Up close and LOUD: John Travolta's Boeing 707 Jett Clipper Ella departs LAX

Ending the Boeing 707's reign in style was actor & Jet Pilot John Travolta with his restored Qantas 707-138B to it's former glory and original state.
When Pilot John Travolta got mad at me - here
• John Travolta Gets Pis...
Aviation Fans and 707 Lovers especially, worldwide say,
Thanks for rekindling our early remembrance of this beautiful Jetliner!
Thanks John

[@adrianmlridgewayarcmlramll1965]

I’ve met him, briefly, and it’s true, he’s a very modest, humble man, entirely normal, decent guy. He deserves all he has, and then some!

[@bachblues2]

The sound of those signature Boeing 707 engines take me back to my child years when we could see and hear those PANAM clipper jets.

[@Starboard76]

Yes...music to the ears!

[@seeburg220]

Retired ATC here. I worked his 707 one early morning. Sector was empty except for him, so we got to chat about his jet. Super nice guy. BTW, that plane hauls a** !

[@rajagopaljayagopal4159]

Hats off to u John. Am a retired aviator with 40 + yrs of flying experience Airforce and Airlines. Flew the 707s in the 70s. A beautiful aircraft for times. Not an easy aircraft to fly especially in bad weather cause of its low tech support systems. Required fair desk of skill even for a career pilot. Kudos. Respect John !!!

[@adeebjalaludin8718]

It flew me in 1974 to Heathrow from Subang and back.

[@sovietkrab1871]

@@adeebjalaludin8718 k

[@beefchops1400]

Doubt he flies in bad weather….not intentionally anyway!

[@captainsteve5475]

I know he’s rich and famous, but he seems like the type of man that if you saw him out fishing or doing normal stuff, he’d talk to you like a normal guy.

[@Gollas4k]

I don´t understand how these people end up promoting scientology... seems like a down to earth normal guy but promotes a cash grabbing cult that´s based on the sci-fi books of it´s lunatic leader

[@juanignacio7009]

of course fly an boeing 707 is totally normal i do it every day

[@chouseification]

nope... he's the type of guy who would be polite until you asked him about his cult then he'd walk away from you as if you had never met. Stop projecting "good guy" on known cult members whose actions clearly WOULD NOT be those as you describe. He's still in the cult, so everything you said is wrong.

[@flyn333]

I marshaled John and his 707 Jett Clipper Ella, painted in Qantas colors, into EAA Oshkosh West Ramp 2008. I was fortunate to get a private tour of the custom interior plus and an autograph.

[@Starboard76]

Score, man..big Score!

[@byronharano2391]

While everyone else is acting to play the roll of a pilot. We have John Travolta an airplane commercial pilot moonlighting as an actor. Too cool John. Fly on

[@garys7828]

Great actor and my condolences for his sad loss of his wife... Life is short and precious.. I wish him and his family well

[@vincentlavina823]

V

[@sasch-big.k-6616]

Shut up

[@Kassiusday]

John shows that one can dance Saturday night and be pilot 👨🏾‍✈️ Monday morning ! ... superb journey of a smart guy ! 👌🏾!

[@teasingbrown75]

Simply wonderful this 707!! All this smoke reminds me a lot of MD11, which owns my heart!! And how good it is to be able to have the opportunity, the privilege of seeing some of these aviation icons still in action!! It's a video to keep with great affection.

[@kona702]

MD-11 is my favorite too!

[@MrJfrederici]

What a beautiful 707...and kudos to Travolta for keeping her shiny and flying.

[@Starboard76]

Right on..and everyone would could, would do the exact same if they could afford it.

[@davidtimms3201]

Such an awesome sound spooling up the Pratt & Whitney JT3Ds. Classic Boeing 707. They don't build them like this anymore.

[@RiXFortuna]

Thank God, I remember watching one taxiing while I was a kid and was always in awe for the absurd noise level

[@melrose9252]

@@RiXFortuna < You should have stayed home.

[@kiwitintinscott]

I love the old DC-8's & 707's. I can remember back around 1968 a Pan Am 707 blew me off a tree during its takeoff roll at Manchester, UK. Those P&W engines were something else..and the smell, boy I was in heaven as a 7 year old. Great memories 👍👍😁😁

[@Starboard76]

That's stuff that hooked 'the original spotters' on aviation right there!

