What’s your favorite special livery?

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Boss-fight601@reddit

I’m not even a Star Wars fan, but this livery is gas

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samosamancer@reddit

Can’t mention one without the other. :D I am so sad that ANA’s discontinued them.

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-malcolm-tucker@reddit

These are not the planes you've been looking for.

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aDerpyPenguin@reddit

I have the little scale model of this on my shelf. Probably my favorite livery as well.

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ayasnt@reddit

Cargolux' LX-VCFacemask and LX-VCM cutaway liveries are definitely up there, idk why no one else mentioned them.

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Jmg3@reddit

This one flew into Indy last week and I saw it in the sky and had to look it up because of the nose!

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Photosynthetic@reddit

…TIL that they exist. And thank you for teaching me that, because they are delightful.

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ssam_abt@reddit

It’s from their instagram page but it was a bit low quality so I put it through an image enhancer :( there’s no need to be rude

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theaviationhistorian@reddit

Which airport is this? I like it when the terminals have a tarmac jutting in between it and the property boundary like with LAX and Terminal 1 or SAN and its former first gates in their Terminal 1.

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ZeroOptionLightning@reddit

SeaTac D gates. At the very end where AA loves boarding 2 flights simultaneously next to each other.

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theaviationhistorian@reddit

I don't know why I didn't register the trees as the PNW. For some reason my brain decided that this was the east coast! Thanks for answering as my exhausted mind was doing circles around this!

Man, that gate closest to the fence is really close! SAN Terminal 1 Gate 1 close! At least, before the skybridges were removed to make way for the terminal expansion.

Although it does remind me of ELP gates B6-B10 where you can see the aircraft there when arriving at the airport!

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rudedogg1304@reddit

Very cool. Is there a reason we don’t see the kind of paint jobs you would’ve seen in the 50s , where it was kinda shiny / metallic? Or is it a completely different material Now ?

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crozone@reddit

Or is it a completely different material Now ?

It's all composite underneath the paint so there's no metal to polish up. You could probably do a chrome paint job but it I assume it would be ungodly expensive.

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Jetstar has recently stopped painting their planes in their iconic silver for at least two reasons. Those being how much weight the metallic flakes add, how hard it is to match parts since the colour fades so unevenly.

I know it isn’t chrome but it’s an interesting fact nonetheless

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SkyscraperNC@reddit

I think it’s a different material now. Shame, because the shiny was pretty

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SackOfCats@reddit

I just flew this one a couple weeks ago.

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AverageAircraftFan@reddit

If we’re counting all planes and not just airlines, this one by far

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TheAgedProfessor@reddit

My dad designed these, so maybe I'm biased.

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AverageAircraftFan@reddit

Oh, those are on display at the EAA Museum in Oshkosh!

Thats my nearest aviation museum. The NextGen Eagles fly at EAA too, im pretty sure

Thats sick

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TheAgedProfessor@reddit

Yes, I was so happy to see the NextGen Eagles using the original liveries.

Dad did the paint scheme for the Eagle II's, too (actually, that came first)... the original prototype is in the Oshkosh museum, as well.

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Capital_Shame_5077@reddit

Damn! That’s so cool

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fireinthesky7@reddit

I've never seen this before! The airport in my hometown had a Stearman painted in those same colors that the owner flew pretty frequently.

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Capital_Shame_5077@reddit

I’ve seen it!

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McNuts20@reddit

Shit picture but this southwest one I rode on a few years back is favorite

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TheMeltingPointOfWax@reddit

I wish Southwest would go permanently back to corndog livery. For now we just have the HK special.

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Sunny-Nebula@reddit

Imua One, N8710M

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Sunny-Nebula@reddit

Imua One, N8710M

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AeroSavvy@reddit

Alexander Calder Braniff DC-8

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stevc84@reddit

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ImpossibleFront7991@reddit

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TheAgedProfessor@reddit

Flew on this a year or so ago. Not my absolute favorite ever, but it seemed understated and respectful.

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Shroom-Kitty@reddit

ANA sea turtles

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TheAgedProfessor@reddit

Wow, the FD windshields are really well incorporated in those! That's gorgeous.

