Gallery: Special Liveries Promote Special Events, Causes
Linda Blachly
Emirates celebrates return of ICC Men’s T30 World Cup
Photo credit: Emirates AirlineBuilding on the excitement and fervor for the return of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, Emirates Airline revealed its own themed A380 livery on Oct. 17, 2021, just in time for the kick off of one of the most hotly anticipated events in the world of sport, taking place for the first time in the UAE and Oman. After a game of mini-cricket, umpired by Indian international cricketer Shikhar Dhawan, the newly emblazoned aircraft was beckoned out as the “newest player” by him and over 100 Emirates Engineering employees, many of whom were involved in the installation of the special decal and form part of the nine cricket teams at the airline’s engineering center.
Royal Jordanian’s Petra-inspired livery promotes tourism
Photo credit: Royal JordanianIn a move aimed at projecting Jordan as an attractive tourist destination, Royal Jordanian placed Petra-inspired special livery on one of its Boeing 787 aircraft in October 2021 to promote the red-rose city of Petra, which is a unique landmark in Jordan and became an attractive destination for tourists of different nationalities and cultures.
Alaska Airlines special livery celebrates return of professional football
Photo credit: Alaska AirlinesAlaska Airlines celebrated the return of professional football in September 2021 with a special livery of Alaska’s chief football officer Russell Wilson, the Seattle-based airline’s fourth such livery. The Boeing 737-900ER was introduced to fans waiting for a flight from Seattle (SEA) to Indianapolis (IND), where Wilson was set to take the field in his first game this season.
Alaska Airlines commits to equity in education with special livery
Photo credit: Alaska AirlinesAlaska Airlines launched a new livery symbolizing a commitment racial equity in education on a Boeing 737-900ER in April 2021though the company’s long-standing partnership with UNCF, an organization dedicated to enabling underrepresented students to become highly qualified college graduates. The aircraft features profiles of the next generation of leaders, the children, grandchildren and mentees of Alaska’s employees. The “Our Commitment” aircraft will fly throughout Alaska's network, to spread the word about UNCF and spark conversation around the importance of education, equity and representation.
Southwest unveils 50th anniversary Walt Disney World livery
Photo credit: Southwest AirlinesIn September 2021, Southwest Airlines joined Walt Disney World Resort with a special co-branded commemorative aircraft celebrating their 50th anniversary. The Boeing 737-700 features 50th anniversary logos of both Southwest Airlines and Walt Disney World Resort and is emblazoned with a unique EARidescent treatment created by Walt Disney World Resort for its milestone celebration. The aircraft will fly around the Southwest system through March 2022.
Emirates rolls out Dubai Expo 2020 special livery
Photo credit: Emirates AirlineEmirates Airline has a long tradition of showcasing special liveries on its Airbus A380 and Boeing 777 fleet, and in the last five years alone, close to 50 unique designs and 100 liveries have been brought to life by the team at the airline. Emirates on Sept. 28, 2021 rolled out a Dubai Expo 2020 livery on an A380. This bright blue aircraft livery features large-scale graphics in vivid green, orange, pink, purple and red, which run across the fuselage and all the way up to the tail and fin interlaced with the distinct ring-shaped Expo 2020 Dubai logo. Special “Dubai Expo” and “Be Part of the Magic” messages run across both sides of the A380 fuselage. The engine cowls also carry the Expo 2020 Dubai messages and new dates of the event, which was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Expo 2020 Dubai is the first World Expo ever hosted in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) region, and will run from October 2021 to March 2022.
SpiceJet honors Indian actor, hero
Photo credit: SpiceJet screen shot/FacebookSpiceJet honored Indian actor and philanthropist Sonu Sood, who the airline said was a savior to a hundred thousand Indians during the pandemic, helping them reunite with their loved ones, feed their families and more. To recognize him, SpiceJet rolled out a Boeing 737 featuring a special livery of the famous local hero.
Cargolux Airlines
Credit: Cargolux Airlines/TwitterA Cargolux Airlines Boeing 747-8 received its own mask, reflecting the airline’s commitment to the fight against COVID-19. The words “Not Without My Mask” is written on the aircraft.
All Nippon Airways (ANA)
Credit: ANAAll Nippon Airways (ANA) Boeing 787-9 R2-D2 special livery is part of a series of Star Wars’ themed jets in the ANA Star Wars Project.
