Travolta to jet into Heathrow

Travolta has earned his golden wings

Actor John Travolta is due to land his luxury Boeing 707 at Heathrow Airport as he touches down in the UK as part of his world flying tour.

The star of Pulp Fiction and Saturday Night Fever is piloting his own passenger jet on a mission to promote air travel.

He has taken actress wife Kelly Preston and their two children - Jett, 10, and Ella, two, on the round-the-world trip, as he acts as an ambassador-at-large for Qantas airline.

He has already travelled to New Zealand, Australia, Singapore and Japan on the Spirit of Friendship trip.

Having had a keen interest in flying since the age of 16, Travolta undertook a training course with Qantas.

The actor said it was "one of the proudest days of my life" when he was presented with the golden wings that made him a jet pilot, and it meant as much to him as his two Oscar nominations.

The star has clocked up 5,000 flying hours in 20 years

After completing the training he announced he would fly around the world with the aim of reaching across continents with friendship after the attacks on the US on 11 September.

His Boeing 707 has been decorated with the original 1960s livery of Qantas, at the request of Travolta, and the inside has been fitted with a double bed, shower, kitchen and leather sofas.

He has chartered his own crew and stewards to accompany him on his three-month jaunt.

Travolta earned his jet pilot's licence in 1981 and has flown for a total of 5,000 hours.

"Besides my serious attitude toward flying, I have to admit something to all of you - I am an airline geek," he said.

He named his son Jett - but said his wife Kelly Preston would not let him call their daughter Qantas.