No, This Isn’t An Air Jordan 4 – It’s Nike’s Air Flight 89

Close relatives.

Jovani Hernandez December 14th, 2023 (updated)

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Air Jordan 4 craze is at an all-time high, and Nike’s Air Flight 89 seems to have taken notice.

Recently, the Flight series model from 1989 emerged in a color scheme reminiscent of its close relative’s original “Black/Cement Grey/Fire Red” ensemble (like the upcoming Jordan 4 Bred Reimagined). The pair once endorsed by Scottie Pippen, however, favors a muted blue tint across its tooling, deviating from the faithful Chicago Bulls color palette. Like Michael Jordan’s teammate, the Nike Air Flight 89 has been long overshadowed despite offering a compelling and similar – to a degree – style.

Tooling on the both sneakers is identical, making Nike’s in-line model indiscernible from the fourth Air Jordan when viewed from underneath. Both shoes also donned “Nike Air” branding on the spine, a detail that’s always reprised its role on the overshadowed style; by comparison, handfuls of AJ4’s have emerged with Jumpman logos, sending old and new fans alike into a hoot over Nike, Inc. not retroing the shoe with all of its original components. “Flight” messaging also lands on the two designs’ tongues, but the Pippen-associated sneaker forges its own identity throughout the remainder of the upper. Its “Bred” color scheme, however, cannot be dissociated with #23’s iconic Bulls-inspired footwear. And while it wears it well, the Air Flight 89 will likely always be most people’s #2.

Enjoy detailed photos of the pair ahead. No nike.com launch details have been disclosed by the brand, but that’s likely to change as 2024 gets going. The Air Flight 89 is priced at $130 USD.

For more from the Nike family, check out the “Kobe Reverse Grinch” set to debut in mid-December.

Official Photos

: Big Kid’s Nike Air Flight ’89 “Black/Magnet Grey.” Nike

: Nike Air Flight ’89. Nike

: Nike Air Flight ’89. Nike

: Nike Air Flight ’89. Nike

: Nike Air Flight ’89. Nike

: Nike Air Flight ’89. Nike

: Nike Air Flight ’89. Nike

: Nike Air Flight ’89. Nike

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: Nike Air Flight 89. JD Sports

: Nike Air Flight 89. JD Sports

: Nike Air Flight 89. JD Sports

: Nike Air Flight 89. JD Sports

: Nike Air Flight 89. JD Sports

: Nike Air Flight 89. JD Sports

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Written by

Jovani Hernandez, Editor

Jovani Hernandez joined Sneaker News in December 2019. He’s covered breaking news about adidas Yeezy and interviewed Reebok CEO Todd Krinsky amongst his 5,800 posts. A sub-5-hour-marathoner, he now enjoys running sneakers the most, but fondly reminisces about Nike Basketball and Sportswear from 2007 to 2014.