Nearly 129 years after the Statue of Liberty was officially given to the United States from the people of France, the France-based Breitling Jet Team took to the skies for a flight around Lady Liberty.
The team arrived stateside for the first time this year to embark on their first-ever American Tour, comprised of nearly 20 airshows across the US and Canada.
Made up of seven L-39 C Albatros jets that can reach speeds of up to 565 mph, the Breitling Jet Team is the world’s largest professional civilian flight team performing in jets, flying within just a few feet of each other. In addition to the Statue of Liberty, the Team took in other New York landmarks like the new Freedom Tower at the World Trade Center, Central Park and the George Washington Bridge on this meaningful flight.
“It was a privilege to experience the flight over the Manhattan skyline,” said Jacques Bothelin, leader of the Breitling Jet Team. “To fly there, it was something truly breathtaking; the Statue of Liberty, the Manhattan skyline, and the brand new Freedom Tower at the new World Trade Center are recognized throughout the world and it was an honor to get so close.”
Following their performance at the Bethpage Airshow at Jones Beach over Memorial Day weekend, the team continued on to the Rhode Island National Guard Open House and Airshow and the Ocean City Airshow in Maryland.
