More than 60 Seattle Sounders FC fans took flight this weekend for the ultimate fan experience in the skies over Washington and Oregon.

Delta, Sounders FC and its fans have teamed up for the season-long Fabric of Sounders FC campaign, a project at the direction of team goalkeeper Stefan Frei to create a multi-piece banner, with each piece of fabric having a unique design and telling a different story about Delta’s support of Seattle and the city’s love for Sounders FC. Fans along with Sounders FC alumni Marcus Hahnemann, Roger Levesque and Steve Zakuani, and other team representatives created the latest piece of the banner on a flight from Seattle to Portland, Oregon, for the team’s important match against the Portland Timbers. The rivalry between Seattle and Portland is arguably the fiercest and most well-known in Major League Soccer.

Upon arrival at the airport, fans were greeted at a designated check-in area before proceeding through security to the gate area, where Hahnemann and Zakuani led a game of Sounders FC trivia and gave away Sounders FC merchandise autographed by Frei. Mike Medeiros, Delta’s Vice President – Seattle, spoke of the special partnership between Delta and the team and played a send-off video from Frei before boarding.

Team alumni welcomed fans aboard, and Levesque led passengers in traditional Sounders FC chants and spoke of his experience as a Sounder playing in Portland and how this rivalry has always energized him. Passengers helped create the final piece of The Fabric of Sounders FC canvas, mimicking an in-stadium card stunt where fans wrote words to describe their fandom for the team. The words will be imprinted onto the completed display – 200 feet long and 75 feet wide – set to be unveiled on-field at CenturyLink Field on Sept. 28 at the Sounders FC home match versus Chicago.

Media were also on the flight, including ESPN, which broadcast the match on national television, and Q13, the Seattle FOX affiliate and broadcast home of Sounders FC.

Fans entered for seats on the flight by visiting The Fabric of Sounders FC site and joining Delta SkyMiles or entering their existing account information. Winners received round-trip transportation for two between Seattle and Portland, match tickets, and other giveaways, including a Delta-branded traditional fan scarf.

The fan flight was a cross-divisional collaboration between Marketing and Sponsorships, Charters, In-Flight Service, Flight Operations, Corporate Communications and Airport Customer Service teams in Seattle and Portland, among many others.

The Fabric of Sounders FC is an extension of the airline’s You Can’t Stop Seattle brand campaign, which reveres Seattleites for their ideas and ambition and celebrates the growth and momentum of the city while telling the story of how Delta helps fuel Seattle’s pursuits. It celebrates Delta’s relationships with the city’s beloved, local teams as well as its support of community organizations close to the hearts of Delta people. You Can’t Stop Seattle represents Delta’s significant investments in Seattle, which have driven changes across the competitive landscape – from product enhancements, to facility improvements, to financial benefits and community investment.

To learn more about the Delta, Sounders FC and Stefan Frei-led project, visit www.soundersfc.com/fabricofsfc.