Brussels Airlines has added a striking new aircraft to its fleet, with the latest ‘Belgian Icon’ set to take off on its first commercial flight to Prague (Czechia) on Thursday morning.
The new design, which pays tribute to Belgium’s renowned Atomium monument, was officially revealed at an event in Brussels on Wednesday.
This initiative is part of Brussels Airlines’ ongoing campaign to honour Belgian heritage through aviation. The airline has, for the past decade, introduced a series of uniquely themed aircraft celebrating national icons.
“Seeing our beloved monument soaring through the skies is not only a stunning visual tribute but also a powerful symbol of our shared mission to showcase the best of Belgium internationally,” said Julie Almau Gonzalez, General Director of the Atomium.
A Winning Design
The aircraft’s bold new livery was designed by Belgian architect Thomas Faes, whose concept was selected from over 900 submissions in a public contest launched last August.
“There are many parallels between an architectural project and the design of an aircraft livery,” Faes noted. “I am incredibly proud of the result, which blends elegance with modernity.”
A jury composed of well-known Belgian figures, including musicians Alex Callier and Sandra Kim, artist Philippe Geluck, and designer Gabrielle, chose the final design.
Months of Preparation and 400 Litres of Paint
Bringing Faes’ vision to life required meticulous planning and months of technical adjustments to ensure the artwork met aviation standards. “I will always remember the first 3D simulation,” Faes recalled. “Equally unforgettable is seeing the aircraft in real life.”
Renowned airbrush artist André Eisele played a key role in executing the design, which required approximately 2,400 hours of painting and over 400 litres of paint.
The Atomium theme extends beyond the aircraft’s exterior—its interior also features original sketches, historical photographs, and themed carpets and seats that pay homage to the landmark’s rich history since its construction in 1958.
A Growing Legacy of Belgian Icons
Since 2015, Brussels Airlines has periodically introduced aircraft dedicated to various symbols of Belgian culture. With the addition of the Atomium aircraft, the current fleet of operational ‘Belgian Icons’ now includes four planes:
- Rackham, the Tintin-themed aircraft,
- Trident, dedicated to Belgium’s national football teams,
- Amare, a tribute to the Tomorrowland music festival,
- and now, the Atomium-inspired plane.
Retired icons include Magritte (2016), which honoured surrealist painter René Magritte, Aerosmurf, based on Belgium’s famous Smurfs, and a plane dedicated to Flemish painter Pieter Bruegel the Elder.
The airline explained that the decision to retire these aircraft was influenced by factors such as aircraft age, lease agreements, and the relevance of their themes.
Five Years of Flying Tribute
Brussels Airlines confirmed that the new Atomium-themed aircraft will remain in service for the next five years.
Its inaugural flight is scheduled to depart from Brussels at 09:00 on Thursday, marking another milestone in the airline’s commitment to promoting Belgian culture through its fleet.
