John Travolta Joins QF
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John Travolta Joins QF
This press release has just been sent out by Qantas.....That dates of the world tour have not been released as yet.
John Travolta becomes Qantas
"Ambassador-at-Large"
Will pilot original Qantas 707 during
"Spirit of Friendship" global tour in July/August
Los Angeles, 24 June 2002:
Australian-based international airline Qantas today announced that international superstar John Travolta has joined the company and has become its "Ambassador-at-Large".
Qantas also announced that following extensive sessions at its Sydney headquarters and with Boeing in Seattle, Mr Travolta has successfully completed 747-400 First Officer simulator training.
Qantas Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director Geoff Dixon presented Mr Travolta with his "wings" at Los Angeles airport today. Mr Dixon said the airline was delighted to welcome Mr Travolta to the company as "Ambassador-at-Large".
Mr Travolta said that, as part of his new role with Qantas, he would pilot his own aircraft, an ex-Qantas Boeing 707 jet specially painted in its original Qantas 1960s branding and livery, across the globe to 10 countries on a Spirit of Friendship tour.
The Spirit of Friendship tour will include visits to 13 cities around the world between 1 July and late August this year.
Commenting on Mr Travolta's appointment, Mr Dixon said: "It's no secret that John is an avid fan of aviation. He is also a keen and talented pilot, and supporting his Spirit of Friendship tour is a fantastic way to showcase Qantas in its major overseas markets.
"The tour is also a unique opportunity for Qantas to underscore its commitment to international tourism."
Mr Travolta said he chose the Spirit of Friendship theme for the tour following the shocking events that the world has experienced in the past 12 months.
"The past year has been awful for our sense of security and goodwill and also for trust and friendship between different cultures and countries," he said.
"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."
Mr Travolta will fly from Los Angeles to Auckland in New Zealand, Sydney, Melbourne and Perth in Australia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Tokyo, London, Rome, Paris, Frankfurt and New York before returning to Los Angeles. The tour involves about 80 flying hours and covers more than 35,000 nautical miles (64,700 kilometres).
As "Ambassador-at-Large" Mr Travolta has become a Qantas employee and will, during the global tour, spend time with fellow Qantas employees in each market.
Mr Travolta purchased the ex-Qantas 707 four years ago and has been an enthusiastic aviator since his childhood. ENDS
I also understand that JT owns the first DC8, which is in AeroMexico colours in the Arizona desert...anyone confirm??
Geoffrey Thomas
John Travolta becomes Qantas
"Ambassador-at-Large"
Will pilot original Qantas 707 during
"Spirit of Friendship" global tour in July/August
Los Angeles, 24 June 2002:
Australian-based international airline Qantas today announced that international superstar John Travolta has joined the company and has become its "Ambassador-at-Large".
Qantas also announced that following extensive sessions at its Sydney headquarters and with Boeing in Seattle, Mr Travolta has successfully completed 747-400 First Officer simulator training.
Qantas Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director Geoff Dixon presented Mr Travolta with his "wings" at Los Angeles airport today. Mr Dixon said the airline was delighted to welcome Mr Travolta to the company as "Ambassador-at-Large".
Mr Travolta said that, as part of his new role with Qantas, he would pilot his own aircraft, an ex-Qantas Boeing 707 jet specially painted in its original Qantas 1960s branding and livery, across the globe to 10 countries on a Spirit of Friendship tour.
The Spirit of Friendship tour will include visits to 13 cities around the world between 1 July and late August this year.
Commenting on Mr Travolta's appointment, Mr Dixon said: "It's no secret that John is an avid fan of aviation. He is also a keen and talented pilot, and supporting his Spirit of Friendship tour is a fantastic way to showcase Qantas in its major overseas markets.
"The tour is also a unique opportunity for Qantas to underscore its commitment to international tourism."
Mr Travolta said he chose the Spirit of Friendship theme for the tour following the shocking events that the world has experienced in the past 12 months.
"The past year has been awful for our sense of security and goodwill and also for trust and friendship between different cultures and countries," he said.
"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."
