Airlines President Colleen Barrett, NBA Commissioner David Stern, NBA legends Bill Russell, Dominique Wilkins, Clyde Drexler, Bob Lanier, Bill Walton, and George Gervin and WNBA legend Rebecca Lobo. The first and only other customized Southwest plane dedicated to a marketing partner honors Shamu of Sea World fame, and has been in service since 1988. Southwest also has a fleet of six specialty aircraft dedicated to various states and one dedicated to Ronald McDonald House.
The only plane of its kind in all of sports, Slam Dunk One is emblazoned with an NBA basketball going through a basketball hoop on the forward portion of the fuselage. The ball is trailed by an orange wave that starts from the back of the plane making it appear as if it is being shot into the basket. Slam Dunk One is emblazoned on the nose of the plane. The plane has a customized interior with each of the 30 NBA team logos adorning the overhead compartments and a custom windscreen featuring a panel commemorating today the date of the aircraft's maiden flight. The NBA and Southwest Airlines expanded their marketing partnership in July, and Slam Dunk One is the first product of the broader relationship. The multi-year agreement establishes new community outreach efforts and increases Southwest advertising through NBA media to reach the league's loyal base of trendsetting fans.
Following its trip to Los Angeles, Slam Dunk One will go into regular rotation throughout Southwest's 61-city network. The special plane also will be used in ongoing charitable activities and special events conducted by the NBA and Southwest.
"The rare step of creating a specialty airplane with a partner demonstrates our strong commitment to the NBA partnership," said Barrett. "This partnership provides us with unique opportunities to convey our spirit and pride to our Customers through a subject they feel passionate about ... NBA basketball."
The only plane of its kind in all of sports, Slam Dunk One is emblazoned with an NBA basketball going through a basketball hoop on the forward portion of the fuselage. The ball is trailed by an orange wave that starts from the back of the plane making it appear as if it is being shot into the basket. Slam Dunk One is emblazoned on the nose of the plane. The plane has a customized interior with each of the 30 NBA team logos adorning the overhead compartments and a custom windscreen featuring a panel commemorating today the date of the aircraft's maiden flight. The NBA and Southwest Airlines expanded their marketing partnership in July, and Slam Dunk One is the first product of the broader relationship. The multi-year agreement establishes new community outreach efforts and increases Southwest advertising through NBA media to reach the league's loyal base of trendsetting fans.
Following its trip to Los Angeles, Slam Dunk One will go into regular rotation throughout Southwest's 61-city network. The special plane also will be used in ongoing charitable activities and special events conducted by the NBA and Southwest.
"The rare step of creating a specialty airplane with a partner demonstrates our strong commitment to the NBA partnership," said Barrett. "This partnership provides us with unique opportunities to convey our spirit and pride to our Customers through a subject they feel passionate about ... NBA basketball."
