John Travolta is much more than just a Hollywood star. The actor is known for his love of aviation and has several jets in his private portfolio. Travolta is certified to fly 11 different aircraft and owns a number of planes himself. We take a closer look at John Travolta's jet collection.
Travolta owns at least seven jets
Movie star John Travolta has been a qualified pilot for over 40 years and is perhaps the best-known celebrity aviator around today. Since he first started flying at the age of 15, Travolta regularly pilots his own jets around the world, including a trip from his home in Florida to Shannon, Ireland, in January of last year.
According to Belfast Telegraph, Travolta has at least seven jets in his collection. His private stable is home to a Bombardier Challenger 601, Boeing 727, Eclipse 500, Dassault Falcon 900, and three Gulfstream jets.
SuperYachtFan revealed more information about a few of Travolta's jets. The Bombardier Challenger 601, which Travolta acquired in 2011, was built in 1988 and is registered under N392JT. The Eclipse 500 was built in 2007 with registration N218JT.
In 1992, Travolta narrowly avoided a catastrophe over Washington when his Gulfstream II suffered a total electrical failure. The star managed to land the aircraft and avoid a midair collision with a nearby Boeing 727. In the past, Travolta is known to have owned a Canadair CL41 Tutor, which he donated to a university, and a Lockheed Jetstar, which he has since sold.
A house with an airport
Those who have followed Travolta over the years know about his home in Ocala, Florida. The house, built in the 90s in the Jumbolair Aviation Estates, is now worth more than $10 million. Travolta's house is one of many that surround Greystone Airport, which is a private airport featuring two runways. John Travolta and his late wife, Kelly Preston, who passed away in 2020, were the first to build a home there.
Before her passing, Preston told Hello Magazine that Travolta had a lifelong dream of having his planes in his front yard,
"It was always John's dream to have planes in his front yard—to practically be able to pull up to the house—so that when you wanted to go to dinner, all you'd have to do was step out the door, get on the plane and whisk off."
Preston added that she and Travolta frequently flew in and out of the airport and that he flew to and from work every day when shooting a movie in Tampa.
Travolta's old Boeing 707
Perhaps the actor's most prized possession was the Boeing 707-138B that he picked up over 20 years ago. Travolta initially acquired the 707 from Qantas on a rental agreement before the airline handed him the jet as part of his brand ambassador role.
The 150-seater former Qantas jet was revamped to carry just 15 guests and boasted two bedrooms and a full-size bathroom.
The 57-year-old Boeing 707 was donated to Australia's Historical Aircraft Restoration Society (HARS) in 2017. It is reportedly undergoing extensive work before it will go on display. Simple Flying took a closer look at John Travolta's Boeing 707 last year.
Boeing 737 license
Travolta announced in March of last year that he received his license to pilot the Boeing 737. The actor is also certified to fly the Boeing 707 and Boeing 747, and other aircraft.
Travolta said,
"A very proud moment for me. I just received my 737 license."
During an interview with Business Jet Traveler, Travolta revealed that he is certified to fly 11 different jet types, ranging from light business jets to military aircraft. His personal website states that he is qualified to fly "Gulfstream, Challenger, Hawker, Falcon, Lear, Citation jets, as well as the de Havilland Vampire and Canadair CL-41 Tutor/Tebuan military jets."
Do you have any interesting stories about John Travolta's jet collection? Let us know in the comments.
Sources: Belfast Telegraph, SuperYachtFan, Hello Magazine, Business Jet Traveler