[@kiwitintinscott]

@@Starboard76 Hey bro, I can tell you that I was born just half-a-mile from the airport and I have been hooked on civil aviation for 58 years!!! I all but lived on the airport terraces ir the end of, what was then runway 24. By the way, I have seen N707JT whilst on a trip back to New Zealand when we routed via LAX. Great video mate 👏👏👍👍

[@miguelsalami]

Captain Travolta has quite the plane there. That 707 looks better than they did brand new & looks to run better as well. 💙BEAUTIFUL💙

[@Starboard76]

Absolutely!!!

[@westerlywinds5684]

I always thought airliners must retire after so many cycles. This one keep going and is allowed. Why not keep the 747’s flying who are stored in the desert.

[@miguelsalami]

@@westerlywinds5684 This plane was completely restored and is privately owned for recreational purposes

[@pwhit59]

There are alot of actors and actresses that have talent in other areas of life. John flying commerical plane is definitely on my top of the list.

[@Starboard76]

yeah he did!

[@spannaspinna]

Like he says his career is flying acting is his hobby lol

[@adeebjalaludin8718]

Ronald Reagan becoming President was also an achievement for the entertainment industry

[@cynthcorcor126]

Signed maybe

[@postph]

Thanks to John for preserving this great aircraft. After Germany just having scapped the both museum 707, this is the last one in a reasonable condition. John did, what the owners in Berlin and Hamburg were not willing to do.

[@Hopey1231000]

Super nice down to earth guy, spoke with him at a mom and pop restaurant in Ocala and he was just like a normal guy no big head syndrome. Sorry to hear about his wife passing!

[@glennbonfiglio7445]

He very well deserves it, he's a GREAT actor!!!

[@Starboard76]

true exemplar of 'deserves'!

[@glennbonfiglio7445]

Thank you Mr. Barbarino, I mean Mr. Travolta!!

[@BobbyTucker]

@@glennbonfiglio7445, "Vinnie". lol

[@marybelenitchv.118]

IS A SAD DAY TODAY FOR MY LOVED LEGEND TRAVOLTA, WITH HIS WIFE IN THE HEAVEN😢😢.,

[@Starboard76]

Agreed!! My goodness, the personal losses this poor guy has endured! His dear son..now Kelly, what a shame.

[@MrTitan225]

Wow ! thats a Jet ! Boeing 707 .....the Cadillac of the skies ! great taste John ! Be Safe Sir ! Bobby

[@michaelibey6700]

GOOD FOR HIM! Always liked John, good to see his smile!. Being 66, I remember the shrill whistle of the 707 engines, pretty loud, and the black smoke upon takeoff. Plane looks beautiful.

[@Starboard76]

Indeed it did!

[@JIMD6370]

@@Starboard76 when was it retired?

[@SKYKOP1972]

And THAT!!! ladies and gentlemen is what a passenger jet should look and sound like. Loud four engine JT-4 fuel gulping screaming engines, throttles to the stops, heavy smoke belching, and climbing hard like a homesick Angel. Thank you, Mr. Travolta, for maintaining and for donating a great part of aviation's past.

[@gotcha1885]

My business travels took me all over the country and the 707's were my flights to the coast and a Red Eye back to Newark. I loved that plane. Cozier than these new flying barns.

[@Starboard76]

My first long ride on one (as a kid) was across the Pacific and I stayed awake like 95% of the trip peering out my window )looking at blue skies & endless ocean and black starry nights, just mesmerized by the experience, ambiance and listening to JT3Ds hum at cruise - yeah, I was hooked!

[@AD-jz8nw]

GOTCHA18 thank you mr wright how's your brother doing?

[@Parawingdelta2]

They really got the design right. The basic shape and configuration has endured to this day. Looking at that, it could have come from the factory yesterday. I emigrated to Australia on a QANTAS 'V Jet' 707 in the first week of 1970. The aircraft I flew on was VH-EAD 'City of Melbourne' which subsequently served with the Royal Australian Air Force as A20-624. I believe it is still flying as N624RH with Omega Aerial Refueling Services in the United States.

[@westerlywinds5684]

That you remember the registration number and such. Most of us have other things on our mind when leaving what’s familiar behind.