Mr Travolta will fly from Los Angeles to Auckland in New Zealand, Sydney, Melbourne and Perth in Australia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Tokyo, London, Rome, Paris, Frankfurt and New York before returning to Los Angeles. The tour involves about 80 flying hours and covers more than 35,000 nautical miles (64,700 kilometres).
As "Ambassador-at-Large" Mr Travolta has become a Qantas employee and will, during the global tour, spend time with fellow Qantas employees in each market.
Mr Travolta purchased the ex-Qantas 707 four years ago and has been an enthusiastic aviator since his childhood. ENDS
I also understand that JT owns the first DC8, which is in AeroMexico colours in the Arizona desert...anyone confirm??
Geoffrey Thomas
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Oh my God....
What more can I say????
Well at least he has a career to go to when Hollywood finally cottons on to the fact that his acting days are near over! I'm sure many QF pax would be thrilled by the idea of being capatained by JT, just so long he doesn't skim down the aisle in skin-tight jeans singing "Grease" stuff...
What more can I say????
Well at least he has a career to go to when Hollywood finally cottons on to the fact that his acting days are near over! I'm sure many QF pax would be thrilled by the idea of being capatained by JT, just so long he doesn't skim down the aisle in skin-tight jeans singing "Grease" stuff...
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Interesting
I heard an interview with him last year on Triple J radio where he was asked if he wasn't an actor - what would he want to be. His answer - a QANTAS pilot. Not airline pilot but QANTAS pilot, so his love affair with the red rat sounds like more than just marketing gimmickry
I heard an interview with him last year on Triple J radio where he was asked if he wasn't an actor - what would he want to be. His answer - a QANTAS pilot. Not airline pilot but QANTAS pilot, so his love affair with the red rat sounds like more than just marketing gimmickry
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Hows he going to get around this one?
Minimum Criteria:
Residency
Hold Australian Permanent Residency Status Australian Birth Certificate, OR Valid Australian passport, OR Overseas passport with Australian Permanent Residency visa
Minimum Criteria:
Residency
Hold Australian Permanent Residency Status Australian Birth Certificate, OR Valid Australian passport, OR Overseas passport with Australian Permanent Residency visa
Absolutely brilliant Qantas! I hope it's the PR success it deserves to be. All it needs now to complete the fantasy is Olivia but I'm sure QF are already working on that.
Next step: Keep the 707 in Australia when JT is finished with it.
Next step: Keep the 707 in Australia when JT is finished with it.
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ABC News Online
Self-professed "airline geek" and actor John Travolta has earned a new pair of wings as a first officer for Qantas Airways.
He also unveiled a world tour to promote air travel that has weakened since September 11.
Travolta, an avid pilot and Oscar-nominated star of movies from Saturday Night Fever to Pulp Fiction, trained with Qantas and on 747 simulators at Boeing in Seattle and was now officially "Ambassador-at-large" for the Australian airline.
Shortly after, Qantas chief executive officer Geoff Dixon pinned the golden wings on Travolta, who was wearing a crisp blue aviator's uniform.
The actor called the moment "one of the proudest days of my life".
"Without crying here, I would say it's at least alongside the two Oscar nominations I've received in my career. It's right up there with that," Travolta said.
Travolta, 48, said as far back as when he was four-years-old, he wanted his own pilot's uniform.
He began taking flying lessons at age 16 and earned his jet pilot's licence in 1981. Since then, he has logged 5,000 hours of flying time.
"Besides my serious attitude toward flying, I have to admit something to all of you, I am an airline geek," Travolta said.
He has a son named Jett, and joked that he wanted to name his daughter "Qantas" but wife Kelly Preston wouldn't allow it.
Travolta said his new plans stem from a tour he took to Australia last summer to promote his action thriller, Swordfish.
Travolta owns a vintage Boeing 707 that was first flown by Qantas and when he arrived in Australia in the plane, he said, it caused quite a stir.
He asked to meet with Mr Dixon and told him if Qantas would return his 1960s plane to its original colors, he would fly around the world to promote the airline.
The movie promotion took place shortly before the September 11 attacks on the World Trade Centre in New York and Pentagon in Washington, DC.