Etihad Airways
Credit: Rob FinlaysonEtihad Airways painted a Formula One livery on a Boeing 787-9 to celebrate 10 years of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in the UAE Capital in November 2018.
Hi Fly
Credit: Hi FlyPortuguese charter airline Hi Fly displays its “Turn the Tide on Plastic” special livery on an Airbus A330 to raise public awareness of plastic pollution in the world’s oceans.
Qantas
Credit: QantasA Qantas Boeing 787-9 displays 1991 artwork, called “Yam Dreaming,” by Emily Kame Kangwarreye as part of its Flying Art Series.
Japan Airlines (JAL)
Credit: JALJapan Airlines (JAL) became a supporting partner for what was to be the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo this summer, which is now postponed to 2021 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. This livery—featuring official Tokyo 2020 mascots Miraitowa and Someity—is part of JAL’s “Fly for it” campaign on domestic routes.
Japan Airlines (JAL)
Credit: JALAnticipating the now postponed 2020 Olympic summer games in Tokyo, Japan Airlines (JAL) had partnered with All Nippon Airways (ANA) to transport the Olympic flame throughout Japan. On March 20, the JAL Boeing 787-8 with a special livery began the Olympic Torch relay, which flew from Athens to Japan. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic has postponed the games until July 2021.
Qantas
QantasQantas has moved more than 100 aircraft into storage, while many of its international rivals have made similar cuts.
Delta Air Lines and Delta Connection
Credit: Delta Flight MuseumDelta Air Lines and Delta Connection carriers SkyWest and ASA celebrated the 2002 Winter Olympic Games in Salt Lake City. Boeing 777 Ship 7005 (N864DA) “The Soaring Spirit II” transported the Olympic flame from its home in Greece to the US. Its paint design featured images of Olympic Gold Medalist Bonnie Blair and Olympic athletes Duncan Kennedy and Ryan Heckman.
Etihad Airways
Credit: Etihad Airways/TwitterEtihad Airways, the official airline partner of Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi 2019, featured a special livery to promote the games, which took place in the nation’s capital in March 2019. The livery, on an Etihad Boeing 787-9, features four Special Olympics athletes: swimmer Omar Al Shami, runner Hamda Alhosani, and bowlers Saleh Almarri and Mariam Al Hosani.
Southwest Airlines
Credit: Southwest AirlinesSouthwest Airlines, in partnership with Discovery Channel, launched a Shark Week fleet in July 2018 to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Shark Week.
Embraer
Credit: EmbraerBrazilian manufacturer Embraer painted a shark livery on its E190-E2 jet and sent it on a five-month global demonstration tour to 39 countries from July-December 2018. The aircraft landed at airports with several operational challenges, such as short runways, as in London City, and high altitudes, as in Tibet and Nepal. In addition, the aircraft visited remote places of the planet, such as Kiribati, in Oceania. The main objective was to demonstrate to airlines the features that make the E190-E2 a unique airplane in its category, according to Embraer.
Alaska Airlines
Credit: Alaska AirlinesAlaska Airlines unveiled a special-edition Boeing 737-800 livery in October 2019 that offers a whimsical tribute to Pixar Pier, a reimagined land at Disney California Adventure Park. A trio of familiar Pixar characters span both sides of the aircraft: Woody, Buzz Lightyear and Jessie of Toy Story fame. The plane is named “Friendship and Beyond at Disneyland Resort.”
Thai Airways
Credit: Thai AirwaysThai Airways unveiled a special livery of the Suphannahong Royal Barge on a Boeing 777-300 to commemorate the coronation of Thailand’s new King Maha Vajiralongkorn in 2019. The aircraft, royally bestowed the name “Lahan Sai,” is equipped 364 seats: 34 seats in Royal Silk Class and 330 seats in Economy Class. The aircraft has been operated on roundtrip flights from Bangkok-Seoul, Taipei, Beijing, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, and Sapporo to promote Thai culture worldwide.
United Airlines
Credit: United AirlinesUnited Airlines unveiled a Star Wars-themed paint design on a Boeing 737-800 in November 2019 to celebrate the epic conclusion of the Skywalker saga, Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.
