Transavia withdraws seat 7C to honour Cristiano Ronaldo’s international retirement

Dutch airline Transavia has paid tribute to Cristiano Ronaldo by withdrawing seat 7C from flights to Funchal, the Portugal captain’s birthplace.

The gesture came about 24 hours after Ronaldo announced his retirement from international football on Thursday, bringing an end to a 23-year career with Portugal.

During that time, Ronaldo helped his country win Euro 2016 and the UEFA Nations League in 2019 and 2025.

Transavia confirmed that seat 7C would be unavailable on flights to Funchal, one of around 110 destinations served by the airline.

The company shared a photograph on its official Instagram account showing the inside of one of its aircraft, with a Portugal shirt bearing Ronaldo’s number seven placed on one of the seats.

“CR7 hangs up his boots, and our seat 7C has also been withdrawn from our flights to Funchal,” Transavia said in a statement.

The airline said the decision was intended to mark Ronaldo’s retirement from international football on a route linking passengers with his home city.

Portugal’s national team did not take the same step. The article said the team is bound by FIFA and UEFA regulations that prevent a shirt number from being withdrawn, regardless of the player’s status or achievements.