Brussels Airlines calls on all Belgians to create its 5th Belgian Icon

Following the immense popularity of Rackham, Magritte, Trident and Amare, Brussels Airlines goes in search of a fifth Belgian icon to dedicate another one of its aircraft to. Who better to decide than the customers who will fly the four corners of Europe on board of the iconic plane as from next year? That’s why the airline launches a competition to let enthusiasts determine the next Belgian icon to take center stage on their Airbus A320.

As a proud ambassador of Belgium, Brussels Airlines continues its series of special design aircraft, which fly people to the home of famous Belgian characters and events. In 2015, Brussels Airlines presented a first special livery with Rackham, an Airbus A320 painted like the famous shark submarine from the Tintin album “Red Rackham’s Treasure”. Rackham soon became one of the most photographed planes in Europe. One year later, two new Belgian Icons joined Brussels Airlines’ fleet: Magritte, dedicated to the world-renowned surrealist painter René Magritte and Trident, the official plane of the Belgian Red Devils, Belgium’s national football team. This year, the airline presented another Belgian icon: Amare, dedicated to the music festival Tomorrowland, for which the airline flies 10,000 partygoers to Belgium every year.

Brussels Airlines now turns to its customers and fans to ask what they would like to see on the next plane, an idea that sets Belgium apart. Everyone with a heart for Belgium, designer or enthusiast, can send in their written idea or even a plane design. A jury of famous Belgians, including Tomorrowland founders Manu and Michiel Beers, Olympic Gold winner Olivia Borlée, CEO and artistic director of BOZAR Paul Dujardin, CEO of Pairi Daiza Eric Domb, producer and musician Netsky, and Belgian Star Chef Yves Mattagne, will create a shortlist of the two best ideas. The final decision is again taken by the fans. They get to vote for the final winning idea. Next to eternal fame, the winner gets to follow the entire design process and the painting of the Belgian Icon behind the scenes, he or she will be at the front row during the big reveal event of the plane and will fly on its maiden voyage. The plane will be presented to the public in March 2018.

“Our Belgian Icons are very well known and are a great tool for people around the world to get to know Belgium. We are a country with many well kept secrets. Everyone knows us for our great beers and chocolate, but most people don’t know that Belgium is also the home of many cartoons, that Belgians invented French Belgian fries, the cassette tape, roller skates and the saxophone. With our Belgian Icons, we aim to put our country on the map, and this time we want our customers to have a say. We hope to get many great ideas for our next Belgian Icon and who knows, we might have to keep some for the 6^th one.”

-- Bernard Gustin, Brussels Airlines CEO

Ideas and designs for Brussels Airlines’ Belgian Icon contest can be submitted until 31 August at midnight via brusselsairlines.com. The winner will be selected in September. May the best idea win!