Brussels Airlines has today unveiled their latest Belgian Icon Livery, ‘Atomium’, which is dedicated to the renowned landmark. Designed by Architect, Thomas Faes, the Airbus A320, registration OO-SNM, will embark on its first flight to Prague tomorrow.
On Wednesday (March 26, 2025), Brussels Airlines unveiled their latest Belgian Icon livery, Atomium, dedicated to Brussels’ most famous landmark. The aircraft was revealed at a special event held at Brussels Airlines’ Maintenance & Engineering today, attended by media, guests and company team members. Following a contest launched in August 2024, the winning design by Architect Thomas Faes was selected. The Atomium celebrates the nation’s spirit of creativity, innovation, and pride. The Airbus A320, registration OO-SNM, will make its debut passenger revenue flight tomorrow (March 27th) with service to Prague.
In Wednesday’s announcement, Atomium’s Designer, Thomas Faes, said,
“There 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.”
Also commenting on the debut of the latest Belgian Icon livery design, Brussels Airlines’ CEO, Dorothea von Boxberg, said,
“Though the final decision wasn’t easy, looking back, choosing Thomas Faes’ design is the perfect fit. The Atomium has long been woven into our identity, from the nine red dots in our logo or on our aircraft’s tails to the lining of the blazers or the scarves in our uniforms. I am very happy to see our newest member of the Belgian Icon’s family joining our fleet for the coming five years.”
The Atomium’s General Director, Julie Almau Gonzalez, added,
“This collaboration between the Atomium and Brussels Airlines represents a perfect union of two Belgian icons that have long served as ambassadors for our country’s innovation and creativity. Just as the Atomium has welcomed visitors from around the world since 1958, Brussels Airlines connects Belgium to global destinations daily. Seeing our beloved monument soaring through the skies is not only a stunning visual tribute but also a powerful symbol of our shared mission to showcase the best of Belgium internationally. We are incredibly proud to see the Atomium take flight and bring a piece of Belgium to every corner of the world Brussels Airlines reaches.”
To transform Thomas Faes’ (Faes Architecture) concept into reality, the Brussels Airlines marketing team refined his design to meet all technical specifications. The painting process required over 400 liters of paint and took about 2,400 hours to complete. Renowned XXL airbrush artist André Eisele, who has worked on all eight previous Belgian Icons, once again created a stunning masterpiece. OO-SNM also features a remarkable interior, guiding passengers through the Atomium’s history, with original sketches and historical photos of its 1958 construction, to present day imagery.
Source: Belgian Airlines