Travolta flies for Qantas

Travolta is embarking on a "Friendship Tour" for Qantas airlines.

(CNN) -- Actor John Travolta -- an experienced private pilot -- has agreed to fly his Boeing 707 around the world in eight weeks to promote Australia's Qantas airline.

"As a kid I'd collect all the history of airlines," said Travolta, 48, who shot to stardom in 1977's Saturday Night Fever. Qantas "just seemed to stand out."

Qantas -- an acronym for the oldest airline in the English-speaking world -- was originally called Queensland and Northern Territory Aerial Service.

In fact, Travolta's 707 was actually in service for Qantas in the 1960s. "I don't have my business card, but I do have my Qantas license and Qantas wings," Travolta said.

The star of Pulp Fiction, Swordfish and Urban Cowboy said one reason he undertook the job was to help to restore a sense of security and goodwill in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks.

Travolta, who has a son named Jet, said the position includes compensation. "I have a small salary, which is fine with me," he said. "I'd have paid them to do this."

The trip -- dubbed the Spirit of Friendship Tour -- stops at 13 cities including Hong Kong, China; Tokyo, Japan; London, England; New York and Los Angeles, California.

In September of 1999, Travolta's 707 made an emergency landing at Boston, Massachusetts', Logan International Airport, according to an airport spokesman. It was unclear if Travolta was piloting the plane at the time.

One the aircraft's four engines had overheated and shut down. No injuries were reported and the airport said Travolta immediately continued his journey from Los Angeles to Bangor, Maine, in another plane.