Aircraft Designs

Most aircrafts are large and imposing by themselves, but there are also airline companies that go that extra step further. Here, we have listed the 10 most impressive aircraft designs for you, whereby you can find out your best chance of ending up in one of these extraordinary aircrafts!

10 Impressive Aircraft Designs

#1 Icelandair

Who says you have to travel for the Northern Lights when there is an airplane that brings the Northern Lights to you? The great thing about Icelandair's Hekla Aurora is that its Northern Lights theme is found on both the exterior and interior of the aircraft - with the cabin being illuminated with mood lighting that simulates the original Northern Lights! The name of this Icelandic pride and joy originated from a combination of a traditional Icelandic name 'Hekla', which is also the name of a famous volcano in Iceland, as well as ‘Aurora’ that refers to the world famous Northern Lights.

#2 Rossiya Russian Airlines

Talk about making an impression! If you aren’t impressed by a landing plane, how about a landing tiger? Rossiya Russian Airlines has recently designed the Tigrolet (Tigerplane) to help increase awareness of this majestic endangered species, and it certainly has been successful in attracting the attention and curiosity of many.

#3 Air New Zealand

If you are a fan of The Hobbit, then you are probably familiar with the dragon Smaug, one of the most important figures in the trilogy. Just like Lord of the Rings, all The Hobbit films were shot in the picturesque New Zealand. Therefore, It is no wonder that Air New Zealand presented this fan-favorite character design during the run-up to the second part of the trilogy, The Desolation of Smaug. Tell us, do you dare to enter the cave of the dragon?

#4 Brussels Airlines

Those who love to party are probably familiar with Tomorrowland, an electronic music festival held annually in Belgium. Those familiar with Tomorrowland may also recognize this aircraft design. Brussels Airlines has been organizing various party flights to the festival for the past 7 years. Amare, an ode to Tomorrowland, has also belonged to the Brussel Airlines’ fleet since 2017, with its name representing unity, friendship and love. Amare also acts as a symbolic representation of what Tomorrowland aims to achieve - to bring people from all over the globe to create lasting memories and friendships in Belgium. Similarly, this novel design is not only limited to the exterior as the cabin is fitted with mood lighting and has a special music system as well - talk about a party bus upgrade!

#5 Caribbean Airlines

The flag carrier of Trinidad, Caribbean Airlines proudly displays the design of a hummingbird on the exterior of the majority of its aircraft fleet. Though perhaps a little less pronounced than its predecessors in this list, Caribbean Airlines’ hummingbird design remains of symbolic significance as Trinidad is commonly referred to as “the land of the hummingbird.”

#6 Frontier Airlines

Similar to Caribbean Airlines, the United States’ Frontier Airlines has animal designs on its carrier fleet as well! From Jack the Rabbit to Hector the Sea Otter, iconic animals are featured on the tails of Frontier Airlines’ aircrafts. From the airport’s viewing hall, it almost seems as though you are watching a Planet Earth documentary!

#7 Nok Air

Most airline companies typically add novelty designs to a limited number of aircraft in their fleet. However, Nok Air has set itself apart from the rest by coming up with an exclusive design for each of its aircrafts. Plus, this Thai airline leaves no stone unturned, with its unique graphic design job covering the exterior of the whole plane from the cockpit to its tail. Thanks to the vibrant and cheerful colors used, passengers are bound to start their journey with Nok Air in a good mood!

#8 All Nippon Airways

Here’s another airline company’s ode to one of the most famous film series in the world - Star Wars. In 2015, Star Wars: The Force Awakens was released after a painstaking decade-long wait by fans from all over the world. In the same year, All Nippon Airways rolled out the first of its ‘Star Wars Jet’ aircrafts, specially designed to resemble the droids of the famed franchise. The magic doesn’t stop here - from seat headrest covers to cups and napkins, these three themed aircrafts scream Star Wars. ‘May the air be with you.’

#9 EVA Air

Some airlines choose to take that extra step, wishing to provide passengers with more than just your usual aircraft design. From their Hello Kitty themed check-in counters and boarding passes to kawaii in-flight meals, EVA Air promises its travellers an unforgettable flight. Plus, passengers are allowed to request for Hello Kitty themed souvenirs like playing cards, all for free - can this get any better?

#10 Alaska Airlines

The eskimo notably featured on the tail of the Alaska Airlines planes has been an iconic brand design since 1972. Otherwise known as ‘The Last Frontier,’ Alaska is also famous for its supply of fresh salmon, and Alaska Airlines has definitely utilized this reputation well. In 2012, the Salmon Thirty Salmon II plane was introduced to the world, displaying an enormous salmon that almost covers the entire length of the aircraft. Being one of the world’s most intricately painted commercial planes (there are even fish scales on the plane’s winglets!), this one-of-a-kind plane seeks to promote natural and sustainable Alaskan seafood.

How do I end up in one of these aircrafts, please?

We understand that you now have a burning question: how do I end up in one of these aircrafts? As a treat, we have searched for what you have to do to ensure a flight on each aircraft, and you will be amazed how easy it actually is!

  • Icelandair
    Icelandair has a page with the arrival and departure dates of the Hekla Aurora, so you can see exactly when you need to book your flight.
  • Rossiya Russian Airlines
    To fly with the Tigrolet you will require a bit of luck, but the best chance you might have is if you travel to the far East with Rossiya Russian Airlines. The Tigrolet mainly flies there.
  • Air New Zealand
    Unfortunately, those who wished to step into the cave of the dragon, prepare for disappointment - the aircraft design was mainly used for promotional purposes and was sadly repainted again in the airline’s original color scheme.
  • Brussels Airlines
    Brussels Airlines also has a page with the arrival and departure dates of the Amare where you can easily see when you need to book your flight.
  • Caribbean Airlines
    For Caribbean Airlines it is a bit easier, simply book a flight with them and you are guaranteed to be on the plane with that beautiful hummingbird!
  • Frontier Airlines
    The same applies to Frontier Airlines, as every aircraft has a different animal on its tail. All you have to do is ensure that you fly with Frontier Airlines!
  • Nok Air
    If you wish to fly with Nok Air, you will have to depart from Bangkok and then fly to one of these other destinations within Asia!
  • All Nippon Airways
    All Nippon Airways has no fixed routes for all three ‘Star Wars Jet’ aircrafts, so we advise you to keep an eye on the Star Wars page. Here, you can see by plane which destinations these ‘Jets’ will fly to.
  • EVA Air
    EVA Air makes it easy for customers, whereby this airline has dedicated a whole page to their Hello Kitty flights where you can find out which routes they fly, with a simple click.
  • Alaska Airlines
    Alaska Airlines does not seem to have a specific schedule for their Salmon Thirty Salmon II aircraft. However, as this airline mainly flies within the United States and Canada, you will at least be fishing in the right water with a regional flight there!