[@Treasureson78RPM]

50s technology but looks like a brand new airliner. Love the screaming sound of those old turbo fans. Thank you John Travolta. A really worthwhile project.

[@Starboard76]

Totally, '50s tech that took mankind from props to jet transport! And Travolta's personal favorite past time restored this icon relighting memories for those (like me) who were there for first hand experiences.

[@wadeconnell1493]

What a beautiful aeroplane....way ahead of its time. Well done, Mr. T.

[@Ziggysr580]

In life your dreams can come true. As long as you put in the time and effort you can accomplish it. Safe travels sir Travolta

[@darringraham2613]

I love and miss the old engine's,The sound, I wish I had friend's like that ✈

[@jasont9907]

You gotta admit those late model massive GE-90s sound brutish too though

[@zahermustapha8311]

Pratt and whitney engines .!

[@mytmousemalibu]

The magnificent, smokey, screaming loud Pratt & Whitney JT3D low-bypass turbofan! My favorite jet engine! I can't get enough of them! Gone from commercial use but the military variant, TF33 is still in active use on the B-52 and some E-3's, and other electronics birds.

[@JPTV-eu7xs]

Worked at an MRO on JT3C, JT3D, JT4A & JT8Ds. 3Ds are great powerplants.

[@mytmousemalibu]

@@JPTV-eu7xs That would have been neat, i like working on as many types as I can. Those old turbojets and early fans had some very unique designs! All the weird ejector nozzles and the sliding nozzle attenuator/thrust reverser setups. We had one of those in my A&P school years ago for a shop aide/demo thing. It was from an early DC-8 with turbojets. It had that distinct housing/stinger that stuck out off the bottom of the whole sliding affair. I think those were JT4A's? Oldest engine I have messed with is a Westinghouse J30 but most of my work is on modern turbofans.

[@ds7900]

It's beautiful. It looks like a sleek new airliner.

[@finallyitsed2191]

I wonder how many people realize just how smart John Travolta has to be. I have an IFR rating in a single engine land airplane and honestly, it took all the gray matter in my skull to do that. I'm way impressed.

[@flugjung]

Finally it's Ed you are right!!! I fly an Embraer 190 for a living and it was the very same to get my ratings! Just imagine all he needed to master all those older 707 systems. Lots of study.

[@AndreaElizabeth100]

John Travolta must be extremely intelligent. He is also an amazing dancer. It is very difficult to dance at that level. He is such a good actor and singer. My heart goes out to him all the loses he has endured. He is like a father figure to us younger generations who grew up with his movies. He is my favourite actor. His films have got me through bad times. People criticise his religion but that is his personal belief. Like I'm a Christian. He grew up Roman Catholic.

[@lynj9088]

Watching this gave me goosebumps. He is such an amazing guy!!

[@johnhennessy7887]

I tended bar at studio 54... John and Jamie Lee where a hot item back then... I remember Jamie telling me one night she joined the mile high club 3 times with John on a flight from Heathrow to JFK on a PanAm 707 ... This is one amazing dude...

[@Starboard76]

I bet I brought a few drinks from you...!

[@johnhennessy7887]

@@Starboard76 not directly for a while... grandfather Maurice bought Moet in the 80s.. then Louis Vuitton merged with us.. LVMH Hennessy.. then we sold majority position to House of Dior... now we just show up for Christmas parties and Kentucky Derby... but I still tend bar on occasion

[@Starboard76]

@@johnhennessy7887 ok, I thought u were a regular..

[@johnhennessy7887]

@@Starboard76Yes, in a fashion..Schrager was my next door neighboor.. we became friends... also I was able to.bring in some European guests.. and I knew Carmen well too... so being one of the Hennessy Cognac heirs it was as a lark I would tend bar on Weekends always pushing the family lable as the perfect nose candy chaser... was there from summer 79 to Feb. 80.

[@lineshaftrestorations7903]

As a kid I lived in the flight path south of the Tulsa, Ok. airport and witnessed many over flights of 707s. Was always facinated by them and others. The sound is unmistakable.

[@coolchef64]

I'm sure I'm not the only one who has said, It's mind-blowing that JT flies his own jetliner. That's absolutely totally Cool! I would love to be a passenger on one of his trips!!🕊️

[@josephgolden1565]

United States Air Force Brigadier General/Bomber Pilot/Actor James Stewart would be very proud of him...and probably would be proud to fly with him... R.I.P.... Rock on Mr. Travolta.

