Athletes on Airplanes

SI Staff | Nov 13, 2012

Athletes on Airplanes /

Athletes on Airplanes

Dwyane Wade

LeBron James couldn't quite believe his eyes on Monday when teammate Dwyane Wade boarded the team plane wearing these pants. James quickly took to Twitter, saying "My boi @dwyanewade taking fashion to a whole new level with these pants. Mannn! #chineseprint #paintedon." In honor of Wade and his painted-on pants, we present this gallery of Athletes on Airplanes.

Ron Harper, Scottie Pippen and Michael Jordan

Ron Harper, Scottie Pippen and Michael Jordan playing cards on the Bulls' team plane.

Kareem Abdul Jabbar

Kareem Abdul Jabbar isn't an actual pilot, but he played one in the hit 1979 movie Airplane!

Muhammad Ali

In honor of Jet Blue flight attendant Steve Slater, who famously quit his job after arguing with a passenger while the plane was on the tarmac, SI presents a photo collection of athletes on airplanes. Muhammad Ali gets ready for a nap on the flight back to Chicago after his victory over Jean-Pierre Coopman.

Kobe Bryant

Kobe Bryant catches up on his reading while aboard the Lakers' charter plane.

Carmelo Anthony, Rodney White, Earl Boykins and Andre Miller

Carmelo Anthony, Rodney White, Earl Boykins and Andre Miller eat while the Denver Nuggets fly to Orlando for a game against the Magic.

Team USA

Kevin Love famously caught Team USA fast asleep as the squad traveled to London for the 2012 Olympics.

Kevin Love

Team USA would have the last laugh, however, as Deron Williams tweeted this photo of Love fast asleep on the team bus.

Yao Ming and Bostjan Nachbar

Houston's Yao Ming and Bostjan Nachbar relax on the team airplane.

Goose Gossage

Yankees relief pitcher Goose Gossage samples a chocolate offered by Bucky Dent's wife, Stormie during the team's jet flight to New York.

David Robinson and Tim Duncan

David Robinson and Tim Duncan work on their computers on their flight back to San Antonio after defeating the Knicks to win the 1999 NBA championship.

Tiger Woods

Tiger Woods catches some sleep on a flight from Los Angeles to Thailand.

Dennis Rodman and James Edwards

A subdued Dennis Rodman relaxes aboard a private jet as his team prepares to return home from Los Angeles. James Edwards is pictured in the background.

Dean Meminger and Earl Monroe

Dean Meminger (left) and Earl Monroe of the Knicks play cards with teammates after beating the Lakers for the NBA title.

Carmelo Anthony and Dontaye Draper

Carmelo Anthony and Dontaye Draper prepare for a flight to Miami to take on the Heat.

Gary Payton

Gary Payton makes a call while on the team plane before Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals during the 2004 NBA Playoffs.

Chauncey Billups

Chauncey Billups speaks with teammates on the Nuggets charter plane.

Ben Johnson

Canadian sprinter Ben Johnson is a hit with the flight attendants on his way home from Seoul after the 1988 Summer Olympics. Johnson was eventually stripped of his gold medal for illegal drug use.

Spanish World Cup team

Spanish players celebrate on the plane before their arrival at Barajas' airport in Madrid, a day after winning the World Cup for the first time 1-0 against Holland.

Steve Yzerman

Steve Yzerman sits on an airplane and reads a document on a flight back to Detroit.

Greg LeMond

Greg LeMond folds his newspaper upon his arrival at Pau airport, where he arrived along with other riders for the Tour de France.

Martin Brodeur and Mats Sundin

Mats Sundin (left) and Martin Brodeur of the Primus Worldstars read a newspaper en route to Bern, Switzerland.

Shani Davis and Chad Hedrick

Shani Davis (left) and Chad Hedrick return to the United States after capturing gold in speedskating at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy.

Published Nov 13, 2012

SI STAFF