You are currently viewing 16 special liveries unveiled in 2025​​

We have a much lighter topic today: airplane liveries. More specifically, special liveries. The livery is the technical term for an aircraft’s entire exterior design. As a fan of both aviation and design, I love this. And in 2025, several special liveries generated quite a bit of interest, including many just in recent weeks.

During my 10-day trip of consecutive flights that I took in mid-December to complete the JetBlue challenge and earn a bonus of hundreds of thousands of points, my Instagram stories about JetBlue’s Super Mario special livery were very popular (when I first saw it, and then when I was able to board days later).

That inspired this post. As did the 2 special liveries unveiled by our flag carrier Air Canada in November alone. And I wanted to talk about those of 3 centennial airlines (or very soon to be centennial). Among many others, like the donut/coffee livery.

Here are 16 of the best special liveries launched by airlines in 2025.

 

What is a special airplane livery?

Every airline has a regular livery.

It’s the design that almost all of the airline’s aircraft wear, so that its brand and identity are easily identifiable and recognizable. A livery normally lasts several years. For example, Air Canada has only had 4 liveries since the 1960s (the current one is very nice).

Air Canada’s regular livery (photo credit: Air Canada)

 

But most airlines also use special liveries on a few aircraft. They’re often temporary (but “temporary” can last for years in this field).

The unique aspect of these special liveries greatly appeals (especially) to AvGeeks (aviation geeks) like me. But they are often very appreciated by ordinary travelers too. For example, EVA Air’s Hello Kitty special livery is one of the most popular.

EVA Air’s Hello Kitty special livery (photo credit: Wikimedia Commons)

 

Special liveries almost always fall into 2 categories (although there are some exceptions):

  • Livery that’s retro/historical/commemorative
  • Livery that highlights a partnership/event/destination

Let’s now look at 16 special liveries.

 

1. Super Mario special livery (JetBlue)

JetBlue launched its Super Mario special livery in March 2025.

JetBlue’s Super Mario special livery (photo credit: JetBlue)

 

The livery is on an Airbus A320. It has nothing to do with JetBlue’s regular livery. It stays mostly blue, so at least there’s that, but the shade of blue is completely different.

It’s a very cool look. There are 6 characters and stars on the side, and the highly recognizable Super Mario logo on the aircraft’s tail.

Mario characters (photo credit: JetBlue)

 

The special livery is to highlight a partnership with Nintendo. They even did a pop-up activation at JetBlue’s biggest hub, New York’s JFK airport: a gaming station for the launch of the Nintendo Switch 2 console.

JetBlue is a US airline with a fleet of 279 aircraft. That’s almost as many as Air Canada, even though they are obviously less known in Canada (they only serve Vancouver). JetBlue focuses mainly on the US East Coast. You can redeem Avios points (RBC Avion points and Amex points are transferable to Avios) on JetBlue, as I did for many of my flights.

Super Mario plane in Fort Lauderdale (photo credit: Andrew D’Amours/Flytrippers)

 

At the beginning of my December trip, I saw the Super Mario plane twice in 2 different airports, and I shared that in my stories on my personal Instagram account (where I share all my travels).

Then, in another airport, I had to wait for my flight at the gate, like those who incredibly still don’t know the tip to get free access to VIP airport lounges.

(It was 1 of only 2 of the 10 airports on my trip where there were no VIP airport lounges. Because being towards the last of my 25 airports for the challenge, I had to visit very cosmopolitan American cities like Richmond and Raleigh, so smaller airports!)

Anyway, I saw the famous Super Mario plane arrive (in a window with a lot of reflection).

Super Mario plane in Richmond (photo credit: Andrew D’Amours/Flytrippers)

 

So I was able to try it. Honestly, I’ve tracked my 619 flights in life (or maybe 620… post to come on that).

But I didn’t take note when they were special liveries, and I have no particular memory of having taken another plane with a special livery in all those many flights (my memory isn’t the best, though).

Inside, the screen had Super Mario elements too, but nothing else (sometimes airlines push the special theme further than that, as I’ll show you below).

Super Mario-themed screen (photo credit: Andrew D’Amours/Flytrippers)

 

One last note, because I find it super interesting. Like many airlines, JetBlue gives each aircraft a name. What’s unique is that there’s almost always a play on words with the color blue (like “Can’t Stop Lovin’ Blue”).

