guarded, although there is no question Qantas can afford such a glamorous do.
The carrier clocked a record half-year profit in the six months to December 31 of $1.43bn. Qantas last formal affair in 2015 was attended by John Travolta and his wife, the late Kelly Preston, supermodels Miranda Kerr and Jess Hart, and singer Ronan Keating. Bernard Fanning and Tina Arena serenaded the crowd, who were welcomed into the cavernous hangar by aerial acrobats.
On Thursday, a Qantas insider revealed the most asked question by invitees was "would Travolta return?"
A long-time ambassador of the airline and qualified pilot, Travolta was expected to attend a memorial for his former co-star Olivia Newton-John in Melbourne last month but failed to appear.
He has kept a low profile since breaking down at the Oscars, while paying tribute to Dame Olivia.
Kelly Preston, 57, lost her battle with breast cancer in July 2020. She and Travolta were married for 28-years.
THE AUSTRALIAN