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This may just be one of the prettiest aircraft paint jobs I’ve ever seen.
On Wednesday, Alaska Airlines unveiled its first Boeing 787 Dreamliner featuring the carrier’s new global livery. And it looks just as striking in person as it did in early renderings.
Related: Alaska makes massive Boeing bet with blockbuster 110-plane order
Alaska’s new global livery
The design draws inspiration from the Northern Lights, with rich blues and greens that feel both modern and distinctly Alaska. I’m especially impressed by the tailfin, where the colors really come alive, offering a sharp contrast to the forward fuselage, which carries Alaska’s classic blue-and-white logo.
The sweeping lines along the fuselage are meant to symbolize Alaska’s forthcoming international expansion — more on that below.
All of Alaska’s new Boeing 787 Dreamliners will be delivered in this livery. Meanwhile, the jets currently painted in Hawaiian Airlines colors will eventually receive the new design during their next major retrofit.
That said, the new livery won’t appear everywhere. Alaska has no plans to repaint its Airbus A330 fleet, which it acquired as part of the Hawaiian Airlines merger and will be primarily based in Honolulu.
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Nor will the design make its way onto the airline’s single-aisle fleet.
Alaska’s Boeing 737s will continue to feature Chester — the iconic Inuit man — on their tails.
Meanwhile, aircraft operating to, from, or within the Hawaiian Islands will retain the Hawaiian Airlines brand, complete with Pualani on the tail.
Alaska’s global expansion
Alaska debuted the new look during an event at Boeing’s Seattle delivery center. The unveiling was attended by Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, along with executives from both Alaska and Boeing. The event also celebrated Alaska’s blockbuster order of 105 new Boeing 737 MAX 10 jets and five Boeing 787-10 Dreamliners.
Looking ahead, Alaska plans to deploy the Dreamliner fleet from its Seattle hub to new long-haul destinations around the world. That transatlantic expansion begins with the airline’s first-ever European service to Rome on April 28, followed by flights to London on May 21 and Reykjavik on May 28.
The first Alaska-painted Dreamliner, registered N784HA, is set to make its inaugural flight to Seoul on Thursday.
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So will all planes traveling to LHR, FCO etc. have this new livery? Or will some with the HA tail show up?
Eventually, yes. Assuming they’re operated by 787s. The A330s will retain the Hawaiian livery.
Classic black and white logo? Do you mean blue and white?
Yep, thanks!