Adidas Makes Limited-Edition Samba for United’s 100th Anniversary

United Airlines is celebrating 100 years in the skies in 2026, and it’s marking the occasion on-feet with a special-edition sneaker.

The United Airlines x Adidas Samba pairs the centenarian with the nearly 80-year-old sneaker. A white and blue color scheme matches that of the airline, with a white leather base given a blue mustache and striping. United’s logo is printed onto the left shoe’s lateral heel, and gold text calls out the century mark on the right. Rounding out the shoe is a gray suede T-toe and brown cupsole.

Another centennial sneaker was seen last year with Delta tapping Nike for a special-edition Air Force 1 Low. It was similarly modest, rendered predominantly in white with a blue-lined silver Swoosh and Delta logo at its lateral heel. A 100-year call-out then arrived on the tongue tag with the “Nike Air” logo retaining its place in blue on a silver mustache.

Although Delta’s Air Force 1 Low was exclusively sold to its employees through a company portal, numerous pairs have wound up on resale platforms with recent sales in the $180 to $200 range.

Nike also collaborated last year with Air Afrique, a Paris-based creative collective that’s adopted the name and branding of Pan-African airline that ceased operations in 2022. Together, they created the Air Max RK61 sneaker loafer named for Air Afrique’s airline code and the year that it started business. One of Africa’s greatest soccer players, Didier Drogba, starred in the campaign.

The United Airlines x Adidas Samba is likewise an employee-exclusive only available to purchase through internal channels. Inevitably, the sneaker will end up on the resale market as well, so keep your eyes peeled if you’re after the limited kicks.