After the attacks, he and Mr Dixon decided to broaden the scope of his promise to promote not just Qantas, but the airline industry and flying, in general, Travolta said.
"Personally, I can not think of a better ambassador for Qantas than John," Mr Dixon said.
So, in his freshly painted 707 dubbed the "Jett Clipper Ella," on July 1, Travolta will take to the air from Los Angeles and head to Auckland, New Zealand to begin the 10-nation "Spirit of Friendship" tour.
Other destinations will include Sydney, Melbourne and Perth in Australia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Tokyo, London, Rome, Paris, Frankfurt and New York.
Self-professed "airline geek" and actor John Travolta has earned a new pair of wings as a first officer for Qantas Airways.
He also unveiled a world tour to promote air travel that has weakened since September 11.
Travolta, an avid pilot and Oscar-nominated star of movies from Saturday Night Fever to Pulp Fiction, trained with Qantas and on 747 simulators at Boeing in Seattle and was now officially "Ambassador-at-large" for the Australian airline.
Shortly after, Qantas chief executive officer Geoff Dixon pinned the golden wings on Travolta, who was wearing a crisp blue aviator's uniform.
The actor called the moment "one of the proudest days of my life".
"Without crying here, I would say it's at least alongside the two Oscar nominations I've received in my career. It's right up there with that," Travolta said.
Travolta, 48, said as far back as when he was four-years-old, he wanted his own pilot's uniform.
He began taking flying lessons at age 16 and earned his jet pilot's licence in 1981. Since then, he has logged 5,000 hours of flying time.
"Besides my serious attitude toward flying, I have to admit something to all of you, I am an airline geek," Travolta said.
He has a son named Jett, and joked that he wanted to name his daughter "Qantas" but wife Kelly Preston wouldn't allow it.
Travolta said his new plans stem from a tour he took to Australia last summer to promote his action thriller, Swordfish.
Travolta owns a vintage Boeing 707 that was first flown by Qantas and when he arrived in Australia in the plane, he said, it caused quite a stir.
He asked to meet with Mr Dixon and told him if Qantas would return his 1960s plane to its original colors, he would fly around the world to promote the airline.
The movie promotion took place shortly before the September 11 attacks on the World Trade Centre in New York and Pentagon in Washington, DC.
After the attacks, he and Mr Dixon decided to broaden the scope of his promise to promote not just Qantas, but the airline industry and flying, in general, Travolta said.
"Personally, I can not think of a better ambassador for Qantas than John," Mr Dixon said.
So, in his freshly painted 707 dubbed the "Jett Clipper Ella," on July 1, Travolta will take to the air from Los Angeles and head to Auckland, New Zealand to begin the 10-nation "Spirit of Friendship" tour.
Other destinations will include Sydney, Melbourne and Perth in Australia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Tokyo, London, Rome, Paris, Frankfurt and New York.
Why is an American representing the national airline of OZ?
Where is the relevance?
Gotta learn to stand on ya own two feet lads.
Perhaps Paul Hogan and the Crocodile Hunter can do a run around the planet with United. That would be lovely.....
Where is the relevance?
Gotta learn to stand on ya own two feet lads.
Perhaps Paul Hogan and the Crocodile Hunter can do a run around the planet with United. That would be lovely.....
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Having tried all possible options available to get in to Qantas and being universally unsuccessful, it is becoming apparent to me that I need some sort of leverage in order to crack the golden nut.
John Travolta is a world famous movie star and was able to use that power to convice HRH Geoff Dixon to give him a start date. Now, I'm no hollywood celebrity, but perhaps if I sent in my home-made porn (legend in my own bedroom) I might stand a chance.
I can see it now: "2daddies Does Jet Base".
Or maybe not................................
John Travolta is a world famous movie star and was able to use that power to convice HRH Geoff Dixon to give him a start date. Now, I'm no hollywood celebrity, but perhaps if I sent in my home-made porn (legend in my own bedroom) I might stand a chance.
I can see it now: "2daddies Does Jet Base".
Or maybe not................................
