United Airlines Celebrates 100 Years with Special Adidas Shoes

United Airlines Marks 100 Years

Recently, United Airlines unveiled a stylish pair of Adidas shoes to celebrate its centennial, but getting your hands on a pair might not be so easy.

The airline is gearing up for this momentous occasion with a special vinyl record featuring the iconic tune "Rhapsody in Blue." This is a must-have item for any fan.

Exclusive Adidas Samba Shoes

United Airlines has teamed up with Adidas to create a custom version of the renowned Samba shoes. These sneakers are designed in United's signature blue, complete with aviation-themed details.

The standout feature is the United logo on the heel, which includes a globe emblem on the left shoe and a golden “100 Years” symbol on the right. Unfortunately, these shoes are exclusively available to United employees through an internal store.

Vinyl Record "Rhapsody In Blue"

In addition, United has released a limited edition vinyl record inspired by the classic piece "Rhapsody in Blue," a celebrated work by George Gershwin that has been associated with the airline since the 1980s. The vinyl features two sides: "Rhapsody in Flight" and "Rhapsody in Blue," performed by the London Symphony Orchestra.

What’s particularly interesting is that both sides of the record have a zoetrope design, creating an animated effect when viewed through a phone camera or under flashing lights.

Birthday Celebration Plans

This vinyl will be sold for $35 at United's store, but supplies are limited. A friend of mine has a record player at home, and if I manage to get one, I’ll bring it over to try it out!

United's connection with "Rhapsody in Blue" began in 1987 when the airline first incorporated the music into its advertisements. Since then, the tune has become one of the most recognizable sounds in commercial aviation, featuring not only in ads but also on flights.

Reflecting on the Journey

While many airlines frequently revamp their cabins and services, only a handful manage to maintain their unique identity over decades. United Airlines, with its connection to "Rhapsody in Blue," has achieved this, even though the song's popularity waned during Smisek's tenure.

I will share more about United's 100th anniversary in another post. The official date is April 6, 2026, and the airline is sure to have even more exciting activities planned to celebrate this milestone.

Conclusion

United Airlines is celebrating its 100th birthday with a new "Rhapsody in Blue" vinyl and a special collaboration with Adidas. However, only employees will have the opportunity to own these exclusive shoes. Perhaps this is just the beginning of many special moments and memorabilia in United's 100-year journey.