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martinjh99@reddit

Those are brilliant - Reminds me of the livery on thee Current Airbus BelugaXL which also has painted eyes!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Airbus_BelugaXL#/media/File:Hamburg-Finkenwerder_Airport_Airbus_Transport_International_Airbus_A330-743L_Beluga_XL_F-GXLH_(DSC09365).jpg

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tardis3134@reddit

YES I was just about to post this! I love the turtles :3

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samosamancer@reddit

I can’t wait to fly on one of these. I saw 2 of them parked at NRT recently - my first A380 sightings in years!

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Shroom-Kitty@reddit

I watched the blue one taxi when I was there a few years ago, it is so adorable. It's probably only the third A380 I've ever seen. I don't usually travel to big hubs, so it's always a treat to see one, but this one was exceptionally special.

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samosamancer@reddit

Ditto, I lived in a smaller city for many years and only saw A380s once every few years. I’m now on the US west coast, and while we don’t get A380s in Seattle, it’s very easy to get to cities that do. :)

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oblique_shockwave@reddit

Maybe recency bias but the Lufthansa 100-year livery is dope af

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martinjh99@reddit

I just added it to the list - Definitely the best airplane in their fleet!

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lunytooth@reddit

It really is such a clever livery, so much better than their new livery.

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Jlx_27@reddit

I need this mod, what site did you get it from?

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Gluteuz-Maximus@reddit

Gta5-mods. com. Just search for Lufthansa, FSven has the livery for every aircraft

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dreamcast98@reddit

I wish this one become a new official one. Current one looks so bland compared to this.

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DublinLions@reddit

GTA V screenshot is an unusual way to show it but, it works I guess.

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luerlockin@reddit

This 👍🏽👍🏽

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TheLastUpdate_86@reddit

Absolutely agree, the, cooked with this one, looks good on all the planes they did it for Imo

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martinjh99@reddit

Lufthansa's 100 yeaar celebration livery - It's great on all the planes they have it on but nothing tops a 747 in that livery...

https://newsroom.lufthansagroup.com/en/queen-of-the-skies-now-also-features-xxl-crane-for-100th-founding-anniversary/

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shityplumber@reddit

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skyliners_a340@reddit

:(

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inimicali@reddit

I just can't open your link, it's too small for my phone lol

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xqk13@reddit

There was a bot for tiny hyperlinks but I haven’t seen it in quite some time

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Techhead7890@reddit

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Singapore_Airlines_Flight_006

RIP :(

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JonBuqajIsSUS@reddit

This made me pull out my S-Pen to click it

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waiting-for-the-sun@reddit

Fucking same. I must've tried 20 times

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theaviationhistorian@reddit

I remember how beautiful it was. It was a tragic coincidence how it was involved in that crash. I loved how Singapore Airlines would call their 747-400s Big Top!

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mikepapafoxtrot@reddit

SQ called their 747-400s Megatop; Big Top was what they called their 747-300.

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theaviationhistorian@reddit

True, I forgot about that.

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superdookietoiletexp@reddit

There were two of them, but the other was repainted soon after the crash in TPE.

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BleachIF@reddit

Rip

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gbbxl@reddit

Brussels Airlines ‘Rackham’

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TheVoicesSpeakToMe@reddit

Everyones talking about the 100 years livery (which does look amazing) but seeing a retro livery on a -8 has always been really cool for me.

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definitelyainoreally@reddit

This one ends up at SFO quite often. Still haven't seen the 100 years one yet

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BankHottas@reddit

My only time flying on a 757. I was about 12. We had booked an LTU flight, but got to board this beauty that smelled like freshly baked bread. A flight I’ll never forget.

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Liko81@reddit

It was (and is) contentious given Sea World's record on the animals in their care, but I always liked Southwest's Shamu livery:

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puntapuntapunta@reddit

The Canadian goose livery was always pretty rad.

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fireinthesky7@reddit

Make way for the Cobra Chicken.

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-malcolm-tucker@reddit

Majestic. Barrel chested. The envy of all ornithologies.

