Belgium seems to be the spawning ground of creativity, that is if Brussels Airlines has anything to do with it. The airline has announced the selection of their fifth special livery aircraft, this time from members of the public who were invited to design their latest aircraft livery.
The winning design by Italian student Marta Mascellani features none other than Belgian iconic cartoon The Smurfs. Marta’s Smurfs design received the most number of votes, ahead of the other design in the running: Art Nouveau by Victor Horta.
The design will soon come to life on an Brussels Airlines Airbus A320, which will start flying around Europe (and even beyond) as from March 2018. Marta will follow the process of creating the plane behind the scenes, and will be on the first row at the revealing event as well as on the plane’s maiden voyage.
“Drawing is my big passion so when I heard of the contest I thought it was a great challenge I wanted to take. I’ve always loved Peyo’s creations. I like the Smurfs cartoon and the films. I thought it was also the best occasion to draw them because it’s the 60th anniversary in 2018. I love the fact that Brussels Airlines is the only airline to promote its country and culture in such a way, painting new special livery planes every year. My brother is a pilot for Brussels Airlines, so I feel connected to the company,” said Marta Mascellani, winner of the 5th Belgian Icon contest.
The airline continues to celebrate its cultural roots, a now established trend in airlines winning over the hearts of their core market. Brussels Airlines has even gone as far to name this pride as ‘belgitude’.
Tintin, Magritte, the Belgian Red Devils and Tomorrowland each fly proudly on an Airbus A320 as Belgian Icons.
On board, Brussels Airlines continues to immerse its passengers in Belgian culture: from chocolates and beers, menus made by Belgian Star Chefs and cabin crew uniforms designed by Belgian designers.
TheDesignAir 