Airbus A340 mystery solved: Oakland Raiders and Air Asia X set to announce Commitment to Excellence

May 20, 3:46 PMOakland Raiders ExaminerPatrick Patterson

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I did some investigating on the photograph of the mystery Airbus A340 airliner with the Raider shield on the tailfin, and after a discussion with Raiders CEO Amy Trask can give a clear picture of the future of that plane.

The Oakland Raiders have come to agreement with Air Asia X, which is a low-budget long-haul airliner that primarily serves Asia. This is not, as rumored, indicative of Air Asia X opening service to the United States, as according to Trask that is not in their immediate plans. It is instead a chace for the Raiders to enhance their brand globally.

This agreement with Air Asia X is not an indication that the Raiders are dropping their long-time partner Hawaiian Airlines. Trask joked, "We can dominate the airlines. If you buy a plane you can paint it in Raider colors." She said that the Raiders will continue their terrific relationship with Hawaiian, and there would be no conflict because both airliners cover different routes and territory.

The speculation had the plane with the name Autumn Wind 1, but with Air Asia X having a tradition of all of their planes carry an X as part of their name, it will be named instead "Commitment to Excellence."

Neither side were preparered to announce the joint venture, but as Trask said, "It is impossible to hide an A340." The Raider Shield on the tailfin was only the beginning. The entire "Commitment to Excellence" plane will be outfitted with full Raider regalia combined with Air Asia X livery. There will be pictures of Raiderettes, Raider scenes, Raider jerseys, as well as logos in other areas.

Trask said that this deal was "a first," as other planes painted in team logos and colors are from airlines that are carriers of the team or have some other affiliation. Trask said this is an "Exciting, fun, terrific relationship with Air Asia X" whom she called a "bodacious airline."

What makes this combination most unusual is that not only is Air Asia X not the carrier that the Raiders use for their away games, they don't even serve the United States, nor do they have plans to do so in the immediate future. They serve Malaysia, London, and Australia. Trask does expect that "Commitment to Excellence" will be flown in to Oakland for at least one game day.