[@wooltweed]

In 1978 spent some time on the coast outside of Athens and used to go to bars in Glyfada which was a short walk from the old airport . Sat outside conversation was often interrupted..stopped...because we couldn’t hear as the Olympic Airways 707’s landed. The noise was sexily loud. 15 years later I flew from Mombasa to Nairobi in a 707 and it was a delicious moment .

[@Starboard76]

I bet it was!

[@Altenholz]

A real classy one back from the 60's, therefore in perfect condition- big like!

[@tallpaull9367]

some people buy a Prius or a Tesla.... then there’s people like John Freakin Travolta

[@chax2004]

And while this was going on Harrison Ford was landing in the employee parking lot.

[@Starboard76]

Mistaking it for a runway, there are pilots ..and then there are actors who play pilots on tv (fake pilots), but there is also that rare few, the one (s) who can bring the reality of their skills full bore, front and center - in real life on stage and in the captain's seat of 707 or a 747! Very rare...like one!

[@pilotnicco]

Only because he couldn't find a golf course hahaha

[@chrispile3878]

Actually, Harrison was in Wichita getting more training at Flight Safety.

[@thoughtful_criticiser]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@ds7900]

Ikr...for a guy who flew the Millenium Falcon, he sure sucks at flying a plane.

[@univibe23]

One of the most beautiful planes ever built!!! The look, the sound, everything! So many childhood memories. My dad's job took us around the world and these planes, the 707 physically did.

[@Starboard76]

Nothing sounds like a 707!

[@coriscotupi]

@@danp576 That very airplane (the "Airport" star) eventually was sold to Transbrasil airlines an sadly crashed into a residential neighborhood just a few seconds short of landing in Sao Paulo, Brazil (Guarulhos airport), wreaking havoc on the streets.

[@moosepasshippie]

Legend has it, he is still taxiing.

[@romangusev13]

Hahaha LAX airport .... With traffic you can sometimes spend 30 minutes taxiing and waiting from the gates to the runway

[@margerymorris7827]

At least John Travolta isn't quarantined. Social Distancing has been working for Royals and Elites for over 1,000 years!

[@salvadorrodenas3071]

It's a waste of money, a private plane would be wiser and would contaminate much less

[@sampielouw]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@shaf3006]

@@salvadorrodenas3071 ,certainly for people who don't have the money

[@gerrycarmichael1391]

Every dog within 100 miles was howling!

[@paulsharp6559]

707 was my first time Flying. It was beautiful.

[@gerrycarmichael1391]

Gotta love those old low bypass engines! Every dog for 100 miles howling and broken China from LAX to the coast!

[@TJK152]

cant wait when john Travolta gets this 707 flying again.

[@kalrobbins2811]

It was pretty cool to watch Travolta fly it!

[@bebo5558]

I'm not saying he couldn't or wasn't flying it, but how do you know he "was actually" flying it? There were at least 5 guys in that cockpit?

[@kalrobbins2811]

@Hammerschlägen M Well, being a gay man, I hope he is not! But in any account, he looked like he was having a great time and had the look of total contentment.

[@stanleydavis7904]

Sorry for all your losses sir god bless

[@robyoungquist5803]

The 707 Still holds a special place in my ❤️ along with the DC-8. 👍🏻

[@kyotokid4]

...same here, used to fly on the 320-B/C series on Northwest regularly. Love the sound of those four JT-3Ds spooling up for takeoff. Before Northwest received the 707 320 series, they operated the DC-8 "Intercontinental" on their " Great Circle" Trans Pacific routes. A couple years later the 8s were relegated to to domestic service after the 707s went into service for about tow years there were a couple flights between my hometown of Milwaukee and New York on the 8s before they were sold and replaced with 720-Bs for domestic service (another favourite). Yeah those were the days when the "big jets", 707s, 720s DC-8s DC-8 Supers, 880s, 990s, VC-10s, and the first 747s ruled the skies.

[@steveb7310]

Rob Youngquist yeah, I flew on a lot of Air Canada stretched DC-8s & 9s back in the ‘70s. DC-8 was my fave,never flew on a 707 though.

