Brussels Airlines has unveiled what it calls “the most complex plane livery in the world,” inspired by the work of Flemish master Pieter Bruegel the Elder. The project was developed with support from VISITFLANDERS and the BOZAR Centre for Fine Arts, which provided curatorial advice. Brussels Airlines commissioned Belgian artists Jos de Gruyter and Harald Thys to hand-paint the aircraft, creating a striking homage to Belgium’s artistic heritage.
The livery adorns an Airbus A320 and presents two distinct designs, one on each side of the fuselage. Painted by hand over 19 days, the artwork portrays the Belgian landscape and captures details influenced by Bruegel’s style, translating centuries-old motifs into a contemporary aviation canvas.
“Brussels Airlines continues to be an ambassador for Belgium. This sixth iconic aircraft showcases the rich art history of Belgium and we are extremely proud of the beautiful flying piece of art we were able to create together with the support of VISITFLANDERS and with the artistic expertise of BOZAR. The Hi Belgium Pass, which is a big success since we launched it in 2017, builds further on this ambassadorship and continues to attract many tourists to our beautiful country, now also with a Flemish Masters experience,” said Christina Foerster, CEO of Brussels Airlines.
The Hi Belgium Pass enables travelers to fly from 48 European cities to Brussels, use unlimited train travel within Belgium, and gain free admission to cultural attractions, including exhibitions featuring Flemish Masters. On arrival at Brussels Airport, international visitors are also welcomed by a new art installation created by VISITFLANDERS.
That installation is a state-of-the-art animation that brings figures from Bruegel’s paintings to life as part of a long-term airport experience. “In three years’ time, 75 million travelers will be captivated by our Flemish Masters and by our other tourist assets such as our gastronomy and cycling,” said Peter De Wilde, CEO of VISITFLANDERS. “In addition, one million passengers will travel from or to Brussels Airport in the next five years on board…a flying Flemish Master. That is another million people who become ambassadors of our Flemish Masters and, by extension, of our tourist destination. Add to that the millions of people who will see or share images of this beautiful plane via social media.”
The project highlights a collaboration between aviation, tourism and the arts to promote Belgium’s cultural legacy. By combining a visually ambitious aircraft livery with on-the-ground experiences at the airport and through the Hi Belgium Pass, the initiative aims to attract visitors and raise international awareness of Belgian art, food and cycling routes. The hand-painted A320 serves not only as a mobile work of art but also as a moving ambassador for Belgium’s creative and cultural industries.