The Breitling Jet Team American Tour Ends After Two Highly Successful Years

The world’s largest professional civilian jet team performed for hundreds of thousands of fans during their first-ever tour of North America, and from the reaction of airshow fans, their performances were well received.

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, CA. Supported by the independent Swiss watch brand Breitling, the team flew their seven L-39C Albatros jets at speeds up to 435 mph, within just a few feet from each other, inspiring fans across the United States and Canada. The team performed from coast to coast with over 70 performances at 30 different air shows in the U.S. and Canada 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 the U.S. and Canada. We did some incredible flights over the past two years on our American Tour, like flying over Manhattan. It never ceases to amaze me how beautiful the Manhattan skyline is from above. It was a true honor to see the beauty of North America from the skies and meet so many Americans and Canadians with such passion and excitement for aviation.”

The Breitling Jet Team flew over several iconic areas in the United States including the Grand Canyon, Mount Rushmore, the Golden Gate Bridge, Zion National Park and Monument Valley. The team was also able to demonstrate their precision, skill, and professionalism to dozens of very special passengers. Among those were fellow pilots and friends from the U.S. Navy Blue Angels and Canadian Air Force Snowbirds.

“A French team that flies Czech jets and is supported by an family-owned Swiss watch brand is certainly something the FAA  had never seen before, but I knew after witnessing their extraordinary performances in Europe that we had to bring the Breitling Jet Team to the U.S.,” Breitling Jet Team American Tour Director Jim DiMatteo said. “In order to do that, we worked closely with the FAA 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 their 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. Breitling says there Jet Team’s 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 Breitling USA President Thierry Prissert. “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.”

(Source and images; Breitling press release)

FMI: www.breitling-jet-team.com/en/