After 14 years floating over sports games and other big events, the iconic Goodyear Blimp has taken its last flight.
The tire company is trading the plump, aging dirigible for a newer fleet of similar cigar-shaped aircraft that don't technically qualify as blimps. Unlike their predecessor, the new airships will have a solid shell surrounding the helium-filled balloon to hold it in place.
The bigger upgraded crafts will sport a brand a new design but still carry the instantly recognizable blue and gold branding emblazoned on the now-defunct "Spirit of America," the company told the Associated Press. They can reach speeds of up to 73 miles per hour and, with three engines instead of two, they are quieter and more maneuverable.
You may have heard we're retiring our old blimp design... if you want to see the last of its kind, we'll be flying over #Nashville today!— Goodyear (@GoodyearBlimp) August 28, 2015
The speed and agility are important because Goodyear's airships are more than just flying billboards; the people inside the small passenger area beneath the balloon film the aerial-view shots for live broadcasts of major events like the Academy Awards.
Before it was deflated and disassembled earlier this month, the legendary blimp took one last farewell tour through the skies of California. The switch-up also marks the 90th anniversary of Goodyear's first foray into the blimp business.