The penguins fly to Orlando

Just encountered, by accident, this aeronautical bulletin, from The Disney Blog on 6/20/13, “Penguin One joins fleet of SeaWorld themed Southwest Airline Planes”:

For 25 years Shamu One has flown through the sky bringing joy to airplane passengers everywhere knowing their journey to SeaWorld begins at their home airport. It’s a relatively small thing, but it brings a lot of joy.

Today Southwest Airlines and SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment celebrated 25 years of partnership with the unveiling of the airline’s newest specialty aircraft, Penguin One —- a Boeing 737-700 co-branded with images of one of SeaWorld’s iconic animals — penguins.

… This new plane ties into SeaWorld Orlando’s newest attraction. The featured penguin species on the aircraft is a gentoo, one of the species found at SeaWorld Orlando’s Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin. The attraction includes a first-of-its-kind family ride that transports guests into the penguins’ icy world.

But the idyll was not to last. From CNBC on 8/1/14, “Shamu, Penguin One get the hook in Southwest/SeaWorld split”:

With 180 gallons of new paint waiting in the wings, Southwest Airlines later this year will bid adieu to Shamu and its other SeaWorld-themed livery on its planes.

Under pressure from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals and others, Southwest on Thursday said it would curtail its 26-year partnership with the marine park. That means three colorful 737s — Shamu Two, Shamu Three and Penguin One — will retire at the end of the year.

And the penguins were painted over.

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