What It’s Like to Fly on the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Private Launch Plane

The 2023 Swimsuit Issue is officially on newsstands, and the models and team are celebrating in style.

Every year, when the new SI Swimsuit Issue hits newsstands, the team celebrates in style with multiple days of parties and exclusive events. The locations have varied in the past, but in recent years, several things have remained the same. There is a New York celebration, and then, there is always a private plane flight for all of the models that takes them to a second location for more parties and celebrations open to the public.

This year, the Hard Rock Hotel New York hosted the first event for a grand red carpet and launch party for models, staff and friends of the brand. Read more about that here. Every Swimsuit Issue cover model was in attendance, including Martha Stewart, Kim Petras, Brooks Nader and Megan Fox. There were several sweet moments and surprises on the carpet including an appearance from Fox’s fiancé, Machine Gun Kelly, and Rob Gronkowski tearing up in support of girlfriend, Camille Kostek.

On the morning of May 19, the SI Swimsuit team and models left bright and early on a charter plane to Florida where festivities continued at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Fla. There were goodie bags, champagne, birthday songs and more. Here’s a sneak peek at the shenanigans present onboard and what it looks like to travel with this team at this exclusive event.

Outfits

Several of the models donned custom Juicy Couture tracksuits with their names embroidered that were gifted to them upon their arrival at the Hard Rock Hotel New York.

SI Swimsuit models in the 2023 Swimsuit Issue.

SI Staff

Gifts

Mario Badescu gifted adorable green tweed goodie bags that were waiting for the models on the plane. It was filled with several products including coconut body oil, coconut body butter, lip mask, mineral sunscreen and their cult-favorite facial spray with aloe, herbs and rose water.

Kamie Crawford and Christen Harper.

SI Staff

Olivia Ponton.

SI Staff

Birthdays

The SI Swimsuit team surprised 2023 rookie Jennifer Atilémile with a birthday song and vegan cupcakes for her 32nd birthday.

Jennifer Atilémile.

SI Staff

Pet Friends

Camille Kostek brought Ralphie along for the ride who walked the aisle seeking pets and snacks from the team.

Camille Kostek and Ralphie.

SI Staff

Ralphie.

SI Staff

Cheers

Champagne was passed down the aisles to continue the celebratory cheers of a successful year of photo shoots and hard work.

Adam Maclay.

SI Staff

Christen Harper and Katie Austin.

SI Staff

Naps and Face Masks

SI Swimsuit 2023 rookie Mady Dewey sipped champagne while getting in some skin care while editor in chief MJ Day snuck in a nap in the most brilliant airplane nap position we’ve ever seen.

Mady Dewey and Sixtine.

SI Staff

MJ Day.

SI Staff