Vueling unveils Athletic Club's plane for trip to Istanbul

This Tuesday, Vueling and Athletic Club unveiled the Lions' new personalised plane, which features the club's crest and images of the players. It will get its first outing soon when the team travels to Istanbul to face Fenerbahçe SK in the Europa League.

This is the first time that Athletic has had its own plane. The aircraft sports a design bearing photos Iñaki and Nico Williams, Oscar de Marcos, Dani Vivian, Oihan Sancet and Unai Simón, combined the club's colours and crest. ‘ATHLEEEEEEEEEEEEEETIC’ is written behind the players.

In addition, on the lower part of the plane, visible during take-off and landing, another of the club's classic slogans has also been included: "AUPA ATHLETIC!"

The plane, a Vueling A320, will be part of the company's regular fleet, which serves around 250 routes throughout Europe, thus helping to raise Athletic Club's international profile.

Passengers flying on this plane will also find the following message: ‘Being Athletic is unique. Discover why', and a QR code that leads to a website delving into Athletic Club's unique sporting philosophy. In addition, passengers will have access to various videos starring the players that are on the plane's exterior design and which tell a story that is Unique In The World.

The aircraft's interior has also been customised, displaying the symbols and spirit of Athletic Club. The headrests are red and white, with the message "flying under the radar, we'll reach great heights" written on them. It's a phrase Iñaki Williams and his teammates have used on repeated occasions referring to the humble character that has marked their recent achievements.

In addition, Vueling has customised other areas of the interior with logos and phrases related to the two organisations, such as the luggage compartments, the windows and the bathroom mirrors.

Sandra Hors, Vueling's Director of Corporate Affairs, Brand and Sustainability, said the "customised aircraft reinforces our partnership with Athletic Club".

She continued: "This relationship was born in 2018 and is part of our commitment to Bilbao's connectivity with Spain and Europe. The incorporation of this aircraft into Vueling's regular fleet will boost the club's projection and visibility at an international level."
 

Vueling, Athletic Club's official airline

This aircraft is part of the partnership between Vueling and Athletic Club, which was renewed this summer for the next two seasons. The airline has become one of the club's premium sponsors, reaffirming its place as the team official air travel provider. Vueling's logo will continue to be the only one present our playing shorts in LaLiga, Copa and Supercopa matches, as well as our training gear.

For the next two seasons, with an option for a third, Vueling will have exclusive image rights and different visibility assets. Its brand will be present on key elements such as the microphones in the press room, the centre circle banner on matchdays and on the stands in the mixed zone in post-match interviews in the league.

Vueling and Athletic Club bring together their shared values such as teamwork, commitment to the region, ambition and continuous improvement. These are traits that characterise both entities, which were founded to be different and are still proud to maintain their essence.