[@flybyairplane3528]

kyotokid4 hello, most people would not notice the difference between aB07 & aB 720, I used to ly on LUFTHANSA B707 DAYS from IDELWILD. ( KJFK NOW ) to KINGSTON JAMAICA THEY stopped flying to KIN, after rape flight attendants , the go now through PR, down all the way to LA PAZ BOLIVIA, , then back with the route, to FRANKURT A MAIN . CHEERS FROM NJ USA🇩🇪🇺🇸

[@nancyhobson9710]

Agree with the previous comment and just add that the gent has a nice smile.

[@dougthegreat1808]

From Saturday Night Fever to owning and flying personally a 707, ONLY IN AMERICA.....

[@davehughesfarm7983]

The Journey from nothing to bug actor is crazier..

[@Starboard76]

@@davehughesfarm7983 a bug actor where the line to switch places with him is light years longer than those who would not.

[@jayyoung4534]

@Doug...And I love it.

[@tallpaull9367]

some people buy a Prius or a Tesla.... then there’s people like John Freakin Travolta

[@dougthegreat1808]

@@tallpaull9367 what has John Travolta done to you personally????????

[@DragerPilot]

Not just a commercial pilot, but a multi-typed ATP. That’s Airline Transport Pilot. Few people who are not professional full-time pilots have this rating.

[@briangallant5973]

Met him in Bangor when he couldn’t get in to Owls Head. Nice guy!

[@kellyjohnson9394]

That is a pretty jet! 💯

[@TakeDeadAim]

He flew it into Oshkosh a few years ago. I was standing at Aeroshell square when he taxiied it in. I forgot just how loud those things were.

[@maxklein3853]

Whow! Travolta for President! Make our Airlines great again!

[@rezkinginternational]

John Travolta, you are my image a a man with total success, and living a beautiful dream in every way. I envy you so much. Thank you for displaying the destination of true hard work, and determination to have a wonderful life to be proud of.

[@barkz2265]

went from Sydney to Perth on to joberg on the Qantas 707 what a trip love the Smokey 707 the 747 was just starting flying then

[@Starboard76]

Where were your stops enroute?

[@trob0914]

All the new breed of airliners are quieter and more efficient, however these old boys are so majestic!👍🇺🇸

[@Starboard76]

Only those who lived it, flew on them, saw them by spotting them...get that!

[@trob0914]

@@Starboard76 Lots of time flying these, DC 8s( Stretch 8s included) and tons of hours on older KX135s!! Thx Again, Travolta is a wealthy/ lucky guy to own & fly this type of A/C!!!

[@Oldlionel]

I worked at Teterboro Airport in North Jersey for years. In the early 80s John would visit our facility. He owned a Cessna 210, a Citation, and a DC3. In the early 90s he came in again in a Lear 25. I got his auto graph that night. Super nice guy.

[@Starboard76]

Awesome...where was your video camera??? ...lol, just kidding man! Thanks for checking it out!

[@randybaumery5090]

I saw him on Welcome Back Kotter. I saw him get more famous from Saturday Night Fever and Grease. I never DREAMED I would see him pilot a Boeing 707 and park the thing in his driveway!!!!!

[@richardschindler8822]

The BEST pane ever. It now resides at HARS in Australia. Hope they keep her in top condition.

[@chuckkirkpatrick6712]

My respect for the DC-8 increased a thousandfold when I learned of the water landing one made at SFO years ago. That aircraft contacted the water at 135 mph with GEAR DOWN. All aboard survived and the plane was repaired and put back into service!!!

[@lysanderspooner4143]

A gorgeous machine from a better, vanished time...

[@Starboard76]

The machine that took us from propliners...

[@MrTitan225]

Had to watch again ....this is a great vid of taxi and take off ! Thank you for posting ! Bobby

[@Starboard76]

Awesome Bobby! Glad to share it! I actually have plenty more I may upload at a later date!

[@mattbartley2843]

@@Starboard76 How did you get all that "following along" taxiing footage?

[@markfulwell4256]

Beautiful!

[@airzulu2733]

I remember when it turned up at Luton uk . And had the pleasure of meeting mr Travolta and having coffee onboard .

