Airlines around the world have found creative ways to celebrate sporting legends, national teams and sporting milestones. From painting aircraft in team colours to naming aircraft after football icons, aviation has often provided a flying platform for sporting tributes. Now, Transavia has added an unusual gesture to that tradition by symbolically removing seat 7C from flights to Funchal, Madeira, in honour of Cristiano Ronaldo.
The French arm of the low-cost airline announced the initiative on social media following Ronaldo's announcement that he was bringing his 23-year career with Portugal's national team to an end. The airline used the footballer's famous CR7 identity as inspiration, sharing a photograph of his Portugal No. 7 shirt placed on seat 7C.
"CR7 hangs up his boots, our seats numbered 7C are now also removed for our flights to Funchal," the airline wrote.
The gesture is particularly symbolic because Funchal is Ronaldo's birthplace. The Portuguese superstar ended his international career with 234 appearances and 146 goals for his country. However, he has not retired from professional football and continues to represent Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr.
Transavia's seat-number tribute is unusual, but it follows a wider tradition of airlines using their aircraft, cabins and onboard services to honour sporting personalities.
1. Air Canada – Vince Carter's No. 15 tribute (2024)
Air Canada unveiled a specially decorated Airbus A220 featuring former Toronto Raptors star Vince Carter's silhouette, signature and jersey number 15. The tribute coincided with the Raptors' decision to retire his number and honour his contribution to basketball.
2. Norwegian – Bobby Moore on an aircraft tail (2017)
Norwegian selected England's 1966 World Cup-winning captain Bobby Moore as one of its British tail-fin heroes. His portrait appeared on an aircraft, continuing the airline's tradition of recognising influential personalities from history, culture and sport.
3. Iberia – An A350 dedicated to Spain's national football team (2019)
Iberia named an Airbus A350-900 Selección Española de Fútbol. The aircraft's Premium Economy headrests carried the names of the national team players, turning the cabin into a tribute to Spanish football.
4. Brussels Airlines – The Red Devils' flying tribute (2018)
Brussels Airlines operated its specially painted red Airbus A320, named Trident, for Belgium's national football team. The aircraft featured iconic moments from Belgian football history, while players received personalised seats with their names on the headrest covers. During the 2018 World Cup, the airline also arranged additional fan flights and football-themed onboard experiences.
5. AirAsia – Tribute to QPR legend Alan McDonald (2012)
During Queens Park Rangers' Asian tour, an Airbus A320 was named in honour of former QPR defender Alan McDonald, who had died the previous month. His name and shirt number appeared on the aircraft as a tribute to the former player.
Airline sporting tributes take different forms. Some involve aircraft liveries, others feature personalised cabin interiors, special charter flights or dedicated aircraft names. These initiatives can celebrate sporting achievements, strengthen an airline's connection with its home country and create memorable experiences for passengers.
Transavia's decision stands out because it uses something passengers encounter during every flight: a seat number. Rather than dedicating an entire aircraft to Ronaldo, the airline has chosen a small but instantly recognisable detail associated with his famous jersey number.
It also connects the tribute directly to Madeira, the island that produced one of football's most recognisable international stars.
From aircraft tails and personalised headrests to an unavailable seat 7C, airlines continue to find creative ways to bring the worlds of aviation and sport together.