The Super Mario plane was named “Cloudtop Cruiser” (the name of a track in Mario Kart), so it is one of the rare JetBlue plane names without a reference to blue.

 

2. Olympic Games special livery (Air Canada)

Air Canada launched its special livery for the Olympic Games in November 2025.

Air Canada’s Olympic Games special livery (photo credit: Air Canada)

 

The livery is on an Airbus A330-300. It’s Air Canada’s regular livery, with some modifications. The coolest is the maple leaf roundel on the tail that is gold instead of red (a nice touch).

There are also images of some of the athlete-ambassadors on the fuselage in front of another subtle gold touch, the inscription “Fly the flag” and “Haut le drapeau” (depending on the side), and the Olympic and Paralympic team logos toward the front.

French side (photo credit: Air Canada)

 

The special livery is to highlight the partnership with the Canadian Olympic team, once again. I had already done a post on Air Canada special liveries when I was invited to the media event for the unveiling of the one for the 2024 Summer Olympics.

Air Canada is our Canadian flag carrier airline. You probably know it. It’s our country’s largest airline, and by far. You might have an Aeroplan credit card that gives you free bags on Air Canada and points that you should instead redeem on Air Canada’s airline partners.

2024 edition up close (photo credit: Andrew D’Amours/Flytrippers)

 

Air Canada is also our country’s only truly global airline, so it makes sense that it’s a major partner of the Olympic team once again for these Games in Italy.

Still, nothing obligates them to support the athletes this much. It’s really cool that they invest so much, because there’s really not just this pretty aircraft.

Here’s what athletes get thanks to the partnership:

It’s a useful way to encourage those who will represent our country at the Milano-Cortina d’Ampezzo Olympic Games, which begin in 1 month (but apparently, those who are building the arena didn’t get the memo).

Gold maple leaf on the 2024 edition (photo credit: Andrew D’Amours/Flytrippers)

 

3. Olympic Games special livery (Delta)

Delta launched its special livery for the Olympic Games in October 2025.

Delta’s Olympic Games special livery (photo credit: Delta)

 

The livery is on an Airbus A350-900. It’s once again based on the regular livery, but the addition of the American flag colors covers most of the fuselage that is normally white, with a special wave on the belly all the way to the front.

There’s “TEAM USA” written in white on these added colors, as well as the Olympic logos and the mention “Official airline of Team USA” at the front. There are also 26 white stripes for the 2026 Games. The wave pattern is inspired by the landscapes around Milan.

Front of the aircraft (photo credit: Delta)

 

The special livery is to highlight the partnership with the Olympic and Paralympic teams; it’s really very similar to what Air Canada does.

Delta is a US airline with a fleet of 1300 aircraft. It’s part of the SkyTeam alliance. It’s the #1 airline in the world by many measures, including by revenue. And incredibly, they lose money operating flights: it’s their credit cards that provide them with billions in profits. Credit cards really are a wonderful world!

Aircraft on the runway (photo credit: Delta)

 

I wanted to at least highlight this livery to show that often it’s similar from one country to another and from one airline to another.

There are probably several other airlines in the world that have special liveries for the Olympics, but I chose this one to include, since Canada and the United States have such good relations these days (the 8 updates on Trump and travel to the United States were very popular).

 

4. 100th anniversary special livery (American)

American launched its special livery for its 100th anniversary in October 2025.

American’s 100th anniversary special livery (photo credit: American)

 

The livery is on a Boeing 777-300. There’s the “Flagship” name that AA has been using for 90 years, the orange lightning bolt that was there in the 1930s, and the iconic historical “eagle connecting the world” logo.

It’s both commemorative and retro. The livery is inspired by one of their past liveries, but modernized. It’s absolutely magnificent. It’s completely different from American Airlines’ current livery; that’s the case with the best special liveries, I find.

American Flagship livery (photo credit: aapilotwife)

 

The special livery is to highlight its centennial (in 2026). It’s impressive when any company lasts 100 years, but it’s obviously even more so for airlines! There are very few in the world that have existed for 100 years. Humanity’s very first flight was in 1903 (and lasted 12 seconds)…

American is an American airline with a fleet of 1,600 aircraft. It’s part of the oneworld alliance, so you can book with Avios points. It’s the #1 airline in the world by number of flights and passengers. And they also lose money operating flights… and still make billions in profits thanks to the existence of credit cards!

