Another hats off moments to the past series and movies:
- Admiral Pike's uniform at the end of the movie. It was similar to the one Kirk wore as an Admiral in TMP if I remember correctly.
- Scotty saying "I'm givin' her all she's got Cap'n!!"
- Old Spock saying to Kirk, "I am, and always will be, your friend" - exact same line from TWOK if my memory is correct.
- Vulcan testing thingees (I don't know the names) much like Star Trek IV with Spock on Vulcan.
- While not a direct reference, Chekov's "wictor wictor..." moment reminded me so much of "I'm looking for Nuclear Wessels!"
- Kirk's still youngest to become Captain in Starfleet
- "I'm a doctor!! Not a physisist!!!"