Goodyear Blimp at 100: From Ronald Reagan to Ice Cube, 'floating piece of Americana' still thriving

Onlookers stare and point. Drivers pull over for better looks, snapping pictures, recording videos and trying to line up the perfect selfie. For some, it’s nostalgic. For others, it’s a glimpse at a larger-than-life advertising icon.

At 100 years old, the blimp is an ageless star in the sky. And even though remote camera technologies — drones, mostly — are improving regularly and changing the landscape of aerial footage, the 246-foot blimp continues to carve out a niche.

The aircraft has been a regular at major sporting events since flying above the 1955 Rose Bowl. Since that time, blimps have undergone wholesale changes and improved dramatically: steering technology, safety innovations, high-definition cameras, gyro-stabilized aerial views and much quieter rides thanks to relocated engines and propellers.

Nowadays, riding on the blimp isn’t much different from traveling on a small plane. The 12-seater comes with reclining seats, tray tables, seatbelts, a safety briefing and a bathroom with amazing views. A few windows serve as the only air conditioning onboard. The blimp offers a smooth ride even at its top speed of 73 mph.

“It’s an iconic symbol for our nation, a floating piece of Americana,” blimp pilot Jensen Kervern said. “There’s nothing like it in the world.”

The blimp has covered more than 2,500 events and taken more than 500,000 passengers for rides, according to Goodyear. Former President Ronald Reagan might be the most famous passenger, and rapper Ice Cube raised the blimp’s street cred when he included a line about it in his 1992 song titled “It Was A Good Day.”

But not just anyone can climb aboard. Rides are invitation only even though phones at blimp headquarters — the three U.S.-based airships are housed in California, Florida and Ohio — ring off the hook with people inquiring about buying a ride.

As part of the blimp’s 100-year anniversary celebration, however, Goodyear is giving three U.S. residents a chance to join the exclusive club and win a ride. The sweepstakes will provide each winner a certificate for two to fly on the blimp. The prize also includes $3,000 for travel expenses to one of Goodyear’s airship hangars.

Already in 2025, the Goodyear fleet has flown over the Rose Bowl, the Orange Bowl, the Pro Bowl, the Daytona 500 and Pebble Beach. Its upcoming schedule includes the Academy Awards, Coachella and WrestleMania.

But will the blimp survive another 100 years?

Drone imagery and resolution continue to improve along with maneuverability, stability and flight longevity. And where drones can be flown by one person, the Goodyear Blimp crew can include at least 20 people.

But given the blimp’s longevity, adaptability and celebrity, no one should bet against it sticking around for generations to come.

“Despite changes in technology and our environment, people still get so excited to see the blimp,” Kervern said. “It’s just an iconic symbol for our nation.”