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This is the  Tribute to a Champion  category
~ Latest liveries first ~

Vince Carter 15

Vince Carter  
15
C-GUPG A220-371 Air Canada  [+] 2024-25

Celebrating Toronto Raptors player Vince Carter's number 15 jersey retirement. He entertained crowds with his leaping ability and slam dunks in the early 2000s, sometimes earning the nickname "Air Canada". At the time Air Canada was also the Raptors' inaugural naming sponsor of the stadium.

Image  © 
Tags   Basketball, Tribute to a Champion

Dream Sho Jet

Dream Sho Jet  
Sport
JA08XJ A350-941 JAL  [+] 2024-

The two sides are different and show MLB Los Angeles Dodgers' player Shohei Ohtani. This project is part of the "Dream Miles Pass" initiative at JAL which sees the airline provide air tickets to young people who are chasing their dreams, in sport but also music and other arts.

Expected livery removal date : March 2026

Image  ©  Hajime Suzuki (HND)
Tags   Baseball, Initiative, Tribute to a Champion

Russell Wilson #5

Russell Wilson  
#5
Sport
N296AK B737-990ER Alaska Airlines 2021-22

Seattle Seahawks' quarterback Russell Wilson was once again featured on an Alaska Airlines plane during the 21/22 season. Wilson is also an Alaska Airlines spokesman, dubbed their "Chief Football Officer". Football fans who wear a Russell Wilson No. 3 jersey or a limited edition Alaska's Russell Wilson shirt could board early for all Seattle (SEA) and Everett (PAE) departing flights for the duration of the football season.

Image  ©  Peach Air (ATL)
Tags   American Football, Tribute to a Champion

Russell Wilson #4 - Dream Big. | Fly High.

Russell Wilson - Dream Big. | Fly High.  
#4
Sport
N288AK B737-990ER Alaska Airlines 2019-20

In celebration of the regular season opener and Seattle Seahawks' quarterback, Alaska Airlines unveiled a new Russell Wilson plane. Wilson is also an Alaska Airlines spokesman, dubbed their "Chief Football Officer". This 4th aircraft featured his signature tagline, “Dream Big. (port side) Fly High. (starboard side)”

Image  ©  Royal S King (SEA)
Tags   American Football, Tribute to a Champion

Russell Wilson #3

Russell Wilson  
#3
Sport
N536AS B737-890 Alaska Airlines 2018-19

In celebration of the 2018 regular season opener and Seattle Seahawks' quarterback, Alaska Airlines unveiled a new Russell Wilson plane. Wilson is also an Alaska Airlines spokesman, dubbed their "Chief Football Officer". Note both sides had different decals of the player.

Image  © 
Tags   American Football, Tribute to a Champion

Kevin Durant

Kevin Durant  
Sport
N280AK B737-990ER Alaska Airlines 2018-19

A tribute to basketball player Kevin Durant from the Oakland-based Golden State Warriors as the team was in the final stages of the NBA Finals in 2018.

Image  ©  Royal S King (SEA)
Tags   Basketball, Tribute to a Champion

Ayrton Senna Sempre - Senninha

Ayrton Senna Always   Sempre
Ayrton Senna Institute   Instituto Ayrton Senna - Senninha
Ent., Initiatives
PR-AYU EMB-195AR Azul Helmet+TAP & Instituto Senna logos 2014-18
EMB-195AR Azul Helmet+Senninha decal 2018-19
PR-AUI EMB-195AR Azul Senninha decal 2019

In order to celebrate the legacy of F1 pilot Ayrton Senna, Azul teamed up with the charity directed by her sister & TAP Engineering, 20 years after the death of the triple F1 world champion. The nose of the aircraft was painted in Senna’s helmet colours.

In 2018 the rear decals were replaced by a "Senninha" sticker. Senninha is a comic book character inspired by the famous driver. PR-AYU was withdrawn from service in early 2019 and thus PR-AUI gained the Senninha decals, albeit without the iconic helmet.

Image  ©  Jaka
Tags   Cartoon & Anime, Charity, Tribute to a Champion

Go Russell! #2

Go Russell!  
#2
3 - Nonstop Dedication | Champions Never Rest
Sport
N453AS B737-990ER Alaska Airlines 2014-20

After the match the decals were changed to a blue ribbon with «Nonstop Dedication» titles on the port side and «Champions never rest» titles on the starboard side. Winglet markings were also modified.

