John Travolta arrived at Cannes the only way that really made sense, he flew there himself.
The 72-year-old actor and lifelong aviation enthusiast piloted his own plane to the French Riviera for the world premiere of Propel One-Way Night Coachhis directorial debut, which he also wrote, narrated and produced.
He documented the journey in a video shared on Instagram on Friday, May 15, in which he and his daughter Ella, 26, who stars in the film, prepare to board his plane on the runway.
Travolta has always been a showman, and he is fully committed to the moment.
“Ladies and gentlemen, this is your captain speaking,” he announced from the pilot’s seat before takeoff.
“Our flight time tonight to Nice, France is eight hours and 45 minutes. Sit back, enjoy the flight and the champagne is on me.”
It was a fitting theatrical entry for a film so rooted in his love of flying.
Propel One-Way Night Coach is adapted from Travolta’s own 1997 illustrated book of the same name, and tells the story of a cross-country flight to Hollywood that turns into the trip of a lifetime, complete with unexpected layovers, colorful passengers and a prime glimpse into the golden age of air travel.
The film stars Ella Bleu alongside Clark Shotwell, Kelly Eviston-Quinnett and Olga Hoffmann, and is narrated by Travolta himself.
Aviation has been a constant in Travolta’s life long before Hollywood made him a household name.
He has held a pilot’s license since the age of 22 and is qualified to fly several aircraft, including the Boeing 747, 707 and 737, as well as luxury jets such as the Bombardier Global Express.
He has also served as an ambassador for Qantas Airways since 2002.
The Fat and Pulp Fiction star is the father of three children with his late wife Kelly Preston, who died in 2020 aged 57.
The couple also lost their son Jett, who died aged 16 in 2009. Ella and youngest son Benjamin, 15, remain by his side.
Propel One-Way Night Coach will have its world premiere on Apple TV on May 29.