Inspiration for the special livery (photo credit: American)

 

As mentioned previously, one of the most common types of special liveries is the retro livery. So it’s very appropriate that American chose this route for a 100th anniversary livery.

It’s really a sublime plane. The only possible improvement would have been for the background color to be metallic, which was the norm in the past, before white was adopted almost universally.

American uses a pale gray on its regular livery, so it’s at least a bit different from white. They kept their same gray for the special livery.

The special livery was named “Flagship”. It’s a brand that AA already uses for the branding of its long-distance business class and for its more upscale VIP airport lounge network (yes, several airlines have 2 levels of lounges).

AA Flagship Lounge in Chicago (photo credit: Andrew D’Amours/Flytrippers)

 

By the way, American Airlines’ brand-new, improved long-haul business class, which launched this year, now has sliding doors, one of the most premium features that exists. It’s offered on the 100th anniversary plane.

It’s called the Flagship Suite, and you can book it with Avios points. Never pay for business class flights in cash!

A lie-flat pod seat is incredible, but as I can very well testify myself… a lie-flat pod seat behind a sliding door that gives so much privacy is incredibly better.

New Flagship Suite business class (photo credit: American Airlines)

 

It’s a North American airline, so the quality of service and experience isn’t at the level of airlines like Qatar Airways and its Qsuite, which also has a door and which can also be booked with Avios points.

But it still looks great.

 

5. 100th anniversary special livery (Delta)

Delta launched its special livery for its 100th anniversary in March 2025.

Delta’s 100th anniversary special livery (photo credit: Delta)

 

The livery is on an Airbus A350 and on an Airbus A321neo. It’s interesting to see the different approach for the same type of special livery. Delta didn’t choose the retro route, opting for a rather sober livery that isn’t that different from the regular one.

The tail logo changed from burgundy red to silver, there’s a big blue and silver “swoosh” above the wings, and there’s a big blue and silver “100 years” logo.

Pattern above the wings (photo credit: Delta)

 

The special livery is to highlight its centennial, too (obviously). Indeed, Delta Air Lines is the oldest airline on the North American continent, and one of the oldest in the world.

Delta, American, and United are considered the “Big 3” of the United States. They compete fiercely… even for their centennials. Yes, United will also celebrate 100 years in 2026, so we can hope for another 100th anniversary special livery!

Rare 3-digit age number (photo credit: Delta)

 

If you’re interested, the Delta name comes from the Mississippi Delta region. It’s a destination I found very pleasant to visit as a music fan, but not to be confused with the Mississippi River Delta (very similar names).

The airline is based a bit further East than the region that gave it its name, in Atlanta, where its mega-hub is the busiest airport in the world (and has been for almost 30 years, except 1 year during the pandemic).

Iconic “widget” logo in silver (photo credit: Delta)

 

6. 100th anniversary special livery (Lufthansa)

Lufthansa launched its special livery for its 100th anniversary in November 2025.

Special fleet (photo credit: Lufthansa)

 

The livery is on a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner initially, but will also be applied to 5 other aircraft (Boeing 747-8, Airbus A380, Airbus A350-1000, Airbus A350-900, Airbus A320).

Honestly, the special livery is so much better than their super dull and bland Eurowhite regular livery. The all-blue look with the white crane that blends into the wing is superb. There are silver numbers on each side (“100” and “1926-2026”).

Lufthansa’s 100th anniversary special livery (photo credit: Lufthansa)

 

The special livery is to highlight its upcoming centennial in 2026. That’s the last centennial of this post, I promise.

Lufthansa is the German flag carrier airline with a fleet of 300 aircraft. It’s part of the Star Alliance, so you can redeem your Aeroplan points as I did for a nice business class flight to Munich this summer. Don’t miss my recap of my 9 business class flights from 2025 this weekend!

Other side of the livery (photo credit: Lufthansa)

 

It’s a great option to redeem your Aeroplan points at the guaranteed fixed price (there are 40+ other Aeroplan partner airlines; stop redeeming your precious Aeroplan points on Air Canada).

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Lufthansa is one of the biggest airlines in Europe. They also own several other airlines (SWISS, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, ITA Airways, Edelweiss, Eurowings, Discover, Air Dolomiti).

The first aircraft with the special 100th anniversary livery just landed in Frankfurt on December 23rd (it’s a brand new aircraft), and the rest of the fleet of 6 special planes will enter service during 2026.

