John Travolta celebrated his 72nd birthday Wednesday by adding yet another credential to his aviation resume, announcing on Instagram that he earned his pilot’s license for the Bombardier Global Express.
In a video posted Wednesday, the “Grease” star could be seen piloting the large-cabin, long-range business jet before appearing in the cockpit to declare, “I just accomplished my license in the Global Express SIC.” Standing outside the aircraft, he added with a laugh, “Congratulations to me.”
“It’s my birthday today! And I’m very proud to say I got my license in the Global Express! Thank you for all my birthday wishes!” he captioned the post, which drew more than 125,000 likes.
According to People, Mr. Travolta has been a licensed pilot since age 22 and has served as an ambassador for Qantas Airways since 2002. Over the decades, he has earned qualifications to fly several aircraft, including the Boeing 747, 707 and 737 — the latter of which he added in 2022, calling it “a very proud moment in my aviation history.” The Bombardier Global Express, his newest addition, is a luxury aircraft manufactured by Bombardier Aviation that is capable of flying up to 7,900 nautical miles, making it one of the longest-range business jets available.
Mr. Travolta has said his passion for flying dates back to his school days. In a 2020 Instagram throwback post, he revealed that an aviation class offered when he was 15 “started my second career.” His late wife, Kelly Preston, told The Telegraph in 2018 that the couple traveled constantly aboard his planes, noting that Mr. Travolta had flown their family across the globe — from Russia and South Africa to Australia and the Far East. “I never get nervous when John’s piloting because he’s calm in any situation and can handle the pressure,” she said.
In a 2008 interview with CBS News, the actor explained what keeps drawing him back to the skies. “Aviation has always bailed me out of anything in my mind that is blue,” he said. “I can look through an airline schedule and brochure and cheer up.”
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