Steve76
Paul Hogan and Steve Irwin do not own and fly a genuine Qantas Boeing 707-138B. Therein lies the difference. Furthermore, JT apparently loves Qantas which sets him apart from some cynics. I don't have a problem with such a person representing "Australia's Overseas Airline". You know, global village and all that?
Cheers
Paul Hogan and Steve Irwin do not own and fly a genuine Qantas Boeing 707-138B. Therein lies the difference. Furthermore, JT apparently loves Qantas which sets him apart from some cynics. I don't have a problem with such a person representing "Australia's Overseas Airline". You know, global village and all that?
Cheers
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Steve 76,
"Gotta learn to stand on ya own two feet lads."
If that was a wind-up then mission accomplished. Otherwise you surely must be joking. There are many negative things that the envious could say about QF but that is most certainly not one of them.
LH
"Gotta learn to stand on ya own two feet lads."
If that was a wind-up then mission accomplished. Otherwise you surely must be joking. There are many negative things that the envious could say about QF but that is most certainly not one of them.
LH
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Good on them, sounds like a great idea.
Anyway might not be able to post for a while I am going to acting school knew there had to be another way to get into Qantas as the traditional way has not worked as yet.
Anyway might not be able to post for a while I am going to acting school knew there had to be another way to get into Qantas as the traditional way has not worked as yet.
Imagine the scene when John and Samuel L. Jackson are crewing the machine.
Steward pokes head in cockpit:
"Er, Captain, some of the passengers are complaining about the food."
JT: "They are, huh? OK, let's go."
Up they get, dark glasses and shoulder holsters on, and head down the back.
Jackson (to complaining passenger):
"Mmmmm, mmmm, that sure looks like a tasty burger."
(takes a bite).
"And now I think I'll try some of your delicious beverage..."
Pax: "......squeak....mumble...."
Steward pokes head in cockpit:
"Er, Captain, some of the passengers are complaining about the food."
JT: "They are, huh? OK, let's go."
Up they get, dark glasses and shoulder holsters on, and head down the back.
Jackson (to complaining passenger):
"Mmmmm, mmmm, that sure looks like a tasty burger."
(takes a bite).
"And now I think I'll try some of your delicious beverage..."
Pax: "......squeak....mumble...."
Nunc est bibendum
You got to hand it to the QF marketing gurus and even Geoff Dixon at times.
When Ansett operated their inaugural 747 service into Kansai, no one gave a damn because Wunala Dreaming turned up for the first time about fifteen minutes before Ansett did and the Japanese media went berko. Some estimates put it at $2.5 Million worth of 'free' advertising in painting OJB for that sort of stuff.
Geoff was also the bloke that got the rights for 'I still call Australia home' when he came to QF from Ansett. Abeles had baulked at the $250K price tag. QF grabbed it with both hands.
Now we get worldwise publicity and heaps of exposure for the cost of a couple of coats of paint (and maybe a few sim rides thrown in as well!). I don't know about standing on our own two feet Steve, maybe we just grab a bargain when we see one!
Interesting 'other' issues though. I wonder if I can stick in a claim for bypass pay if JT has got a 744 F/O endoresement and I don't!
When Ansett operated their inaugural 747 service into Kansai, no one gave a damn because Wunala Dreaming turned up for the first time about fifteen minutes before Ansett did and the Japanese media went berko. Some estimates put it at $2.5 Million worth of 'free' advertising in painting OJB for that sort of stuff.
Geoff was also the bloke that got the rights for 'I still call Australia home' when he came to QF from Ansett. Abeles had baulked at the $250K price tag. QF grabbed it with both hands.
Now we get worldwise publicity and heaps of exposure for the cost of a couple of coats of paint (and maybe a few sim rides thrown in as well!). I don't know about standing on our own two feet Steve, maybe we just grab a bargain when we see one!
Interesting 'other' issues though. I wonder if I can stick in a claim for bypass pay if JT has got a 744 F/O endoresement and I don't!
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I heard Tricky Dicky Branson is ropable that he missed out on such a great marketing idea. He's now in talks with Ali G over a similar deal. They are planning on calling it the 'Spread a Virgin' World Tour.
Respect.
Respect.