Photos of the Week: Impressive Arrivals

Airlines have their friend groups, too.

Called airline alliances, they are conglomerates of carriers with varying levels of agreements in place to create a global, interconnected network for travelers.

The three big airline alliances today, which have been around for more than 20 years, include Oneworld, SkyTeam and Star Alliance. The cooperation of member airlines in each alliance brings travelers many benefits: seamless connections on multiple airlines, shared frequent flier mileage and airport lounges.

These alliances also offer travelers and aviation enthusiast a special treat: alliance livery aircraft. As part of their membership, each airline gets to paint several of its planes in a unique special livery of their alliance as a show of unity.

Delta Air Lines, a SkyTeam member, has several of its planes painted in alliance colors, including a Boeing 767-400ER with the registration N844MH.

This 767 is the largest plane in Delta’s fleet to wear the SkyTeam livery. On Dec. 3, it made a rare appearance at Pittsburgh International Airport as a sports charter; it would take the Pittsburgh Steelers to Atlanta for their game against the NFL’s Falcons the next day.

Local aviation photographer Ryan McManus caught the SkyTeam 767 arriving at PIT on a sunny day from Delta’s hub at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. Just a few hours later, it would return to Atlanta with the Black and Gold onboard—and they went on to win the game, 19-16.

The SkyTeam 767 was not the only recent impressive arrival at PIT. That honor also belongs to none other than the sun. Kaelyn Brazelton was lucky enough to capture this amazing winter sunrise at PIT on a cold January morning behind the ongoing construction of the airport’s new terminal building.

Thanks for sharing, Ryan and Kaelyn!

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 winter sunrise from the construction site of PIT’s new terminal in January 2023. (Photo submitted by Kaelyn Brazelton)