Images  ©  Martin Krause & G-AZZD (LAX)
Tags   American Football, Tribute to a Champion

Go Russell! #1

Go Russell!  
#1
3
Sport
N453AS B737-990ER Alaska Airlines 2014

As a Seattle Seahawks’ supporter, Alaska encouraged Russell Wilson, the team’s quarterback, for the 2014 Superbowl (which they won). Wilson is also an Alaska Airlines spokesman. After the match the decals were modified (see #2).

Image  ©  Gail Snyder (SFO)
Tags   American Football, Tribute to a Champion

Thank You Captain Park

Thank You Captain Park   영원한 캡틴 박지성
Sports
9M-XXO » HS-XTC A330-343 AirAsia X » Thai AirAsia X  [+] 2014-17

A trubute to South Korean national soccer team captain Park Ji-Sung. Korean titles on the starboard side. The aircraft was transferred to the Thai subsidiary in February 2015.

Images  ©  Tony Haynes (ADL)
Tags   National Football Team, Tribute to a Champion

Thai Fight

Thai Fight  
King of Muay Thai
Sports
HS-ABK A320-216 Thai AirAsia  [+] 2013-14

Featuring Buakaw Banchamek aka Buakhao («White Lotus» in Thai), King Of Muay Thai or Thai boxing. Note the two image decals were different.

Images  ©  Globespotter (DMK) & Amarase Pamarapa (UBP)
Tags   Combat Sports, Tribute to a Champion

Lorenzo’s Land

Lorenzo’s Land  
 
Entertainment & Events
EC-JNF B737-85P Air Europa  [+] 2010-14

Celebrating Jorge Lorenzo’s 2010 MotoGP World Championship. The two sides were different.

Image  ©  Terry Wade (LGW)
Tags   Motorsports, Tribute to a Champion

Kim Clijsters

Kim Clijsters  
OO-TCN A320-232 Thomas Cook Belgium  [+] 2010

Featuring Belgian tennis player Kim Clijsters.

Image  ©  Kevin Cleynhens (BRU)
Tags   Tennis, Tribute to a Champion

Follow Apolo to Hawaii

Follow Apolo to Hawaii  
#2
alaskaair.com/Apolo
Sport
N568AS B737-890 Alaska Airlines 2010

Apolo Ohno is an American short track speed skating competitor and an eight-time Olympic medalist. He is the most decorated American Winter Olympic athlete of all time. He was born in Washington state, where Alaska Airlines is partly based.

This follow-up livery was launched when the airline expanded services to Hawaii with links between San Jose and Sacramento in California and Kahului and Kona in Hawaii in March 2010.

Image  ©  Andrew W. Sieber (SEA)
Tags   Tribute to a Champion, Winter Sports

Follow Apolo #1

Follow Apolo  
#1
alaskaair.com/Apolo
Sport
N596AS B737-890 Alaska Airlines 2009-10

Apolo Ohno is an American short track speed skating competitor and an eight-time Olympic medalist. He is the most decorated American Winter Olympic athlete of all time. He was born in Washington state, where Alaska Airlines is partly based.

Image  © 
Tags   Tribute to a Champion, Winter Sports

AirTranica

AirTranica  
N971AT B717-2BD AirTran 2008

AirTran celebrated Danica Patrick's first IndyCar Series win with this special logojet. The decal was the same on both sides, however the port side had standard "AirTran" titles.

Images  ©  Bob Garrard (BWI & DCA)
Tags   Motorsports, Tribute to a Champion

Congratulations

Congratulations  
Anja Pärson - World Champion 2001
HB-ISX MD-83 Crossair 2001

Celebrating the 2001 World title of Swedish skier Anja Pärson. Quite surprisingly Crossair was a partner of the Swedish Alpine Ski Team. Short-lived decals on the port side only.

Image  ©  Propfreak (ZRH)
Tags   Tribute to a Champion, Winter Sports

Flying with the best

Flying with the best   A la hauteur des meilleurs
The Spirit of Donovan Bailey   En hommage à D. Bailey
C-FBEG B767-233ER Air Canada  [+] 1996-98

Donovan Bailey is a Canadian sprinter, who once held the world record for the 100 metres race following his gold medal performance in the 1996 Olympic Games. This performance made a lot of noise in Canada and Air Canada unveiled this tribute livery on October 29, 1996. Titles in French on the port side and in English on the starboard side.

Images  ©  Reinhard Zinabold Collection (YYZ) & Wingnut (LHR)
Tags   Tribute to a Champion