Football supporter: John Travolta has a strong association with Australia's Socceroos thanks to his role as goodwill ambassador for their sponsors Qantas AirlinesHe's probably not someone we might associate with being a football supporter, but John Travolta flew his Boeing 707 into South Africa today to attend the World Cup.
He was accompanied by his pregnant wife Kelly Preston and their daughter Ella at Lanseria Airport, near Johannesburg.
Travolta's appearance at the tournament may come as a surprise to many, but the actor has a history with the Australian Socceroos thanks to his role as goodwill ambassador for Qantas Airlines, who sponsor the team.
The couple appeared happy and relaxed when they landed in South Africa, having stopped in Argentinian capital Buenos Aires en route to the World Cup host nation.
Australia's football team are hoping to move beyond the opening stages of the tournament and Travolta and his family will be throwing their support behind the team.
He is scheduled to give a pep talk to the Australian players before their big opener against Germany in Durban this Sunday.
New addition: Kelly's mother Linda Carlson says the couple are overjoyed with the news of their forthcoming new arrivalQantas CEO Alan Joyce explained: 'Last time he met the Socceroos, he was singing in the dressing room, 'Grease' songs, so we may go down that path again.'
Travolta is in the country for five days with his family and he will be throwing his support behind the Socceroos who play Germany on Sunday.
It was only last year when their son Jett tragically passed away after apparently having a seizure and hitting his head in the bath.
Aye, aye captain: The actor flew into South Africa from Buenos Aires - his rare Boeing 707 bears the name Jett Clipper Ella in honor of his childrenKelly, who announced her good news just a few weeks ago, appeared to be carrying a mini bump as she was pictured with her family arriving in South Africa.
Meanwhile, Kelly Preston's mother Linda Carlson spoke to Us Magazine about the couple's joy at the news of Kelly's pregnancy.
She said: 'We are over the moon I've been praying that this would happen, especially since Jett's death.
Arriving in style: John Travolta with wife Kelly Preston and their daughter Ella at Lanseria Airport, near Johannesburg - Kelly recently announced that she is expecting a baby'Anything to get them out of their sorrow. I know Kelly has been longing for another baby. She just loves babies! So do I. I just can't wait for this child to arrive.
It's taken them out of such deep grief and made them able to focus on new life.
'It couldn't come at a better time. Her aura is so filled with peace. It's changed their lives.'
The Pulp Fiction actor is certified to man B747-400s under tough Qantas training standards and was the first non-test pilot allowed to fly the A380 double-decker superjumbo.
Travolta’s 707, actually a B707-138B, is a rarity, as only 13 units were built and most of them were axed upon retirement from airline service.
The plane bears the name Jett Clipper Ella in honor of his children. Pan American World Airways was a large operator of the Boeing 707 and used Clipper in its names.
He employs a full crew and has hush-kitted the engines to comply with current noise restrictions in addition to a partial upgrade of the cockpit.
He recently said of being a pilot: 'I find flying extroverting — it puts your attention outside yourself — you’re responsible for a machine that’s going through the air at 600 mph. The sensation is thrilling and there’s a beauty and an art form to it.'
source :dailymail
