John Travolta, Qantas ambassador, reveals his one great love

TRAINS, planes and automobiles might excite him but mention one person in John Travolta’s life and his eyes light up like a 747.

Actor John Travolta seen at the premiere of "The Forger" at Roy Thomson Hall during the 2014 Toronto International Film Festival on Friday, Sept. 12, 2014, in Toronto. (Photo by Arthur Mola/Invision/AP)

TRAINS, planes and automobiles might excite him, but mention one person in John Travolta’s life and his eyes light up like a 747.

Well, in this case, maybe like an A380.

It is Travolta’s three-and-half-year-old son Benjamin who brings him the most joy.

“I just don’t have the words for the joy Benjamin gives me,” he said, as I sat down for an exclusive chat with the actor, dad, pilot, husband and Qantas Ambassador.

“He is just so funny, and bright and joyful and clever and interested in everything and everyone.”

The 60-year-old has always been quiet about his private life, allowing any gossip, speculation, parodies and innuendo about him go over his head. So it was refreshing to see him so animated about his youngest child.

“Benjamin speaks to me like a 30-year-old sometimes, which is just so funny and he’ll just look at me and say ‘we’re having a blast today, aren’t we dad?’

“I just adore him.”

John Travolta salutes from a Qantas A380 at Dallas-Fort Worth Airport in Texas.

Travolta was in fine form at Dallas Fort Worth Airport to greet the inaugural A380 service from Sydney and even joined select guests for dinner and a rooftop drinks party last night at cool Dallas restaurant spot, Barter.

He said he was proud to help promote the new service and genuinely thrilled to be a part of a historic aviation moment for the Aussie airline.

“It’s exciting news for Americans that the world’s biggest and one of the most luxurious passenger aircraft is now flying between Dallas Fort Worth and Sydney,” said Travolta.

“I have been lucky enough to experience the Qantas A380 and it really is quiet and spacious.

“As a passenger I’ve also enjoyed exceptional food and wine, in-flight entertainment and the uniquely friendly Australian service from all the crew.

“Sydney is such a special place and I love it every time I go.

“We were there last year and also Africa, as my daughter loves Australia and let’s face it, flying into Australia over Sydney Harbour? Hardly gets better than that.”

Planes have been a staple in Travolta’s life since he was a kid, growing up with them flying overhead, living 10 miles from La Guardia Airport in New Jersey.

“I was always fascinated by planes and had a connection to them as a kid and I would always collect schedules,” he said.

“They just always absolutely fascinated me.”

Qantas is now the only carrier to operate A380 services between the US and Australia.

“I was kind of involved in getting this leg going as I was one of a few who suggested it is a great idea as the bigger plane can hold enough fuel to go from Sydney to Dallas and Dallas is now such a epicentre to every major city in the US,” he said.

Qantas first launched services between Dallas Fort Worth and Sydney in 2011 and has carried more than 300,000 passengers on the route with A380 on the route representing a net increase of 10 per cent more seats per week.

“I was the first non-test pilot to fly it and the technology is so great and as an old-fashioned pilot I’m probably not as challenged as I normally would be,” Travolta said.

To mark the occasion of the first flight, Qantas even painted its A380 aircraft operating the route with a special livery — the kangaroo on the tail featured a traditional stetson hat with a neckerchief in the American-stars print, with a “G’Day Texas” emblem next to the forward doors.

And Travolta was thrilled to be at the gate to greet guests as they landed at the airport and the plane was greeted with fire engines spurting water as a traditional welcome.

“Seriously, I just love my whole connection with Australia going way back to the days of working with Livvie,” he says.

That’s Olivia Newton-John, of course, with whom he starred with in Grease and released an album with in 2012.

“I’d love to work with her again. It was her birthday the other day and I text her and she’s still waiting for her birthday card as I think I sent it to LA and not to Melbourne,” he admitted.

“We have an enduring and loving friendship as she is one of the best chicks around.”

And with that, John kissed and thanked me, proving he’s still a pretty cool dude, too.

John Travolta at Sydney airport with wife Kelly Preston, daughter Ella and son Benjamin in 2013.

Melissa is a guest of Qantas and you can follow the rest of her Dallas (mis) adventures @melissahoyer on Twitter & Instagram.