Aer Lingus
Credit: Joe PriesAer Lingus introduced a special livery in 2015 saluting Irish Rugby team Green Spirit on an Airbus A320.
Delta Air Lines
Credit: Joe PriesDelta Air Lines raised awareness of the fight against breast cancer on a Boeing 757, dubbed The Pink Plane.
Eurowings
Credit: Joe PriesA Eurowings Airbus A320 features a Europa Park livery, in partnership with the popular Germany theme park.
China Eastern Airlines
Credit: China Eastern AirlinesChina Eastern Airlines introduced a Toy Story-themed livery on an Airbus A330, featuring Buzz Lightyear’s catchphrase, “To Infinity and Beyond,” in 2018.
Sichuan Airlines
Credit: Joe PriesSichuan Airlines Airbus A350-900 special livery features playful pandas, which are native to the Sichuan province of China.
Brussels Airlines
Credit: Joe PriesBrussels Airlines special livery on an Airbus A320 features the Belgian Red Devils team to inspire others to follow their dreams.
Japan Airlines
Credit: Joe PriesJapan Airlines (JAL) special Boeing 787-9 “Arashi Hawaii Jet” celebrated Arashi, a Japanese boy band on its 20th anniversary tour that began in late 2018.
JetBlue Airbus
Credit: Joe PriesA New York-based JetBlue Airbus A320 special livery celebrated volunteerism in “JetBlue for Good Month” for November 2018. The livery encouraged customers and crewmembers to keep up the good work throughout the year.
TAP Air Portugal
Credit: Joe PriesTAP Air Portugal commemorated the first anniversary of its Portugal Stopover program with a special livery in August 2017. The program, which launched in July 2016, gave travelers the opportunity to stop in Lisbon or Porto, en route to their final destination.
WestJet
Credit: Joe PriesCanadian LCC WestJet’s Disney Frozen-themed Boeing 737 debuted in October 2015.
Embraer
Photo courtesy of Embraer.Embraer Profit Hunter was introduced after the E195-E2 received its triple certification in 2019 and entered into commercial service with global launch operator, Azul Linhas Aereas Brasileiras SA, and in Europe, with Spanish regional carrier, Binter Canaries.
NordStar Airlines
Credit: Joe PriesRussia’s NordStar Airlines unveiled a special livery to mark the 2019 Winter Universiade Games, which was held in Krasnoyarsk, one of its hubs. The husky dog—the mascot of the games—was featured on the tail.
Delta Express
Credit: Joe PriesDelta Express Boeing 737-200 in Powerpuff Girls special livery from a 2001 promotion of the Cartoon Network animated series.
Avianca
Credit: Joe PriesAvianca in 2011 unveiled a special livery depicting Juan Valdez, representing the Colombian coffee farmer, in support of the Colombian coffee trade.
Azul
Credit: Joe PriesBrazil’s Azul shows off its patriotism with a Brazilian flag livery on an Airbus A330-200 in 2017.
All Nippon Airways (ANA)
Credit: Joe PriesAll Nippon Airways (ANA) in early 2018 unveiled a new livery on a Boeing 777 to celebrate the 2020 Summer Olympics, which were scheduled to be held in Tokyo in July. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the event has been postponed—for the first time in its history—to July 23-Aug. 8, 2021.
Emirates Airlines
Credit: Joe PriesEmirates Airlines painted “Expo 2020” special liveries on 40 aircraft in April 2019 to advertise the international event in Dubai, which had been scheduled to begin in October 2020. The event has now been postponed to October 2021 because of COVID-19. The aircraft pictured here is an A380.
Delta Air Lines
Credit: Joe PriesDelta Air Lines unveiled a special “THANK YOU” livery in February 2020, dedicated to its more than 90,000 employees, after the Atlanta-based carrier announced $1 billion in profit sharing to employees for the sixth year running and a $1 billion sustainability investment. Inside the big red words are names of all the employees.
Lufthansa
Credit: Joe PriesLufthansa repainted the nose of an Airbus A320 with a soccer ball pattern in support of the World Cup in 2006.
Avianca
Credit: Joe PriesColombia’s flag carrier Avianca saluted the Colombian soccer team in a special livery on an Airbus A319 in 2017.
