The 22nd FIFA World Cup kicked off on Sunday in Qatar. To celebrate the occasion and show national pride, several airlines, partnered up with their national football teams, have introduced special liveries for the quadrennial event. Simple Flying takes a look at some of the most eye-catching special liveries for this year's event.
Brazil
Brazilian carrier GOL Linhas Aéreas revealed a special livery painted on one of its Boeing 737-800 aircraft in Belo Horizonte International Airport (CNF) last Wednesday. GOL is currently the official carrier of Brazil's Football Confederation (in the past, other carriers such as Varig and TAM held that honor). The aircraft is GOL's third jetliner with a football-related livery.
On the tail, GOL's aircraft has the logo of the Brazilian football confederation and a phrase that says "GOL do Brasil" (Brazil's Goal). On the back section of the fuselage, we can see the name Brasil and, on top of each letter, the airline painted a jersey with a number signaling the year this country won each of its world championships. Brazil won FIFA World Cup five times in 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, and 2002. Brazil is in Group G with Serbia, Switzerland, and Cameroon.
Argentina
Argentina's national flag carrier, Aerolíneas Argentinas, revealed its FIFA World Cup livery on one of its Airbus A330-200 in early October. The plane has painted on the side, “Un equipo, un país, un sueño” (one team, one country, one dream). On its tail, the Airbus A330 has images of three members of the Argentinian football team, including megastar and all-time goalscorer of the Albiceleste, Lionel Messi.
The Argentine Football Association (AFA) also partnered with the Dubai-based airline flydubai and unveiled a special livery on two of its latest Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft. The new design features members of the Argentine national football team, including Angel Di Maria, Julian Alvarez, Lautaro Martinez, Leandro Paredes, Lionel Messi, and Rodrigo De Paul. Flydubai operated a special flight, FZ 4001, carrying the Argentina national football team from Al Bateen Airport (AZI) to Hamad International Airport (DOH) in Doha last Thursday.
Argentina is in Group C with Mexico, Poland, and Saudi Arabia.
Germany
Germany's national flag carrier Lufthansa unveiled its World Cup special livery on one of its Airbus A330-300, and the livery sends a clear message in support of diversity and equality wherever it flies. Lufthansa flew the German national team to its training ground in Oman on November 14th. Germany is in Group E with Spain, Japan, and Costa Rica.
South Korea
Asiana Airlines has added a special "Fly! Korea" livery to its two aircraft, an Airbus A350 and an Airbus A321. Large portraits of South Korean football stars such as Son Heung-min, Hwang Hee-chan, and Hwang Eui-ju stand out in the livery. The aircraft will operate for three months from December on routes to Europe and the Americas. South Korea is in Group H with Portugal, Uruguay, and Ghana.
Qatar
Being the official partner and airline of FIFA, Qatar Airways unveiled a specially-branded Boeing 777 aircraft painted in FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 livery as early as November 2020. Qatar is in Group A with Netherlands, Ecuador, and Senegal.
Morocco
Morocco's national flag carrier Royal Air Maroc put a stylized lion's head in its special livery on its Boeing 787 as a symbol of Morocco's national football team, the Atlas Lions. Morocco is in Group F with Belgium, Canada, and Croatia.
Belgium
Brussels Airlines, Belgium's national flag carrier, released its latest Trident special livery last week.
Tunisia
Tunisia's national flag carrier, Tunisair, introduced a special livery on its Airbus A320 for the Carthage Eagles that will compete in the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Which World Cup livery impressed you the most (or any other special livery we missed)? Let us know in the comments.