Brussels Airlines Launches Contest for New ‘Best of Belgium’ Aircraft Livery

Brussels Airlines is inviting Belgian residents and nationals over the age of 16 to participate in a unique design contest as part of its ongoing ‘Best of Belgium’ livery series. The airline is calling on the public to create the next iconic livery, celebrating Belgium’s rich cultural heritage, to be featured on one of its Airbus A320 aircraft.

Participants can download a blank aircraft template from the Brussels Airlines website and use it to create their design. Submissions are open until September 27, 2024, through a dedicated section of the airline’s website. The winning design will be unveiled in early October 2024, and the selected livery will be painted on an aircraft set to enter service in March 2025.

The ‘Best of Belgium’ campaign has been an annual tradition for several years, with the aim of highlighting and promoting Belgian cultural icons. In a press release announcing the contest, Michel Moriaux, Head of Marketing at Brussels Airlines, emphasized that the ideal design should capture the essence of Belgium’s culture, nature, or history. The airline is seeking originality and encourages participants to avoid clichés like beer or chocolate, as well as specific brand references.

The winning design will be transformed into a technical drawing with the assistance of a creative agency. In addition to seeing their artwork flying across Europe, the contest winner will receive an extraordinary prize: a Business class trip anywhere in Europe with a companion, every year for the next five years.

Currently, Brussels Airlines operates three Airbus A320 family aircraft featuring ‘Best of Belgium’ liveries. These include ‘Rackham,’ inspired by the beloved comic character Tintin; ‘Amare,’ a collaboration with the world-famous Tomorrowland music festival; and ‘Trident,’ which serves as the official plane for Belgium’s national football teams, the Red Devils and the Red Flames.

Previous ‘Best of Belgium’ liveries have celebrated various aspects of Belgian culture, from the art world with homages to 16th Century Flemish artist Pieter Bruegel the Elder and surrealist painter René Magritte, to cartoons with the ‘Aerosmurf’ aircraft, showcasing the whimsical world of the Smurfs.

This contest is a chance for Belgians to leave their mark on one of the country’s most recognizable international brands. Brussels Airlines hopes that the public’s creativity will result in a design that truly represents the diversity and richness of Belgian culture, further enhancing the ‘Best of Belgium’ series.

As Brussels Airlines prepares to add this new livery to its fleet, the contest provides a unique opportunity for creative individuals to contribute to the airline’s celebration of Belgian heritage. The winning design will not only fly across Europe but will also stand as a symbol of national pride for years to come.