Over the years and more so lately as I’ve been traveling internationally I’ve been taking pictures of some not-so-plain airplanes. The paint jobs that some airplanes get can be quite entertaining and complex. I’ve also asked friends to send me some of the most interesting planes they’ve photographed and I finally have enough for a not so plain post!
Here are some of my favorite planes:
This plane was my ride from Bangkok, Thailand to Phuket, Thailand. Every plane in Bangkok Airways fleet is decorated with a sea life theme. They’re quite colorful.
Bangkok Airways, Phuket, Thailand
I had to do a bit of research on this one. A very pretty plane, I learned that the theme was painted in honor of the 2008 Olympics and sponsor “Bosco Sports.” They look like paisley’s to me, but I couldn’t find any confirmation of that. This plane was spotted in Hong Kong.
Aeroflot Russian Airline, Hong Kong
This is one of my favorite planes. You might think that’s odd, but I’ll tell you why in a minute. US Airways has several planes painted w/the logos of sports teams in their hub cities. I don’t usually see this one in Charlotte. Why do I love this one so much? Because at least 1 person without fail will say “Oh, the Arizona Cardinals team plane just landed.” You can replace Arizona Cardinals with whichever team theme plane has just been spotted. Having worked in the NHL for so many years, every time I hear this I chuckle.
US Airways, Charlotte, North Carolina
ANA, All Nippon Airways, may have one of the most unique fleets! From Pokemon themed planes (spotted in Hong Kong & Bangkok) to the Panda Plane, also spotted in Bangkok, their planes are unique when they paint them. One of my friends also sent me the ANA plane supposedly painted with the toilet seat under the cockpit window. I tried to track down the authenticity of this plane, but was unable to find anything on ANA’s website or any other “official” websites. It might be photo-shopped, but it’s funny anyway.
Obviously pre-merger, this is a throw-back airplane designed by artist Peter Max.
Continental Airlines Airplane, Texas
Many of us have seen the Southwest Airlines Shamu airplane painted to look like the Killer Whale who calls SeaWorld home
Southwest, Tampa FL
Sent by a friend from down under, this Qantas Jet had a very pretty paint job and was spotted in Melbourne, Australia.
Qantas Airlines, Melbourne Australia
This Santa Clause FinnAir plane was spotted by a friend in Helsinki, Finland. Apparently there are several Santa planes – one with Santa splattered on the nose of the plane? That seems a bit odd, but that’s what I’ve been told.
FinnAir, Helsinki Finland
By now, if you read my blog, you know how I feel about Hello Kitty planes! I’ve spotted them now in Hong Kong, Seoul and rode on one from Taipei, Taiwan.
Eva Air plane, Hong Kong
Have you spotted any fun planes? If you have, let us know, we’ll have a very cool plane spotting spot on First2Board very soon!
One of my favorites has always been the Alaska Airlines Salmon-Thirty-Salmon. You can check it out here:
http://www.airlinereporter.com/2012/10/airline-livery-of-the-week-alaska-airlines-salmon-thirty-salmon-ii/
My all-time favorite was the Aloha Airlines funbird. I’ve also spotted the Qantas plane @ LAX quite a few times, Salmon-Thirty-Salmon @ OGG and SEA, and I actually flew on the Cardinals plane from SJD to PHX