 

7. Special livery for the 50th A220 (airBaltic)

airBaltic launched its special livery for its 50th Airbus A220 (CSeries) in February 2025.

airBaltic special livery (photo credit: airBaltic)

 

The livery is on an A220 (obviously), specifically an A220-300. It’s based on their regular livery, with very nice additions that took 18 days to complete in Mirabel, Québec. There’s a girl with long hair in the wind and a traditional wreath. And especially a long Latvian flag that terminates on the plane’s tail (which is normally all green).

The flag carrier airline of Latvia has the distinction of also being the carrier for the other 2 Baltic countries (Lithuania and Estonia), so the design incorporates several representative elements from all 3 countries, like a ladybug, a swallow, and a stork. There are a whopping 21 different shades of colors.

Closer view (photo credit: airBaltic)

 

The special livery is to mark the 50th A220 aircraft received by the airline. So it’s a bit different from an anniversary, but it’s still commemorative.

airBaltic operates a fleet composed entirely of Airbus A220s! Most importantly, it was the launch customer for the A220-300 variant (the larger of the 2)! They now have 52 of them; they’re the 3rd-largest operator worldwide (only Delta and JetBlue are ahead).

 

I also wanted to include it because there’s excellent news regarding airBaltic: it’s the newest Aeroplan partner airline! I didn’t have time to talk about it during the recent announcement, but I’ll do so in our January roundup post on travel rewards updates coming soon.

What you need to know is that it gives you another great option to redeem your Aeroplan points at the guaranteed fixed price.

airBaltic doesn’t have long-distance flights, so it’s one of the few Aeroplan partners that aren’t useful for getting the best deal that exists, which is good business classes with points. But it’s always good to have more partner airlines and therefore more available seats at the guaranteed fixed price.

And Eastern Europe is the best of Europe’s regions!

And speaking of the A220, my 25th JetBlue flight to conclude the challenge was precisely on an A220, and I was able to sit in the cockpit to see the Canadian engineering up close. That’s always very cool! Don’t hesitate to ask for that on your next flight if you like planes.

A220 cockpit (photo credit: Andrew D’Amours/Flytrippers)

 

8. Atomium special livery (Brussels Airlines)

Brussels Airlines launched its Atomium special livery in March 2025.

Brussels Airlines special livery (photo credit: Brussels Airlines)

 

The livery is on an A320. It’s the regular livery, but the white is almost entirely covered with a creative interpretation of Brussels’ famous landmark, the Atomium. The text “We fly you to the home of the Atomium” is on each side (in English, and not in the country’s 3 official languages).

The Atomium logo also appears on the engine nacelles and on the aircraft’s belly. Even the aircraft’s interior is special, whether it’s on the forward bulkhead, the seat fabric, or the overhead compartments.

Overhead compartments (photo credit: Brussels Airlines)

 

The special livery is to highlight one of the country’s greatest attractions, the 102-meter-tall structure that is quite unique! I didn’t even go to the Atomium (it’s far from the city center) when I went to Brussels on my 1st-ever trip to Europe, as I figured I’d be back. I never went back, so now I kind of regret it.

Brussels Airlines is Belgium’s flag carrier, with a fleet of 46 aircraft, but a very limited North American network (2 US destinations). It’s a Star Alliance member and therefore an Aeroplan partner airline. It’s part of the Lufthansa Group.

Front of aircraft (photo credit: Brussels Airlines)

 

Brussels Airlines actually has a collection of 4 special liveries titled “Belgian Icons”.

I can’t help but mention my favorite. It’s the Tintin one called “Rackham”, with the iconic submarine from the comic book series (this aircraft’s interior is also Tintin-themed).

Tintin special livery (photo credit: Brussels Airlines)

 

What’s interesting is that the public can participate and propose the design of the “Belgian Icons”. In this case, 900 submissions were received, and a jury selected the Atomium.

 

9. Harry Potter special livery (LATAM)

LATAM launched its Harry Potter special livery in November 2025.

LATAM special livery (photo credit: LATAM)

 

The livery is on a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner (and will also be on an Airbus A320 later). It’s their regular livery, with a large Harry Potter decal covering most of the white section. I’ve never watched or read any of that (I hate fantasy), but my girlfriend tells me the images chosen are very iconic.

