Brussels Airlines unveils its newest Belgian Icon

Tintin discovers new horizons, this time in space

February 12, 2026

© Brussels Airlines / Hergé / Tintinimaginatio 2026

Brussels, February 12, 2026 - Brussels Airlines proudly presents its latest Belgian Icon, a tribute to one of Belgium’s most internationally cherished creations: Tintin. The airline revealed its freshly painted aircraft (A320 – OO‑SNJ), inspired by Hergé’s universe and the famous adventures on the Moon and in space. It is the second Tintin‑themed aircraft in the Belgian Icons collection. The aircraft’s inaugural commercial flight is scheduled for February 13 to Milan Linate.

The new design was developed in close collaboration with Tintinimaginatio, who explored several creative directions. The Moon and space theme quickly emerged as the strongest choice as it is instantly recognizable, emotionally powerful, and visually striking. Its connection to aviation through flight, altitude, and exploration made it a natural fit, while its clean aesthetic ensured a refined and balanced livery. The final concept features Tintin’s characters in weightlessness, creating a light and dynamic visual effect across the fuselage.

“After the incredible success of the first Tintin plane - Rackham - Brussels Airlines decided to continue with the adventure. And we accepted their proposition without any hesitation. We actually see this as the first step towards celebrating the 100^th Anniversary of TINTIN on the 10^th January 2029.”
- Nick Rodwell, CEO, Tintinimaginatio

“Comic art is an essential part of Belgium’s cultural identity, and Hergé’s work continues to inspire people around the world. It is no coincidence that ‘Rackham’ was our very first Belgian Icon. With this new aircraft, we deepen that legacy and strengthen our mission to showcase Belgian creativity around the world. We are proud to bring another iconic piece of Belgian culture into the skies and to offer our passengers a unique experience.
- Dorothea von Boxberg, CEO, Brussels Airlines

A tribute to Hergé’s universe
The two sides of the aircraft are different, which makes it possible to feature several characters (Tintin and the Moon on one side, Snowy and Captain Haddock on the other) without overloading the visual design of the livery. The cherry under the cake is the moon-rocket on the belly of the aircraft, which will take off, fly, and land “for real”. The background of the livery is a gradient going from midnight blue to black.

Inside the cabin, the Belgian Icon experience continues, where the lunar atmosphere is extended through various design elements. The overhead compartments tell a story with a sequence of visuals following one another like comic-book panels: the rocket taking off from Earth, the risk of encountering an asteroid… All of it framed by Hergé’s handwritten quote: « A force de croire en ses rêves, l’Homme en fait une réalité » (“By believing in his dreams long enough, Man turns them into reality”¹).
Passengers will also encounter Snowy and Tintin again as well as Thomson and Thompson on the bulkheads and the digitally printed floor carpet by Lantal Textiles is a subtle reference to outer space.

The painting of the aircraft was carried out entirely by Airbourne Colors, a long‑standing and trusted partner of Brussels Airlines.

The aircraft’s inaugural commercial flight is scheduled for February 13, departing Brussels Airport for Milan Linate at 10:25am.

About the Belgian Icons
As with every Belgian Icon, the new aircraft embodies the airline’s ambition to bring a little piece of Belgium in the air and sharing the best of the country with the world.

Brussels Airlines introduced its very first Belgian Icon, Rackham (OO‑SNB), in 2015. More than a decade later, Rackham remains one of the most photographed aircraft in the world and will continue flying in the airline’s fleet until 2027.
With OO‑SNJ, Brussels Airlines expands its homage to Tintin, adding a second aircraft celebrating the timeless universe created by Hergé.

In November 2022, the new version of Trident - the aircraft dedicated to the Belgian Red Devils and Red Flames, the Belgian male and female national football teams - was presented. In April 2024, the second edition of Amare was revealed, which is a collaboration with the world-famous music festival Tomorrowland. Atomium, the fourth Belgian Icon, was unveiled in March 2025.

Previous Belgian Icons include:

Magritte, part of the fleet between 2016 and 2021, paying homage to René Magritte, the Belgian surrealistic painter.
Aerosmurf, which smurfed the fleet between 2018 and 2023, created following a design contest organized by Brussels Airlines.
Bruegel, celebrating Flemish painter Pieter Bruegel the Elder, which traveled the world between 2019 and 2023.

_{1 On the occasion of the first human step on the Moon in 1969, Hergé created a drawing for the director of the Dechy advertising agency. The illustration shows Tintin, Snowy, Professor Calculus, and Captain Haddock welcoming Neil Armstrong on the lunar surface. The drawing was accompanied by the handwritten phrase,}_{« A force de croire en ses rêves, l’Homme en fait une réalité » (“By believing in his dreams long enough, man turns them into reality”),}_{signed by Hergé.}