We’re going to say this right off the bat: there is no more successful or iconic professional football team or brand than the Pittsburgh Steelers, nor a more devoted or passionate fanbase. We will entertain no further discussion on this matter.

That being said, the Las Vegas Raiders have a very good claim to being a strong second in both of those categories: the Silver and Black, the Black Hole, Team of the Decades, etc.

When the franchise moved to its *ahem* third city in 2020, it launched a strong partnership with another Las Vegas pillar, Allegiant Air, which is headquartered there.

The Raiders play in Allegiant Stadium, which at a cost of $1.9 billion is the second-most expensive stadium in the world and nicknamed “the Death Star” by team owner Mark Davis. Allegiant also is the official airline of the Raiders.

And to celebrate that bond, in 2021 Allegiant unveiled an A319-100 with a custom livery honoring the team; the carrier even changed its signature sunburst logo to silver and black.

That aircraft now serves various routes, and when it recently visited Pittsburgh International Airport for the first time, Steve Eckerson was there to capture it.

Of course, Pittsburgh fans are very familiar with the Raiders. And as the only airport in the world with a figure of beloved Steelers legend Franco Harris making the greatest play in the history of the NFL, so are we:

Now, not everything is about football, not even for Steelers and Raiders fans. Sometimes you need to take a break, and where better than Cancun, Mexico?

Charaye’ Gilliam recently hopped one of Southwest’s flights to the popular Caribbean paradise and snapped a gorgeous picture (are there any un-gorgeous pictures of Cancun?) on her descent.

Thanks, Steve and Charaye’!

Our readers continue to pass along shots of unique aircraft, international airports, historical events, gorgeous views and even family vacation photos for this feature. We love them! Keep them coming—you can click here for submission guidelines.

A Southwest Airlines flight flies over Cancun, Mexico. (Photo submitted by Charaye’ Gilliam)