As part of its multi-year partnership with value carrier JetBlue Airways (Nasdaq: JBLU), Real Salt Lake has unveiled "Real Blue," JetBlue's first-ever sports-branded aircraft, designed to capture the energy, movement and excitement of Major League Soccer. Earlier this year, JetBlue became the Exclusive and Official Airline of both RSL and its Rio Tinto Stadium, named in 2008 by Forbes.com as one of 10 new "Super-Stadiums" worldwide.
"This is a partnership that puts Real Salt Lake shoulder-to-shoulder with some of the biggest brands in sports," said SCP Worldwide Founder and Chairman Dave Checketts, referencing the airline's baseball team deals. "For this club to have its name on JetBlue's first-ever sports-branded plane provides a wonderful opportunity for us to be associated with a company that shares many of our same values - primarily, customer service and tremendous value - and affords us a unique platform that very few sports franchises enjoy."
To celebrate, JetBlue is offering customers and soccer fans special one-day sale fares between Salt Lake City (SLC) and Long Beach/L.A. or San Diego for $49 (a) each way and as low as $99 (a) between SLC and New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport. Travel must be booked online at www.jetblue.com by 11:59 p.m. MT today, Friday, June 12, and take place on Tuesday and/or Wednesday between June 23, 2009 and August 26, 2009. Other restrictions apply (a).
"Real Salt Lake's impact on the game and the diverse, brand-loyal and family-oriented fan demographic of Major League Soccer align well with JetBlue's brand," said JetBlue CEO Dave Barger. "We're proud to debut our first sports-branded aircraft in the spirit of soccer, in a city that is home to more than 2,000 JetBlue Crewmembers." All 18 RSL players traveling for the team's game tomorrow against the Los Angeles Galaxy, as well as the team's coaching and front-office staff, including team President Bill Manning, Head Coach Jason Kreis and the squad's mascot, Leo The Lion, were on-site today with JetBlue CEO Dave Barger to unveil the Salt Lake-based aircraft, named "Real Blue," which was designed by the airline's General Manager of Brand Design, T.J. McCormick. The aircraft features a custom exterior illustration, created by artist John Wilkinson, of a Real Salt Lake player in action with the team's cobalt blue, claret red and gold colors throughout, bringing the partnership to life in an engaging and memorable way. Real Salt Lake's name, colors and identity are also featured throughout the plane's interior.
"It is truly an honor for the Real Salt Lake identity, brand and colors to be utilized in this way," said RSL Head Coach Jason Kreis, one of the league's pioneers and author of 108 career MLS goals. "For our partner, JetBlue, to make such a bold commitment to soccer in the United States, and for RSL to be the first-ever American soccer team recognized in this fashion, speaks volumes about our ascending profile in Salt Lake and in the U.S."
Real Salt Lake (3-6-3, 12 pts.) will look to end its own seven-game MLS winless streak and the 10-game undefeated streak of the Los Angeles Galaxy (2-1-9, 15 pts.) when the two squads meet up tomorrow, Saturday, June 13, at The Home Depot Center. Kickoff from the campus of CSU-Dominguez Hills in Carson, Calif., is set for 8:30 p.m. MT for a contest that will be televised live on KUTV 2.2 Digital (Comcast 111), beginning with the America First Credit Union Pre-Match Report at 8:00 p.m. MT. Fans can also tune in to RSL's official radio partners: KALL 700 Sports (America First Credit Union Pre-Match Report begins at 7:30 p.m. MT) and "Ke Buena" 1600-AM.
Saturday's SoCal affair will mark the second and final meeting in 2009 between RSL and Los Angeles, with the two sides' first contest just over a month ago on May 6 ending in a wild 2-2 draw. In that match - only the second in MLS history to feature three goals in second-half stoppage time - Landon Donovan (91+') and Will Johnson (92+') penalty kicks cancelled each other out and resulted in a late 2-1 RSL lead, but Mike Magee's last-second strike resulted in a share of the spoils. That draw brought RSL's record in the all-time series against Los Angeles to 4-5-5, which includes a 2-4-1 mark in games at The Home Depot Center, where the Utah side has claimed its first road victory in each of the last three seasons, twice against the Galaxy in 2006 and 2007 and last year against Chivas USA.
JetBlue has served Salt Lake City International Airport since November 2000 and currently offers non-stop service to Los Angeles (Long Beach), and New York (JFK) and San Diego. Other MLS cities accessible via connecting service from Salt Lake include Boston, Chicago, San Jose, Calif., and Washington, D.C. Salt Lake City customers have convenient connecting service to 28 additional destinations on JetBlue.
Customers enjoy JetBlue's award-winning customer service and in-flight experience, which offers more comfort with all-leather seating and the most legroom in coach of any U.S. airline and more free live entertainment with 36 channels of DIRECTV® programming and more than 100 channels of XM Satellite Radio®. Customers looking to pamper themselves even further can upgrade to a super-spacious Even More Legroom seat. A selection of JetBlue Features movies is also available for a small charge. Overnight departures from the West include JetBlue's complimentary Shut-Eye Service, featuring a Snooze Kit that includes earplugs and eyeshades, plus unlimited free snacks and beverages and a "good morning" hot towel service. Before arrival, customers are treated to Dunkin' Donuts coffee, fruit juice, and bottled spring water, allowing customers to land refreshed and ready to start the day.
