It has been the month of special liveries in the Lufthansa Group universe. Earlier this month SWISS revealed its latest special livery to celebrate the arrival of the airline's very first Airbus A350-900. Now, it's the Belgian carrier Brussels Airlines' turn to reveal its latest special livery.
Atomium – Celebrating Another Belgian Icon on Brussels Airlines Livery
Atomium is the name of the new Brussels Airlines special livery, getting its name from the Belgian monument it celebrates. The special livery is part of the Belgian Icon series of aircraft special liveries which has been ongoing since 2016.
As in prior occasions the new Belgian Icon special livery came into existence after a contest launched in 2024 inviting Belgians and residents to submit designs capturing the essence of the country.
The final choice was made to paint a 22-year-old A320-200 (registration OO-SNM) with the design presented by Belgian architect Thomas Faes, depicting the iconic Atomium which stands in the Heysel Park in downtown Brussels.
here are many parallels between an architectural project and the design of an aircraft livery. Both involve a series of stages to complete and constraints to consider. What stands out most to me of these last months, is the human journey behind it all. However, I will also always remember the first 3D simulation – that moment when you can truly say that it has the desired impact. Equally unforgettable is seeing the aircraft in real life, experiencing that magical transition from concept to reality. I am incredibly proud of the result, which blends elegance with modernity.
Thomas Faes, designer of the Belgian Icon “Atomium”
A Complex Paint Job and Unique Interior Finishings
Just by looking at the aircraft it is clear how this was no simple task for the artist commissioned to apply the artwork to the aircraft's skin. As for prior versions of the Belgian Icon special liveries Brussels Airlines conferred renowned XXL airbrush artist André Eisele with the honor and duty to complete the job.
Applying the new Brussels Airlines special livery to OO-SNM Airbus A320-200 took a total of 2,400 hours and a mind-boggling 400 liters of paint.
The airline really went all-in in terms of decorating this aircraft. It didn't just paint the outside but also made just as special and unique on the inside with finishing and decorations that recall the Atomium shapes and theme in the cabin interiors too.
The carpets and the overhead lockers are all decorated following the Atomium theme. Work on the aircraft has finally been completed with it returning to service today, March 27 2025, on a flight from Brussels to Prague at 9:25am.
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