Alaska Airlines
Credit: Joe PriesAlaska Airlines introduced a “Spirit of Make-A-Wish” aircraft to honor the Make-A-Wish Foundation’s efforts to grant the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions. The special livery was unveiled on a Boeing 737 in November 2006.
Travel Service
Credit: Joe PriesCzech charter airline Travel Service’s special livery on a Boeing 737-800 was a nod to Václav Havel Airport Prague.
United Airlines
Credit: Joe PriesUnited Airlines paid tribute to the New York/New Jersey region in a special livery on a Boeing 757 in September 2019. The design was by artist Corinne Antonelli and was part of the Chicago-based carrier’s “Her Art Here” contest. Antonelli’s design highlighted New York and New Jersey, and included images of the NYC skyline, the Statue of Liberty and the “historic Red Mill in New Jersey.”
LATAM Airlines
Credit: Joe PriesSantiago, Chile-based LATAM Airlines in September 2019 unveiled a Star Wars-themed livery to celebrate the opening of the Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge attraction at Walt Disney World’s resort in Florida. The special livery is pictured here on a Boeing 777-300.
Southwest Airlines
Credit: Joe PriesSouthwest Airlines unveiled “Lone Star One” as its first special states livery in 1991, as the carrier celebrated its 20th anniversary. The special livery, on a Boeing 737-300, paid tribute to Texas, where the carrier is based in Dallas.
Alaska Airlines
Credit: Joe PriesAlaska Airlines’ “More to Love planes,” were introduced in December 2016 to celebrate Alaska Airlines and Virgin America joining forces, featuring a special, one-time, co-branded livery painted in shimmering red, purple and blue. Here is the special livery on an Airbus A321neo.
All Nippon Airways’ (ANA)
Credit: Joe PriesAll Nippon Airways’ (ANA) Pokémon-themed flights, on a Boeing 747, were introduced in 1998 to delight the young and young at heart. On ANA Pokémon Jets, cabin attendants wore Pokémon Jet Aprons welcome you aboard, and the ANA Pokémon Jet theme appeared on headrest covers and paper cups.
Icelandair
Credit: Joe PriesIcelandair’s Hekla Aurora Boeing 757 flew the northern lights across the Atlantic for the first time in 2015. Not only was the Boeing 757 wrapped in the exquisite livery, but Hekla Aurora’s interior was illuminated with beautiful one-of-a-kind mood lighting recreating the fabulous display of the aurora borealis.
Southwest Airlines
Credit: Joe PriesSouthwest Airlines’ special state liveries were first introduced in 1990. In 2005, Maryland One joined the state fleet on a Boeing 737. The Dallas-based carrier arrived at Baltimore-Washington International Airport (BWI) in 1993.
Brussels Airlines
Credit: Joe PriesBrussels Airlines’ Aerosmurf special livery, introduced in 2018 on an Airbus A320, was dedicated to Belgium's beloved small, blue characters, the Smurfs, who have delighted generations all over the globe.
United Airlines
Credit: Joe PriesUnited Airlines’ “Her Art Here California” special livery, unveiled in October 2019, was the second of two “Her Art Here” Boeing 757 aircraft. The project was introduced to spotlight female artists. This California-themed livery was designed by San Francisco-based artist Tsungwei Moo.
Allegiant Air
Credit: Joe PriesLas Vegas-based Allegiant Air’s “Vegas Golden Knights” special livery, on an Airbus A319, unveiled in September 2019, honored its hometown hockey team, the Vegas Golden Knights.
Aeroflot
Credit: Joe PriesAeroflot’s 95th anniversary special livery features a white-and-blue design in stylized traditional Russian patterns, designed by Ekaterina Lesik. The livery was unveiled in May 2018.
Air New Zealand
Credit: Joe PriesAir New Zealand’s Hobbit-themed special livery on a Boeing 777-300 was introduced in 2013.
Rossiya
Credit: Joe PriesRussia’s Rossiya “Caring for Tigers Together” special livery on a Boeing 747-400 was unveiled in February 2017.Airlines have a long history of community spirit—and one way this spirit has traditionally been put on display is in the form of special liveries. These colorful schemes call attention to special causes, generate nostalgia or pay tribute to sports teams, local heroes, the airline’s heritage or national pride. Here is a look at some of the more colorful and fun liveries through the years.
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