[@johnharris7353]

Here's a guy who really wanted to be a pilot! Luv the smoky, loud 707!

[@Sarah-hh5pt]

Exciting, wonderful, beautiful....love it...

[@waynesilva3129]

I have never been jealous of someone that has a nice plane or a passage maker. I envy them that they are out having fun rather than spending the weekend with the telly going.

[@MrTitan225]

Fabulous Vid ! Thank you so much ! Bobby

[@Starboard76]

Thanks for looking in Bobby!

[@elianaconsultorahinode3356]

John Travolta um cara incrível, cantor ,ator ,piloto do seu próprio avião . Que Deus continue te abençoando sempre 🇺🇸🇧🇷😘

[@elfriedem.5403]

Wow, was für ein cooler Typ doch John Travolta ist. Find ich klasse👍👍👍

[@RichDavey]

JT does seem like a real down to earth guy. Good on him piloting his own aircraft. As well as a great actor obviously very intelligent. Well done 👍

[@Ralphie_Boy]

*What a kickass surprise 😲 after landing seeing Capt. John Travolta walking out of the cabin!* 🤣👍

[@Jetjourney]

just beautiful!

[@josecapablanca2351]

I was lucky to tour the interior of JT's plane while it was getting a B check at Commercial Air at MIA. At the time I was a firefighter at MIA and after seeing it fly in numerous times finally got to go inside and check it out. Wood paneling walls, some mirrored and a stereo system on the headboard of the bed. Not as lavish inside as I thought it be. But a beautiful plane it is. Conserved very well.

[@LOLmusics]

John and his 707 is like a boy and his dog! Awesome relationship right there!

[@zcdel9192]

Godspeed, John!

[@georgegagnon4566]

Flew to and from Vietnam in 1970 in a 707. Quite the plane. Well done John.

[@Starboard76]

Where'd you stop? Hickam, Yokota, Kadena, Osan or Clark en route..or any combination. I saw tons coming thru Kadena.

[@georgegagnon4566]

@@Starboard76 started New Jersey, Oakland, Alaska(overnight) engine troubles), Okinawa and onward to Nam. coming home it was japan, Alaska,San Francisco and flew a 747 home to JFK.

[@TheKurtsPlaceChannel]

Great video. Thanks for posting this. Have a nice day.

[@karentaylor9314]

So exciting watching john travolta

[@billace90]

Sweet!!!! As a boomer, flew PanAm 707’s for many years.

[@billneal8995]

First jet I ever flew in 707. Great airplane!😊

[@JA-pb7oz]

Such a lovely looking aircraft.

[@gusm5128]

QANTAS .. Queensland And Northern Territory Air Service . Beautiful jet . We love ya John from down under !

[@Windows98R]

I still remember when my parents jokingly told me that there was a dude who had a plane in his backyard. I figured out it was real a couple days later and it was him.

[@frankguyton9596]

My favorite Airplane I got to see him and his plane 2012 in Atlanta when he was there to make a movie.

[@adeebjalaludin8718]

So cool!

[@Starboard76]

Sooooo very cool!

[@Paul-kw1og]

Love the 707 sound.

[@RuiPlaneSpotter]

Fantastic! ❤️

[@janetbenning2645]

Awesome video. So sorry for you and the loss of yourwife,Stay safe..

[@jeffcrampton4771]

God Bless you John and your family

[@steveseifer6784]

My first true to life model airplane was a 707, then the 727

[@chamobarreto4092]

So beautiful!!!!! ❤️😍

[@sandylorenzo3682]

I love.707,✈️✈️✈️😍😍😍😍,good takeoff

[@vettebecker1]

Very cool

[@wilmerlopez9527]

Gracias por el video de ese actor es un capo

[@gabbyhyman1246]

Great retro livery!

[@Starboard76]

No question about it!

[@jayrenner211]

I went to a school just to the north of the North Runway at Atlanta. These things were so LOUD! We would have to stop and wait for the 707, DC-8s and such just to be able to hear the teacher. The 747s sounded like an beautiful organ compared to these screech owls!

[@peterkirgan2921]

As my sister would say he is John Revolting ! Lol but what a lovely airplane!!! It's beautiful!!!

[@peterleiza4351]

Sweet aircraft..

[@douglasdunn7267]

Great Bird!!!! More power to him!!