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DaBigBird27@reddit

The Simpsons on Western Pacific

I remember seeing this once in LAX in the late 90s.

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PigsAlsoCanFly@reddit

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SuspendBrady4Games@reddit

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Patient-Frosting6620@reddit (OP)

This! And there 787 livery too.

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Not_Daniel_Dreiberg@reddit

Yes, the Quetzalcoatl. Beautiful.

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random352486@reddit

JA607A, Air Do's Rokon Jet.

I just think it's a really cool design with each side of the plane being painted differently.

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Few-Lengthiness4017@reddit

el al retro maybe

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kakakatia@reddit

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Cool-Constant4319@reddit

Lotr

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Worried_Tap7290@reddit

The one and only YT (not my own photo).

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Less-Dinner7205@reddit

how about this🥰

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HungryPigeonn@reddit

As a graphic designer this livery upsets me 😳

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Yanii3004@reddit

As a graphic designer too it upsets me also 😳

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Worried_Tap7290@reddit

Own photo below. Love her.

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Worried_Tap7290@reddit

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selfhostcusimbored@reddit

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Jlx_27@reddit

Love the Dutch flag on those. (/s)

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CWinter85@reddit

It's a Yugoslavian flag.

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brazzers-official@reddit

Yeah the classic American airlines are just timeless. I'd fly on with just for the look of the blank metal.

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selfhostcusimbored@reddit

Still remember the first time I saw that livery as a kid. Immediately fell in love with planes. The tail engine is just a timeless look similar to a Bugatti imo.

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samosamancer@reddit

If they can find a way to recreate the aluminum look on carbon-composite aircraft, it would be incredible if they brought this back. Massimo Vignelli got so much mileage (pun intended) out of Helvetica across his entire portfolio.

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jembutbrodol@reddit

Might be double bias because i love the long boi and F1

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DayAccurate3134@reddit

Icelandair Helka Aurora

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Proof-Masterpiece487@reddit

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EspritLibre_404@reddit

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xfalinex@reddit

Had the pleasure of flying on one of these last year, beautiful livery

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yodleleyehaw@reddit

I saw it in person once and stupidly convinced myself that it was the standard livery and I was misremembering 😐

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Groveldog@reddit

Oooh, Perf!

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-malcolm-tucker@reddit

Had to scroll too far to see our Kiwi cousins represented.

Maybe one day there will be a laser kiwi livery...

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chalk_in_boots@reddit

This is the correct answer. Absolutely great seeing them overhead coming in to land at Sydney. Sitting in the park it's just like "Dash 8, Dash 8, Dash 8, 737, two border collies, Dash 8, OOOOHHH ANZ special livery!"

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todayilearmed@reddit

South African Airways ‘Ndziani’

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osmia-lignaria@reddit

i love lovveeeee this one!!!!

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crucible@reddit

Ed Force One:

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riempies88@reddit

I got to see this one at OR Tambo international on their South African leg of the tour. Was pretty cool.

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VMaxF1@reddit

The day after they played this tour in my city, I was at the airport to look at the arriving An-225. It was quite a sight for those two to be parked next to each other!

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Twitter_2006@reddit

Iron Maiden are awesome - up the Irons /m/

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JonBuqajIsSUS@reddit

For me this, the Swiss A350 Wanderlust

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MudMonyet22@reddit

Malaysia Airlines' Freedom of Space livery worn on 9M-MRD.

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mattyGOAT1996@reddit

RIP

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mattyGOAT1996@reddit

Malaysia Airlines Hibiscus

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felipe0093@reddit

Idk but that plane looks insane man

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mymyby@reddit

The only special livery I’ve actually flown, but it’s a good one - everything from check-in & ticketing, to on board even down to the safety video, was Sanrio.

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Sunny-Nebula@reddit

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samosamancer@reddit

Alaska’s United Negro College Fund livery

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Sunny-Nebula@reddit

Anyone have a better photo of this one?

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samosamancer@reddit

Alaska’s orca livery

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samosamancer@reddit

Alaska’s Xáat Kwáani livery

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samosamancer@reddit

Alaska’s Salmon-Thirty-Salmon livery :)

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samosamancer@reddit

Alaska’s Virgin-America-acquisition livery

(I’m not an Alaska shill, I just really like their livery!)

