Alaska Airlines Reveals San Diego State University's 'Aztec Plane'

Alaska Airlines today unveiled a specially painted Aztec plane with San Diego State University's logo and hallmark scarlet and black colors before a crowd of cheering students, alumni, faculty and people traveling through San Diego International Airport. The unveiling of the Bombardier Q400 was timed to celebrate the start of Alaska Airlines' new San Diego flights to Fresno, Monterey and Santa Rosa, Calif., which begin June 4 and 5.

"We're proud to add San Diego State University's bold colors to our fleet of university planes and especially pleased that this aircraft represents our first California school," said Joe Sprague, Alaska Airlines' vice president of marketing. "We hope the Aztec plane will bring smiles to our passengers and be a source of pride for SDSU students, alumni and faculty for years to come as we fly it throughout our regional route network."

Like other university-themed aircraft operated for Alaska Airlines by its sister carrier, Horizon Air, the Aztec aircraft was painted at no cost to San Diego State University.

"Eighty percent of San Diego State's 250,000 alumni live in California, so it will be a huge source of pride for them to see the Aztec colors flying through the sky and at our local airport," said Jim Sterk, SDSU director of intercollegiate athletics. 

Following the unveiling in Terminal 1, fans, students and 15 radio contest winners will depart on the Aztec plane's inaugural flight along the Southern California coast, and over the Coachella Valley and Salton Sea.
ALASKA