Brussels Airlines proudly presents its newest Belgian figure, in tribute to one of the most beloved Belgian creations in the world: Tintin. The airline unveiled its new plane in colors inspired by the universe of Hergé – the Belgian comic artist and illustrator who created "The Adventures of Tintin," including the space and moon adventures. This is the second plane in the Tintin-themed series, called "Belgian Icons."
Celebrating 100 Years of Tintin on January 10, 2029
The new design was developed in close collaboration with Tintinimaginatio, which manages the Tintin brand and explored various creative directions. The moon and space theme was immediately recognized as the strongest choice, due to its recognizability, emotional power, and striking visual effect. Its connection to aviation through flights, altitude, and space exploration made it a natural choice, while the clean aesthetic of the design ensured neat and balanced painting. The final concept presents Tintin characters in a weightless state, creating a light and dynamic visual effect along the plane's body.
“After the great success of the first Tintin-designed plane – named Rackham – Brussels Airlines decided to continue the adventure. We accepted their proposal without hesitation. We see this as the first step toward celebrating 100 years of Tintin on January 10, 2029,” said Nick Rodwell, CEO of Tintinimaginatio.
“Comic art is an essential part of Belgium’s cultural identity, and Hergé’s works continue to inspire worldwide. It is no coincidence that the 'Rackham' plane was our first Belgian plane. With this new plane, we deepen the heritage and our mission to showcase Belgian creativity around the world. We are proud to bring another iconic piece of Belgian culture to the skies and offer our passengers a unique flying experience,” said Dorothea von Boxberg, CEO of Brussels Airlines.
Tribute to Hergé’s Universe
The two sides of the plane are different, allowing multiple characters (Tintin and the moon on one side, Snowy and Captain Haddock on the other) to be displayed without overloading the plane’s visual design. The most special feature is the moon rocket on the belly of the plane, which will “truly” take off, fly, and land. The background paint transitions from dark blue to black.
Inside the plane, the Belgian icon experience continues, with a lunar atmosphere created through various design elements. The overhead storage compartments tell a story with a sequence of images following one another like comic panels: The rocket taking off from Earth, the risk of colliding with an asteroid… all accompanied by Hergé’s handwritten quote: "A force de croire en ses rêves, l'Homme en fait une réalité" ("By believing in his dreams, Man turns them into reality").
Passengers will once again encounter Snowy and Tintin – both featured on the interior walls and the printed carpet by Lantal Textiles, subtly hinting at outer space.
The plane’s painting was executed exclusively by Airbourne Colors, a long-time partner of Brussels Airlines.
Brussels Airlines is Belgium’s national airline and part of the Lufthansa Group network. It connects Europe’s capital from Brussels Airport to more than 90 destinations, 17 of them in sub-Saharan Africa. The airline employs over 3,500 staff and operates 46 aircraft.