Allegiant unveils Raiders-themed plane in Las Vegas
The Raiders will be able to fly into enemy territory even when they’re not playing one of their NFL rivals.
Las Vegas-based Allegiant Air unveiled its Raiders themed plane Wednesday at McCarran International Airport, decked out in silver and black with the Raiders’ infamous pirate logo on the tail of the plane and “Raider Nation” featured on the aircraft’s engine cowlings.
Allegiant is a founding and naming rights partner of the Raiders and the $2 billion Allegiant Stadium. The airline debuted a Golden Knights-themed plane in 2019.
Painted in Victorville, California, the process took about a week to complete, with the metallic silver made to closely match the team’s helmets.
“It’s incredible because we’ve been proud to showcase their name on the building (Allegiant Stadium),” said Dan Ventrelle, Raiders president. Noting that the team will kick off its second season in Las Vegas — but first season with fans in the stadium — on Monday, Ventrelle said “It seemed like the perfect time to reciprocate and showcase our brand on their product.
“To have it displayed on an aircraft like this is really a good opportunity for us to showcase how great this partnership is,” he added.
The aircraft has been in operation for a week, already traveling through multiple cities. Being able to have the team’s representation throughout the year is a plus, according to Scott DeAngelo, chief marketing officer with Allegiant.
“It can fly to any of 63 places and I would suspect it may make a trip to Kansas City, Chicago Midway,” DeAngelo said. “It’s been in service less than a week and it’s already gone to 12 different markets. It’s already working hard.”
The blending of a partnership, with the @Raiders branded plane in the foreground and Allegiant Stadium in the background. #vegas #raiders #raidernation #stadium @Allegiant pic.twitter.com/6US94yLlpm
— Mick Akers (@mickakers) September 8, 2021
The event Wednesday had a Silver and Black feel to it as Raiders alumni and the Raiderettes also attended. Clark County Department of Aviation Director Rosemary Vassiliadis noted the significance of the continued evolution of sports marketing with the hometown airline.
“This shows that this town is in a phenomenal evolution,” Vassiliadis said. “Who ever thought that Las Vegas was going to have all these sports teams? … We’re looking forward to seeing it in the sky, they tell me it will be roaring in the Autumn Wind and signaling the return of football, with fans, to our community.”
Contact Mick Akers at makers@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2920. Follow @mickakers on Twitter.