Here, the livery isn’t just visual, because it’s a complete campaign that includes collectibles, a special interior cabin, and even food inspired by the Harry Potter universe. All the films are available onboard.

Closer view (photo credit: LATAM)

 

The special livery is to mark the 25th anniversary of the first film in 2026 and the partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery.

LATAM is South America’s largest airline, with hubs in 5 countries (Chile, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay). It has a fleet of 346 aircraft and hasn’t been part of any alliance since leaving oneworld in 2020, but it still has non-alliance partnerships with several airlines (you can redeem your Avios points, for example).

 

An advertising campaign was also launched. LATAM says Harry Potter is a great fit with “the airline’s mission to connect people, destinations, and inspiring stories.”

A bit like the Nintendo partnership, LATAM promises special activations at airports, giveaways, etc.

 

10. Wanderlust special livery (SWISS)

SWISS launched its Wanderlust special livery in March 2025.

SWISS special livery (photo credit: SWISS)

 

The livery is on its very 1st Airbus A350 (an A350-900). It’s once again the regular livery, but with the addition of special elements all along the fuselage and on the engine nacelle. It’s not paint, but rather numerous decals stuck on the fuselage.

There are plenty of typically Swiss elements depicted: famous monuments, traditional art motifs, sporting events, a rock legend, an alpine rodent, and more.

Closer view (photo credit: SWISS)

 

The livery is to mark the delivery of the 1st A350 and honor Switzerland. Many special liveries honor specific destinations, usually the airline’s entire home country (but I have city/state examples below).

SWISS is Switzerland’s flag carrier, with a fleet of 94 aircraft. Like sister companies Brussels Airlines and Lufthansa, it’s part of Star Alliance, and its Zurich routes to Toronto and Montreal are actually some of those that most often have available seats in our new business class deals section.

With Swiss landscape (photo credit: SWISS)

 

The new SWISS A350 has an excellent business class, finally. It’s the new SWISS Senses business class. The one on their other aircraft is much more dated and is less interesting, honestly. It’s important to check that.

 

11. Formula 1 special livery (Qatar Airways)

Qatar Airways launched its Formula 1 special livery in November 2025.

Qatar Airways’ Formula 1 special livery (photo credit: Qatar Airways)

 

The livery is on a Boeing 777-300ER. The airline’s name (in English and Arabic) and the oryx emblem on the tail resemble the regular livery, but the colors are completely different.

Wow. Like Lufthansa, Qatar Airways should use this color design permanently. The burgundy red put forward is very beautiful, and the black accent is very premium, like the world’s best airline’s positioning. All they’d need to do is erase the F1 logo.

Low-altitude flight (photo credit: Qatar Airways)

 

The special livery is to highlight the partnership with F1; Qatar Airways is the global airline partner. The livery was unveiled during the Qatar Grand Prix, and there was even a low-altitude flight over the track before the race.

Qatar Airways is a Qatari airline that has been winning the title of world’s best airline for several years (and also of world’s best business class; it’s true that it’s exceptional). It’s part of oneworld, and you can redeem Avios points.

Stars paid by Qatar Airways (photo credit: Qatar Airways)

 

The livery was designed by artist Swizz Beatz.

I actually attended an intimate concert he gave at the exclusive Marriott Bonvoy/American Express evening during the Art Basel Miami festival a few years ago; I was very disappointed when I went earlier this month; the Marriott evening wasn’t happening (for the first time)!

Anyway, the airline launched an initiative called Qatar Airways Creative 100 in collaboration with him, hence his involvement. Everything will be launched during the brand new Art Basel Qatar, the 5th location of the event. Everything is in everything.

Speaking of 1st times, this isn’t the 1st time Qatar Airways has unveiled a special livery related to the sports world. In fact, it isn’t even the 1st time in 2025.

Earlier this year, they also unveiled a special livery for the UEFA Champions League. That one was much less impressive.

Qatar Airways’ UEFA special livery (photo credit: Qatar Airways)

 

12. Holiday special livery (Spirit Airlines)

Spirit launched its Holiday special livery in December 2025.

Spirit’s Holiday special livery (photo credit: Spirit)

 

The livery is on an Airbus A320. Spirit’s all-yellow regular livery is very unique in the world, and they simply added a festive Christmas sweater pattern, with snowmen and gingerbread men.

