Introducing the ‘Hank Aaron 755’ Airplane (and Other Sports-Star Tributes We’d Like to See)

Travel Blog  •  Michael Yessis  •  06.21.07 | 2:29 PM ET

Delta Air Lines has honored one of its hometown heroes, Atlanta Braves baseball legend Hank Aaron, with the “Hank Aaron 755” plane—a craft featuring his likeness and the number corresponding to his soon-to-fall career home run record. Barry Bonds of the San Francisco Giants is on pace to surpass Aaron’s 755 home runs later this summer, but the 73-year-old hall of famer didn’t mention his challenger during the unveiling ceremony. “I am so thrilled to have an airplane named after me,” he said, according to an AP report. “This is something I never dreamed about. As my mother always said, you’ve come a long ways baby, and enjoy yourself.”  As far as I can tell from the story and Delta’s press release, the Boeing 757 plane won’t see any changes beyond the new paint job. Too bad. What Delta really should have done to honor Hammerin’ Hank is purchased an Airbus A380 and outfitted it with 755 seats. Some other ways airlines may want to pay tribute to the world’s sports stars:

The “Dirk Nowitzki 41”
* Every seat has at least 41” of leg room and a sound system with 41 channels—all devoted exclusively to Hasselhoff.

The “Ichiro Suzuki 51”
* A plane so fast it arrives at least 51 minutes early every time.

The “David Beckham 7”
* “Lucky Seven” $7 Posh-style lunches consisting of one breath mint and a box of air. 

The “Zinedine Zidane 10”
* The extra 10” of padding in every pillow and seat protects passengers from spontaneous head-butting. 

The “Barry Bonds 73”
* Operated by a surly crew whose members can bench press you at least 73 times each. Complimentary steroid testing with each drink.

Related on World Hum:
* Armrest Seating, Anyone?
* Magic Johnson Helps Launch Travel Agency

Tags: Air Travel, Celebrity Travel Watch, Tres Loco, News and Briefs


1 Comment for Introducing the ‘Hank Aaron 755’ Airplane (and Other Sports-Star Tributes We’d Like to See)

TambourineMan 06.22.07 | 2:32 AM ET

The Pete Rose 14.
Odds are 14,000 to 1 your flight is given clearance to land in Cooperstown.

The Kobe Bryant 24.
Twenty four minutes into the flight, you demand the crying baby be ejected from the aircraft.

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