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samosamancer@reddit

And, controversially, Alaska’s new 787 livery. I got to fly on it within a couple of days of its introduction into service (this is my hasty-ass photo of it because I was running REALLY late), and it is gorgeous.

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Patient-Frosting6620@reddit (OP)

Ahh man controversial take, I think Chester on there would’ve been cooler.

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Affectionate_Fly1918@reddit

I like this one so much, I use it as an avatar in several forums.

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Informed4@reddit

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superdookietoiletexp@reddit

Nalanji Dreaming (which appeared on a 747-300) was arguably as nice as Wunala Dreaming. A full accounting of QF’s special schemes are here: https://www.qantas.com/en-au/onboard/fleet/flying-art

It’s a shame that these two aircraft were not preserved in a museum somewhere.

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dUty3@reddit

Love the broccoli A220!

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samosamancer@reddit

Thank you for sharing! I love these!

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Patient-Frosting6620@reddit (OP)

It’s a bum they don’t bring it back

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Horatio-Leafblower@reddit

I spoke to a senior Qantas executive who said it weighed soo much, that is why it was mostly kept in USA for short haul maximum exposure work.

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Great_Specialist_267@reddit

The paint on Wunala Dreaming added a half ton to the standard weight of the aircraft and significantly increased drag because it was so thick and bumpy. It was completely repainted (quietly) in 1995 in the U.S. to reduce the drag.

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Whowhywearwhat@reddit

Love these, mine are VH ZND (787) Yam Dreaming, followed closely by Minyma Kutjara Tjukurpa, VH X4A (A220). Very close to my heart these.

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Jackalopes_Exist@reddit

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Greedy_Dark_2437@reddit

Unfortunately never got to see it in person, which I regret everyday but this has to be top 5 best liveries AOT.

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SeparateRegular4632@reddit

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GuyfromKK@reddit

Malaysia Airlines 9M-MPB Hibiscus livery

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ohitsmark@reddit

Any that I can see and take a photo of.

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Justan0therthrow4way@reddit

My favourites would be the art series Qantas has done. That 747 has a special place in my heart. I’m hoping they’ll do another one for their A350s

I also love a retro livery. It upset me immensely when BA did the BOAC livery and then was forced to retire their 747s in 2020/2021. I hate to think how much that would have cost.

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leedogger@reddit

WestJet Disney

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Less-Dinner7205@reddit

for the 2014 wc, germany were champs…

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miRRacolix@reddit

Brussels Airlines Red Devils

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proflight27@reddit

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abbottstightbussy@reddit

I’ve never seen that one before. That is mint.

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proflight27@reddit

Also:

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theaviationhistorian@reddit

ANA Peanuts because Snoopy & Woodstock

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Carolina__034j@reddit

Lufthansa 100-year anniversary! It flew over my house last week.

I also like Aeromexico's Quetzalcóatl: https://www.jetphotos.com/photo/12042197

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ralphishere3@reddit

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Left-Associate3911@reddit

I’m sorry. I know it’s heritage and all that, and kudos for honouring it. But that doesn’t look right to my eyes. Sorry.

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samosamancer@reddit

Do you mean the visual composition, the art style, etc.? It is a very bright color palette. I’m a designer and usually prefer more visually streamlined looks, so I get it.

But the fact that this isn’t like that is indeed part of its charm, and part of the overall point of the design to begin with. It isn’t corporatized or cleaned up in Adobe Illustrator. It’s real and organic, and has existed for thousands of years longer than any of these airlines have. And the colors themselves are chosen with intention to mean specific things.

It can be hard to let go of aesthetic proclivities and preconceptions. But it’s important to stay open minded and accept many different types of beauty and visual communication, especially those rooted in different cultures.

✌🏽

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Patient-Frosting6620@reddit (OP)

Do you think it’s culture appropriation?

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Left-Associate3911@reddit

It reminds of the global tails when BA did it. It just doesn’t sit right. But if the native peoples of AUS feel this is OK, I will respect their view on it.