It’s quirky and well-thought-out, but it’s not the design itself that’s behind the big controversy around this special livery.

Holiday patterns (photo credit: Spirit)

 

The special livery is to highlight the holiday season, which is a bit strange because that doesn’t last long (and they unveiled it on December 18th, which is quite late indeed).

Spirit is the US airline that was the pioneer of the ultra low-cost (ULCC) model in the United States. But it’s currently experiencing very serious financial difficulties, so this somewhat frivolous expense for a special livery isn’t going over very well.

 

Indeed, things aren’t going well at Spirit. Even worse than at Air Transat, which just unveiled its 2025 results (finally, they made a bit of money, after 6 consecutive years of net losses).

Rumors of a merger between Spirit and Frontier, the other big American ULCC, are becoming more and more insistent. That would obviously be better than an acquisition by a non-ULCC (or a Spirit collapse).

It was with Spirit that I discovered the ULCC model myself in 2011, having taken 30 of my 90+ ULCC flights with them. The majority were between Plattsburgh and Florida, for as little as 41 USD roundtrip not so long ago.

 

13. Zootopia special livery (Air Canada)

Air Canada launched its Zootopia special livery in November 2025.

Air Canada’s Zootopia special livery (photo credit: Air Canada)

 

The livery is on an Airbus A220 (CSeries). It’s Air Canada’s regular livery, with the movie logo as well as big images of the main characters.

It’s very colorful. But it’s true that some special liveries are aimed much more at children than adults.

Zootopia characters (photo credit: Air Canada)

 

The special livery is to highlight the partnership with Disney and the release of Zootopia 2. I had to read the press release because I had no idea what it was (I fortunately don’t have to watch children’s movies).

Air Canada is quite selective with its special liveries, but they had already done 2 with Disney in the past (for Wish in 2023 and for Turning Red in 2022).

Old Disney livery (photo credit: Air Canada)

 

The marketing folks always have nice turns of phrase. Similar to LATAM, Air Canada says that “this livery reminds us that travel, like tales, sparks imagination, strengthens bonds, and inspires wonder.”

Another North American airline that launched a special livery with Disney in 2025 is Alaska Airlines (also part of oneworld and also bookable with Avios points). Their Tiana (The Princess and the Frog) livery is another one that’s quite popular with kids.

Alaska Airlines’ Tiana special livery (photo credit: Alaska Airlines)

 

14. Zootopia special livery (China Airlines)

China Airlines launched its Zootopia special livery in October 2025.

China Airlines’ Zootopia special livery (photo credit: China Airlines)

 

The livery is on a Boeing 777. It’s very similar to Air Canada’s, with the movie logo (in traditional Chinese characters) and images of a few characters on the airline’s regular livery.

It looks less intense because there are fewer characters and especially because it’s on a much bigger plane (just the 777’s engine has a larger circumference than the entire fuselage of narrow-body aircraft).

Aerial view of the livery (photo credit: China Airlines)

 

The special livery is also to highlight the partnership with Disney and the release of Zootopia 2. This clearly shows that Disney often uses this marketing technique all around the world.

China Airlines is a Taiwanese airline (and not a Chinese one; the Republic of China and the People’s Republic of China are often confused). It’s even the country’s flag carrier airline, with a fleet of 85 aircraft. It’s part of SkyTeam.

Special elements on board (photo credit: China Airlines)

 

What’s different from Air Canada is that China Airlines offers a special Disney experience from check-in all the way to onboard service. That makes the flight even more unique. They have a website with all the details.

China Airlines has another even cooler special livery since 2022 that also offers a special experience at the airport and on board: the Pikachu jet. They also have a website about this extraordinary plane.

China Airlines’ Pikachu special livery (photo credit: China Airlines)

 

China Airlines’ big rival is EVA Air, which has several aircraft with Hello Kitty special liveries that are, without a doubt, among the most popular in the world. Many fans book flights specifically to experience being on board a Hello Kitty plane.

If you’ve ever been to Taiwan (one of the most underrated Asian countries in my opinion), you know they love characters like that over there. I actually took China Airlines between Taiwan and the United States for the longest flight of my round-the-world trip in the Fall of 2024.

Long China Airlines flight (photo credit: Andrew D’Amours/Flytrippers)

 

Chinese airlines generally have a pretty bad reputation, and China Airlines is often sadly put in the same basket, unlike its Taiwanese rivals EVA Air and Starlux.

