Summary
Here in the UK the days are getting longer and the weather warmer. So thoughts naturally turn to plane spotting, and the trips we might make this summer.
With so many changes every month, there’s a whole list of new and unusual airliners to see (we feature a list of them every month on this site).
Among them are some of the special liveries that have been appearing to mark airline anniversaries, sporting events and other promotional collaborations.
So I thought I’d give you this list of what I consider to be the aircraft every spotter needs to see this summer.
You may have already seen some of them, or you may be looking forward to seeing an aircraft that’s not on this list. In either case, leave a comment and let us know!
Here’s the list:
Lufthansa 100th Anniversary Boeing 747
Boeing 747-8 D-ABYN
Of course, Lufthansa has introduced a range of special livery aircraft across its fleet to mark its 100th anniversary this year, including the Flying Crane scheme on the Airbus A320neo, A350-900, A380 and Boeing 787-9 – as well as a retro livery Airbus A321.
But for me, it’s the Boeing 747-8 that I want to see up close. There aren’t so many of these Jumbos left flying now, so seeing one in a special livery is quite something.
Qatar Airways F1 Livery
Boeing 777-300ER A7-BEG
This is a stunning scheme on one of Qatar Airways’ Boeing 777s. It is promoting the collaboration between the airline and Formula One, and I’m not sure how long it will remain in this livery. So it’s on my list to try and photograph very soon.
Cathay Pacific 80th Anniversary A350
Airbus A350-900 B-LRJ
This one has been doing the rounds for a while, but I still haven’t seen it (or the Boeing 747 freighter version). But as a kid I remember this Cathay Pacific livery at airports and I’d really like to see it again.
American Airlines Flagship 777
Boeing 777-300ER N735AT
Photo (c) Andy Egloff
Another one I haven’t managed to spot yet. This flagship scheme looks in equal parts impressive and awkward on something as big as a 777, but nevertheless I’d like to see it in person.
SAS 80th Anniversary A330
Airbus A330-300 LN-RKR
Recently unveiled to mark the airline’s 80th anniversary this year, I gather that this special scheme for SAS is quite controversial. Many love it and many hate it. Either way, it’s something different and unusual to spot.
Brussels Airlines Tintin Scheme
Airbus A320 OO-SNJ
Brussels Airlines has quite a collection of special liveries depicting Belgian culture and icons. This one, featuring cartoon hero Tintin, is no exception.
Believe it or not, it was actually painted into this scheme at my local airport, but left under cover of darkness. So I’m yet to see it.
Swiss Wanderlust A350
Airbus A350-941 HB-IFA
I’m including this one as a recommendation to other spotters, as I have actually seen it already on a recent trip to Zurich.
This first A350 for Swiss depicts cultural icons and famous locations in Switzerland and is stunning in person!
Air Niugini’s First A220
Airbus A220-300 P2-PGA
This is one that I may struggle to see as it only operates short-haul services out of Port Moresby and I’m in the UK. But you never know! This aircraft is the first in Air Niugini’s fleet overhaul A220 order and incorporates the airline’s new livery and special 50th anniversary marking.
Alaska Airlines 787
Following its recent merger with Hawaiian Airlines, Alaska Airlines has taken on the fleet of Boeing 787s and is painting them in its new livery.
The loss of the traditional Alaska Airlines livery, as well as the loss of the Hawaiian Airlines scheme, is hard. But the new livery looks smart on the 787 and I want to see it.
Alaska currently has five 787s in its fleet, with 12 more on order.
JetBlue Blueprint II
Airbus A220 N3308J
A favourite on JetBlue Airways’ former Embraer 190 fleet was the Blueprint livery.
Now lost, the airline has reintroduced it on their new Airbus A220-300 fleet. A welcome return and a stunning scheme.
What do you think? Which are you looking forward to seeing? Which have you seen already? Leave a comment below!
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