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Whowhywearwhat@reddit

These liveries tell stories as old as time. They have been done with respect and permission, so no appropriation. I can't speak for every Indigenous Aussie, but these are a great way for non Indigenous people to see a little of our history, art and culture, I get that it looks a bit tokenistic but anything corporate feels that way unfortunately.

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samosamancer@reddit

The fact that Indigenous artists created these liveries is huge. I’ve lived in Seattle for several years and love the prevalence of art representing the area’s tribal communities.

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bangtansalt@reddit

whyy

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Von_Rootin_Tootin@reddit

Can’t beat Icelandair’s Hekla Aurora

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samosamancer@reddit

I just wish the engine cowlings weren’t bright yellow. I know that’s a branding element, but it just looks awkward.

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selfhostcusimbored@reddit

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samosamancer@reddit

Great livery for a crappy movie that I pretend doesn’t exist, lol.

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mmbatt@reddit

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selfhostcusimbored@reddit

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Tivapularz@reddit

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MinisculeMax@reddit

I like the retro liveries

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Cool-Salamander-7645@reddit

Someone is on the tools in BNE.

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Jlx_27@reddit

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brazzers-official@reddit

You already have the right answer

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mak14@reddit

FJI B744 - Air Pacific now known as Fiji Airways - Island in the Sky 👌🏾

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lucathecontemplator@reddit

Probably the one you chose but this one is pretty cool too

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Twitter_2006@reddit

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lucathecontemplator@reddit

She was parked safe at my airport recently

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Zoinggo@reddit

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Marl__n7@reddit

A lot of good choices, the Qantas ones in particular, but

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6RwJLaPdyyM

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wilsonianuk@reddit

In 2000 I flew from the UK to the US in the peter max 777 - that was pretty special.

https://www.jetphotos.com/photo/10539819

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RumSwizzle508@reddit

Cape Air might get the award for the smallest special livery with a few of their Cessan 402s. Personally, I think the following are great:

Key West Express - It has a pirate on it and shark teeth!

Pride - Cape Air serves Provincetown, on the tip of the Cape, which is one of the most important gay vacation destinations in the country. I think this great way to show their love and support for a place and community that supports them.

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PissedOffDog@reddit

originally stood for Queensland And Northern Territory Aerial Services

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Cool-Bed-8768@reddit

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AdFun240@reddit

honestly? that one. holy crap that is good looking.

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MattTheMechan1c@reddit

The spirit of HK Cathay 747.

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MattTheMechan1c@reddit

Also the JAL Disney 747s. I believe there’s 4-5 variations

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SauceBabey@reddit

Lots of favorites but gotta share one of my least favorite special liveries. I like the sentiment behind it and it is kinda cool in its own weird way but it really looks like some designer remembered this project was due 30 minutes before the deadline

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TabsAZ@reddit

UA’s Friend-ship A320

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kelsobjammin@reddit

I got a terrible pic of this guy at Redmond, Oregon!

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kelsobjammin@reddit

I thought you would enjoy but it caught my eye so much I had to try!

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mcmillanuk@reddit

Pepsi…

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TheLastUpdate_86@reddit

The french kind? ;)

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mcmillanuk@reddit

That’s the one!

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TheManWithTheEsky@reddit

The original Qantas Wunala Dreaming OJB with painted nacelles….

Hail Wunala!

Wunala

She does not merely fly— she arrives, a story painted in fire and earth, gliding through cloud like a whispered Dreaming.

Her skin holds ancient songs, ochre red, sunburnt sky, lines that speak of paths walked long before runways were carved from dust.

Engines hum—not just of steel, but of memory— a deep, steady chant echoing country beneath her wings.

Across oceans she carries more than passengers: she carries a continent’s heartbeat, a sky full of ancestors watching her trace their stories in vapour trails.

And when she descends— touching land with quiet reverence— it feels less like landing, more like returning.

Wunala— not just a plane, but a journey that remembers where it began.

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Patient-Frosting6620@reddit (OP)

Pretty sick

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TheBackupQB@reddit

Icelandair Hekla Aurora is a beauty.