News

Goodyear Blimp 'Santa Claus Express' Comes to Town for Toys for Tots

November 9, 2018

See the fliers below for more information about the event at each location.

Toys For Tots - Ohio

OH Event Flier

Florida

Record-setting Aviator to Christen Newest Goodyear Blimp - Wingfoot Three

August 14, 2018

AKRON, Ohio, Aug. 14, 2018 – The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company announced today that Shaesta Waiz, the youngest woman to fly solo around the world in a single-engine aircraft, will christen Wingfoot Three, the newest addition to its fleet of world-famous Goodyear blimps.

Goodyear Blimp 'Santa Claus Express' Comes to Town for Toys for Tots

November 9, 2017

See the fliers below for more information about the event at each location.

Toys For Tots - Ohio

OH Event Flier

Florida

California

Thank you for checking on Toys for Tots 2017 at our Carson, Ca. airship base. We regret that due to extensive and ongoing base construction we are unable to conduct our annual Toys for Tots event this year. Please check back in 2018!

Goodyear's New Blimp Wingfoot Two Arrives in Los Angeles

October 26, 2017

LOS ANGELES, Calif., October 26, 2017 – Goodyear’s newest blimp Wingfoot Two and its crew arrive in greater Los Angeles today, completing a 2,600-mile, 10-state and three-week cross-country tour from Ohio to California.

Goodyear Blimp Wingfoot Two Goes West

October 8, 2017

AKRON, Ohio, October 8, 2017 – Goodyear Blimp Wingfoot Two embarks on a 2,600-mile, cross-country journey from Akron, Ohio to Los Angeles today with a 26-person crew and caravan of nine ground vehicles.

Goodyear Retires Spirit of Innovation

March 14, 2017

Goodyear formally retired its last GZ-20 model blimp, Spirit of Innovation, on March 14, 2017. Goodyear honored the tradition of the blimps, preserving many of the parts for historical display. The retirement continues the transition to a wholly modern fleet of Goodyear Blimps.

Goodyear Reveals Plans for Arrival of Next Generation Blimp in 2017

February 16, 2017

CARSON, California, February 16, 2017 - The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company today revealed plans for major facilities upgrades at its Airship Operations base in Carson, renewing its commitment to the Goodyear Blimp's presence in the Los Angeles area.

Goodyear Blimp 'Santa Claus Express' Comes to Town for Toys for Tots

November 18, 2016

AKRON, Ohio, November 18, 2016 – The Goodyear blimps and the U. S. Marine Corps Reserve will conduct their sixth joint maneuver next month benefitting the Toys for Tots Foundation at the company’s three U.S. blimp bases in Ohio, California and Florida. These events will provide the public with an opportunity to make a donation to Toys for Tots while enjoying an up-close and personal view of the airships.

Savannah James Christens Newest Goodyear Blimp Wingfoot Two

October 21, 2016

AKRON, Ohio, Oct. 21, 2016 --The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company's newest blimp – Wingfoot Two – was christened today by Akron native Savannah James in front of a crowd of more than 2,000 at Goodyear's Wingfoot Lake Hangar in Suffield, Ohio. The official christening of Wingfoot Two marks the formal induction of the airship into Goodyear's fleet of iconic blimps.

Savannah James to Christen Newest Goodyear Blimp - Wingfoot Two

September 22, 2016

AKRON, Ohio, September 22, 2016 – The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company announced today that businesswoman, philanthropist, wife and mother Savannah James will christen Wingfoot Two, the newest addition to its fleet of world famous Goodyear blimps in a ceremony to be held on Friday, October 21, in Suffield, Ohio.

Goodyear Milestone Inspires “Spirit of Innovation Day” Celebration at Carson, Calif. Base on June 21

June 8, 2016

The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company will commemorate the 10-year milestone of the Goodyear Blimp Spirit of Innovation christening with an innovation community showcase. The public event, Spirit of Innovation Day, will be held Tuesday, June 21, 2016 from 1 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

California

Spirit of Innovation Day Flier

Goodyear's Santa Claus Express is Coming to Town

November 17, 2015

AKRON, Ohio, November 17, 2015 – The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company and the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve will conduct their fifth joint maneuver benefitting the Toys for Tots Foundation at Goodyear’s U.S. blimp bases in Ohio, California and Florida.

Goodyear Blimp "Spirit of America" retires; transition to high-tech fleet continues

July 26, 2015

Goodyear Airship Operations is retiring its Los Angeles-based Goodyear blimp "Spirit of America." The GZ-20A model airship will be decommissioned in mid-August 2015. The blimp will be replaced in the Los Angeles market by its twin ship "Spirit of Innovation" in late September 2015.

