Want to know how to travel in style, just like the pros? We check in with frequent fliers to find out how often they fly, their favorite destinations and what they never leave home without.

John Blanchette

Name: John Blanchette

Occupation: Syndicated Travel Writer, Publicist and TV Producer

Hometown: Sudbury, Massachusetts

Residence: Santa Monica, CA

Short Bio: I began my career as an editor at Harvard University Press following attainment of Bachelors and Masters degrees in English Literature (Harvard University, Boston College) and a Masters Degree in Anglo-Irish Studies (University/Trinity College, Dublin Ireland).

After two years I relocated to San Francisco where I was an editor for the Sierra Club Bulletin for three years. I then received a degree in College Administration (Indiana University). I worked as Student Activities Director at Indiana University, where I was bitten by the entertainment bug and relocated to Los Angeles to do it for real and enter “The Business.” I worked in the Public Affairs office at California State Northridge and earned a Masters Degree in Mass Communications, eventually landing a job as an entertainment publicist.

How often do you fly: Monthly

How many countries have you been to: 15 years of travel writing, 10 countries a year, plus past travel, 200

How many continents have you been to: All except Antartica, which I never expect to visit, and Africa

Favorite American city: Santa Monica year round, Boston any time but winter

Favorite international city: Dublin, Ireland

Least favorite country: Don’t have one

Favorite World Heritage Site: Vienna Opera House

Favorite airline: Swiss, Air Berlin

Favorite aircraft type: 330

Aisle or window: Window, I can sleep without anyone crawling over me.

Favorite airport lounge: Bangkok and Munich

Favorite U.S. airport: Long Beach

Favorite international airport: Zurich

Favorite hotel: Kempenski Bangkok and Ritz Paris

Favorite cruise line: Cunard

Favorite island: Tasmania

Favorite fancy restaurant: Grange in Adelaide, Australia

Favorite hole in the wall: Sausage shop in Zurich Vorderer Sternen Grill

Favorite fruit: Rainier Cherries and Crenshaw Mellon

Favorite food: Shell Fish

Least favorite food: Tie between Durian and Dulse, both are foul.

Drink of choice (In the air and on the ground) Gin Tonic

Favorite travel movie(s): Casablanca

 Favorite travel show(s): Rudy Maxa

Favorite travel book(s): Lonely Planet

Right now I am reading: Shakespeare’s Sonnets

Five things you bring on a plane: Airborne, headsets, camera, phone and passport

What do you always seem to forget: Mouthwash

What do you want your loved one to buy you from an airport duty free store? Scotch

Most embarrassing/worst travel moment: Arriving at 6 a.m. for a 9 a.m. flight from LAX to Iceland via New York and not making the plane due to the ineptness of United Air Lines staff who had one person at the ticket counter until 8:05 a.m. and a line of 200 headed to Singapore, most with multiple bags, ahead of me, and the staff would not help me make my plane. I will never knowingly fly United again.

What’s your dream destination: A Cunard Cruise of the Mediteranean

Favorite travel website(s) – besides JohnnyJet.com, of course!: Travelmedia.com

Best travel tip: Make copies of all you important wallet items including ID, Credit Cards, Medical Insurance, etc., and your Passport and permanently carry the sheet in your briefcase in case of misfortune.

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2 Comments On "Travel Style: John Blanchette"
  1. Annette Brown|

    Hi John,

    I wanted to email you an invitation to Temecula Valley CRUSH event on Saturday, September 19th as part of our Temecula Valley Wine Month celebration. If you are available, I would love to send you an invitation.

    Annette Brown
    Marketing & PR Manager
    Visit Temecula Valley

    1. Johnny Jet|

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