In his 1989 — 1990 season, it was clear that MJ was better than ever. Setting a points per game personal record, he drained 69 points against Cleveland. He hit 92 three-pointers, compared to only 68 in all prior seasons combined. Every aspect of MJ’s game was flawless, but it was his dogfight-like flight that separated him from every other player on the planet.
Tinker Hatfield took inspiration from Jordan’s biting style and, likening it to an American WWII fighter plane, he designed the Air Jordan V with shark-tooth shapes on the midsole. Paired with a clear outsole, the shoe a imbued a ferocity reminiscent of its relentless muse.
The Air Jordan 5 “International Flight” is inspired by Michael Jordan’s status as basketball’s greatest global ambassador. Along with “International Flight” editions of the Air Jordan 3 and Air Jordan 12, this unique Jordan 5 was released in 2018. This specific colorway is inspired by an exhibition game Jordan played in against the Spanish national team in Barcelona, Spain in 1990. Jordan wore a pair of the original Air Jordan 5 “Fire Red” with a blue, orange, and white uniform. The Air Jordan 5 “International Flight” takes the uniform colors and translates them across the silhouette, featuring a white leather upper with black, orange, and blue accents. A graphic print is also added to the inner lining and behind the clear mesh panels on the midfoot.