It’s unfortunate because it’s an excellent airline. But most people aren’t that informed about the China-Taiwan conflict, like on the vast majority of subjects, actually.

 

15. Dunkin’ special livery (JetBlue)

JetBlue launched its Dunkin’ special livery in May 2025.

JetBlue’s Dunkin’ special livery (photo credit: JetBlue)

 

The livery is on an Airbus A320. There’s no blue on this one! I saw it in person, and the look is very bright and original; it stands out compared to the omnipresence of the usual colors in airports.

It’s entirely in the bright orange and pink colors of Dunkin’ (formerly Dunkin’ Donuts). The tail has a big donut or a coffee cup, depending on the side. The Dunkin’ and JetBlue names appear in white.

 

The special livery is to highlight the partnership with Dunkin’ and the fact that the chain provides coffee on board JetBlue flights.

JetBlue has its 2 biggest hubs in the northeastern United States, and that’s precisely where Dunkin’ is particularly popular. The 2 brands are made for each other.

Colors that stand out (photo credit: Andrew D’Amours/Flytrippers)

 

I wanted to talk about it because the plane is very cool, but also because it’s a good example of what I just mentioned. Sometimes, the special livery comes with other things.

In this case, for the Dunkin’ livery launch in May, everyone who was on that plane on Mondays for several weeks got free JetBlue TrueBlue elite status and Dunkin’ Rewards elite status!

Here’s an idea for a Canadian airline that would want to put a big Tim Hortons donut on its plane, to take advantage of the fact that plenty of Canadians apparently love Tim Hortons (one of the many things in life I’ll honestly never understand).

Tim Hortons, disappointing no matter the country (photo credit: Andrew D’Amours/Flytrippers)

 

16. Boston special livery (JetBlue)

JetBlue launched its Boston special livery in December 2025.

JetBlue’s Boston special livery (photo credit: JetBlue)

 

The livery is also on an Airbus A320. This one is more subtle, using exactly the same blue as the regular livery.

All that’s different is the addition of very nice lettering (postcard style) with the name of the city of Boston and a passport stamp on the tail.

Close-up of the letters (photo credit: JetBlue)

 

The special livery is to commemorate over 20 years of JetBlue’s operations in Boston. It’s now the airline’s 2nd biggest hub.

JetBlue is actually one of the airlines with the most special liveries. It would be great if others went all in like them; for example, JetBlue even has a page on its website that lists all the liveries (be careful not to throw up when seeing the Bruins one).

All JetBlue special liveries (photo credit: JetBlue)

 

I wanted to include this one because it illustrates 2 things well:

  • The kind of destination focus behind some special liveries
  • The fact that some airlines are much bigger fans of special liveries than others

By the way, the aircraft was named “Wicked Blue”. It’s a nice local touch, because people from Boston are particularly known for their use of the word “wicked” (to say “very”).

If you’re interested in the Boston one’s details, each letter in the image also includes a nod to a famous Boston landmark:

  • An MBTA train
  • The Paul Revere statue
  • The Zakim Bridge
  • A lobster
  • The Massachusetts State House
  • The Rainbow Swash mural by the waterfront

It’s the kind of very special and very local touch that’s really interesting to see.

Another massive American airline that’s as little-known to Canadians as JetBlue, Southwest, does many special liveries to highlight its presence in specific cities and states.

They don’t seem to have launched any new ones in 2025, but one of their most appreciated is the one with the Colorado flag colors.

Southwest’s Colorado special livery (photo credit: Wikimedia Commons)

 

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Summary

Airplane special liveries bring a bit of novelty and originality to airlines’ otherwise very uniform fleets. Those unveiled in 2025 are very interesting, whether they’re retro/historical/commemorative liveries or to highlight partnerships/events/destinations.

 

What would you like to know about special liveries? Tell us in the comments below.

 

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Featured image: Super Mario and Atomium special liveries (photo credit: JetBlue and Brussels Airlines)

Andrew D'Amours

Andrew is the co-founder of Flytrippers. He is passionate about traveling the world but also, as a former management consultant, about the travel industry itself. He shares his experiences to help you save money on travel. As a very cost-conscious traveler, he loves finding deals and getting free travel thanks to travel rewards points... to help him visit every country in the world (current count: 71/193 Countries, 47/50 US States & 9/10 Canadian Provinces).

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