New Goodyear Blimp Takes First Flight

AKRON, Ohio--March 18, 2014: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company's newest blimp took to the skies Monday for its maiden flight. The test flight is part of a comprehensive training program Goodyear pilots and crew will undergo over the next two months. The new blimp will officially be ready to begin travelling to cities around the United States after a formal christening ceremony this summer.

The blimp is an all-new, state-of-the-art version that is larger, faster, more maneuverable than previous models, and builds on the company's legacy as the world's leading builder and operator of airships. The blimp's speed was on display Monday as the ship, aided by a tail wind, eclipsed 80 miles per hour.