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.
Name: Luke Mangan
Occupation: Chef/Restaurateur
Hometown: Melbourne, Australia
Residence: Sydney, Australia
College: St. Leo’s College, Box Hill, Melbourne
Website: lukemangan.com
Twitter: @LukeMangan
Facebook: Luke Mangan
Instagram: lukewmangan
YouTube: Luke Mangan
Short bio: Luke Mangan is a leading Australian restaurateur and chef, whose influence on the food and wine industry can been found across five countries, 19 different restaurants as well in the air on Virgin Australia Business Class and at sea, on board five P&O cruise ships.
Internationally regarded as a leading example of Australia’s culinary culture, Luke’s restaurants range from casual to fine dining establishments and share a consistent philosophy of showcasing the relationship between Australia’s finest ingredients in a clean and contemporary manner. As co-founder of Australia’s largest hospitality awards program, the Appetite for Excellence program, Luke is also extremely passionate about promoting and enabling the development of young chefs, waiters and restaurateurs in Australia. From a family of seven boys who grew up in Melbourne, today Luke resides in Sydney yet is constantly found travelling to visit his restaurants, staff and customers from around the world.
How often do you fly? At least three times a month (domestic and international).
How many countries have you been to? 20+
How many continents have you been to? All bar Antarctica & Africa.
Earliest travel memory: A cruise with my parents to Fiji.
Favorite American city: New York City.
Favorite international city: New York and Tokyo.
Least favorite country: I am yet to find one.
I have no desire to go to: Cambodia.
Friendliest people in the world: Bali, Indonesia.
Country with the meanest immigration officers: Italy, but once you start talking to them they loosen up a little!
Favorite World Heritage Site: Sydney Opera House.
Favorite airline: Virgin Australia.
Favorite aircraft type: Boeing 777.
Aisle or window: Aisle.
Favorite airport lounge: Any/all Virgin Australia lounges.
Favorite U.S. airport: LAX International Airport.
Favorite international airport: Sydney.
Favorite hotel: Il San Pietro, Positano.
Favorite cruise line: P&O Cruises/Carnival Cruises and Seaborne.
Favorite travel credit card: American Express.
Favorite island: Maldives.
Favorite beach: Bondi Beach, Sydney.
Favorite National Park: Yosemite National Park.
Favorite fancy restaurant: Del Posto, New York.
Favorite hole-in-the-wall: Izakayas in Tokyo.
Favorite airport restaurant: Coast Café, Sydney International Airport.
Favorite bar: Bridge Bar, Sydney International Airport.
Favorite fruit: Mango.
Favorite food: Japanese.
Least favorite food: Raw onion.
Drink of choice (in the air and on the ground): Gin & tonic or Chardonnay.
Favorite travel movie(s): The Hundred-Foot Journey and Exotic Marigold Hotel.
Favorite travel show(s): Anything by Rick Stein.
Favorite travel book(s): Not sure if this counts as a travel book but I love “Where Chefs Eat: A Guide to Chefs’ Favourite Restaurants” around the world.
Right now I am reading: “Muhammad Ali, A Memoir” by Michael Parkinson.
Top 3 favorite travel newsletters/magazines/blogs: Gourmet Traveller magazine (Australia); Travel + Leisure magazine; the Australian newspaper, Travel section
Favorite travel website(s)—besides JohnnyJet.com, of course! Traveller.com.au, Travelandleisure.com
5 things you bring on a plane: iPad, magazines/newspapers to catch up on reading, sleeping tablet, hand sanitizer, pajama pants for long haul.
What do you always seem to forget? My toothbrush.
What do you like least about travel? Waiting for luggage, I am so impatient -I try to take only hand luggage when I can.
What do you want your loved one to buy you from an airport Duty Free store? A decent bottle of gin.
Favorite travel app(s): XE Currency Convertor and SkyScanner.
Most embarrassing travel moment: Being woken up in Sydney by an air hostess after the flight had landed.
I’m embarrassed I haven’t been to: My own countries’ capital state.
Worst travel moment: I’m yet to have one but I am sure it’s only a matter of time! Sometimes the getting lost, delays, bad hotel choices are the best travel stories.
What’s your dream destination? I’m looking forward to travelling to Bora Bora this year.
Favorite travel charity: I don’t have one.
Best travel tip: When boarding a flight, my ritual is a glass of wine and a meal, a good movie and then sleep!