NFL's Mr. Irrelevant Gerald Christian to ride Goodyear Blimp

June 22, 2015

The Goodyear Blimp turned 90 this year and nearly 13-year-old "Spirit of America" is set to retire. As Goodyear celebrates its brand icon's anniversary, it is joining the Foundation for the Undefeated in celebrating the career start of former Louisville Cardinals tight end Gerald Christian, who was named Mr. Irrelevant when the Arizona Cardinals selected him as the 256th and final pick of the NFL Draft in 2015.

Goodyear Blimp Spirit of America to embark on West Coast Farewell Tour

May 4, 2015

After nearly 13 years of soaring high above Southern California, the Goodyear blimp "Spirit of America" will be retired in August 2015—but not before it takes its final expedition. "Spirit of America" will embark on its farewell tour of the West Coast this summer, beginning June 2.

Robin Roberts to Christen New Goodyear Blimp

July 24, 2014

Robin Roberts, the award-winning co-anchor of ABC News' "Good Morning America," long-time ESPN sportscaster and successful author, will christen The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company's newest blimp – Wingfoot One – on Saturday, August 23, in Suffield, Ohio.

Wingfoot One Selected as Winning Name for New Goodyear Blimp

July 21, 2014

Wingfoot One has been selected as the name for The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company's newest airship, the company announced today.

Goodyear Reveals Ten Finalists for Name the Blimp Contest

April 18, 2014

AKRON, Ohio, April 18, 2014 – After receiving nearly 15,000 unique submissions for its national "Name the Blimp" contest, The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company has selected 10 finalist names for its newest blimp. The finalist names were chosen based on criteria, including how the name reflects the history of airships, the majesty of lighter-than-air flight and Goodyear's track record of delivering superior performance and innovation.

New Goodyear Blimp Takes First Flight

March 18, 2014

AKRON, Ohio, March 18, 2014 – The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company’s newest blimp took to the skies Monday for its maiden flight. The test flight is part of a comprehensive training program Goodyear pilots and crew will undergo over the next two months. The new blimp will officially be ready to begin travelling to cities around the United States after a formal christening ceremony this summer.

Goodyear Unveils New State-of-the-Art Blimp...Goodyear reveals larger, faster airship; launches nationwide contest to choose its name

March 14, 2014

AKRON, Ohio, March 14, 2014 – The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company today unveiled an all-new, state-of-the-art version of its world-famous icon, the Goodyear Blimp. The new airship is larger, faster, and more maneuverable and builds on the company’s legacy as the world’s leading builder and operator of airships.

Iconic Goodyear Blimp Retires after Daytona 500

February 24, 2014

DAYTONA BEACH, Florida, February 24, 2014 – After 14 years of filling the skies, the “Spirit of Goodyear” airship retired after the Daytona 500. The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company’s longest continuous operated airship was overhead to provide aerial coverage for its final events this weekend at Daytona International Speedway.

Goodyear Blimp Innovator Honored

December 17, 2013

NEW YORK, December 17, 2013 – Mickey Wittman, known as the “father of sports aerial broadcasting” for his work in developing the Goodyear blimp’s role in sports television, will be inducted in to the Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame here tonight.

In Broadcast First, Two Goodyear Blimps to Provide Aerial Television Coverage of Same Game

November 7, 2013

AKRON, Ohio, November 7, 2013 – For the first time ever, two Goodyear blimps will simultaneously provide live aerial television coverage of a sporting event as they circle overhead Miami’s SunLife stadium for ESPN’s coverage, beginning at 7 p.m. ET, of the November 9 NCAA football matchup between Virginia Tech and Miami.

Goodyear Blimp Becomes 'Snow Bird,' Flies South For the Winter

October 8, 2013

AKRON, Ohio, October 8, 2013 – Like many Ohioans, The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company’s Akron-based blimp, the Spirit of Goodyear, has become a “Snow Bird” and is leaving northeast Ohio’s snow and cold for a retirement in the sunshine and warmth of Florida.

Goodyear Joins "It Can Wait" Pledge Campaign to Combat Texting and Driving - Company deploys blimps to carry message to consumers

September 18, 2013

AKRON, Ohio, September 18, 2013 – The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company announced today that its fleet of blimps will exclusively carry messaging on Sept. 19 devoted to It Can Wait, a national education and awareness campaign encouraging people never to text while driving.

Newest Goodyear Blimp Takes Shape...Construction project for faster, larger airship moves ahead with installation of envelope over rigid internal framework

July 12, 2013

AKRON, Ohio, July 12, 2013– Goodyear, the best-known tire company in North America, is hard at work on the construction of its newest airship.

Construction Begins for Newest Goodyear Blimp

March 22, 2013

AKRON, Ohio, March 22, 2013 – The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company announced today that it has begun construction of the first of a new generation of airships to replace its fleet of world famous blimps.

Blimp Facts: News

Do the Goodyear blimps do other things besides TV and passenger rides? Yes, the Goodyear blimps give back to their communities by providing valuable flight time to organizations researching the environmental health of local areas they serve. Whale migration, river ecology and wildlife maintenance to name a few.