Estimated reading time 4 minutes, 58 seconds.
After two years of highly-acclaimed performances, the Breitling Jet Team’s first-ever American Tour recently concluded at the inaugural Breitling Huntington Beach Airshow in Huntington Beach, Calif. Supported by the independent Swiss watch brand Breitling, the team flew its seven L-39C Albatros jets at speeds up to 700 kilometres per hour, within just a few feet from each other, inspiring fans across North America.
Known for its precision flying and breathtaking performances, the team performed from north to south and coast to coast with over 70 performances at 30 different air shows over the two-year tour.
“The American Tour was an absolutely incredible experience for us,” said Breitling Jet team leader Jacques Bothelin. “It was a privilege to share Breitling’s passion for aviation with hundreds of thousands of fans across Canada and the U.S. We did some incredible flights over the past two years on our American Tour, like flying over downtown Toronto and Niagara Falls. “It never ceases to amaze me how beautiful the cascade of Niagara Falls is from above. It was a true honour to see the beauty of North America from the skies and meet so many Canadians with such passion and excitement for aviation.”
The Breitling Jet Team flew over several iconic areas in Canada including the Canadian National Exhibition, Niagara Falls, Vancouver, and Lake Ontario. The team was also able to demonstrate its precision, skill, and professionalism to some very special passengers firsthand including fellow pilots and friends from the Canadian Air Force Snowbirds, U.S Navy Blue Angels, former U.S. Naval aviator and NASA astronaut Mark Kelly, Houston Astros pitcher Dallas Keuchel and outfielder Jake Marisnick, Detroit Red Wings forwards Dylan Larkin and Justin Abdelkader as well as professional golfers Morgan Hoffman and Suzann Pettersen.
“A French team that flies Czech jets and is supported by a family-owned Swiss watch brand is certainly something Transport Canada had never seen before, but I knew after witnessing their extraordinary performances in Europe that we had to bring the Breitling Jet Team to Canada,” said Breitling Jet Team American Tour director Jim DiMatteo. “In order to do that, we worked closely with Transport Canada and the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) to negotiate a framework for allowing them to perform here in North America. It took a lot of hard work and determination to make the American Tour a reality and I can’t begin to express how proud I am of the results.”
Breitling established the Jet Team over 13 years ago to celebrate its passion for aviation and share it with fans across the globe. Breitling has deeply-rooted and privileged ties to aviation that span the brand’s history. The Breitling Jet Teams performance mirrors the style, power, precision and elegance of Breitling’s watches.
“Breitling is synonymous with aviation. The Breitling Jet Team American Tour provided an unforgettable opportunity for audiences across the country to witness the link our brand has with aviation and our commitment to precision and performance,” said Ted Schneider, brand manager for Breitling Canada. “The team has embodied our spirit of adventure and we are thrilled with how well they have been received these past two years in North America.”
