As we were taxiing out to runway 1R at SFO, I saw the splendid blue tail of an aircraft I didn’t quite recognize. The rest of the plane was obscured, but as we moved farther away its identity was revealed. It was quite possibly the most beautiful thing I’d ever seen (aside from the Aloha Airlines Funbird, may she rest in peace) and I almost peed my pants with excitement (ok, not really, but I was pretty excited). So what was this plane I spotted? It was none other than the brand new Alaska Airlines Spirit of the Islands.
Spirit of the Islands at SFO
Last year Alaska Airlines held a “Paint the Plane” contest for students in Hawaii to design a special livery that best represented the spirit of the 50th state. A high school senior by the name of Aaron Nee won and on June 3rd his plane was unveiled to the world during a special ceremony in Honolulu.
My family and I were traveling from San Francisco to Seattle to Anchorage last Sunday, and as fate would have it, so was Spirit of the Islands! I got pictures at both SFO and SEA, but by the time we made it to ANC, she had already come and gone (we were on United). If you think I was excited when I first saw her at SFO, you should have been around at SEA when I realized that the plane had followed us there and was now parked at the North Terminal. It only got worse when I looked up on the monitors and found out she was going to Anchorage, just like us! True confessions of an #avgeek. I admit I’m a sucker for special liveries, but this one was a lot prettier in person than I imagined. It was a thrill to spot and photograph this beauty and it definitely has me looking forward to my next trip on Alaska Airlines, hopefully on board Spirit of the Islands. Aloha ‘Oe and until we meet again…
Look Who I Found Hiding Out at Gate N9!
She’s Going to Anchorage Just Like Us! #avgeek
N560AS Taxiing at SEA
Until We Meet Again…Aloha and Farewell!