Airlines have long been creative about finding ways to stand out and connect with their passengers, especially during festive seasons
. One eye-catching way they do this is by giving their aircraft a makeover with themed liveries. Christmas-themed designs hold a special place among these, evoking the joy, magic, and warmth of the holiday season.

These liveries are not just a celebration of the holidays but also a powerful marketing tool, making the airlines more recognizable and creating memorable experiences for passengers.

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From planes decorated with Santa Claus and reindeer to snowy landscapes and sparkling snowflakes, these unique designs have brought holiday cheer to the skies. They’ve also delighted aviation enthusiasts and casual travelers, offering countless opportunities for photographs and social media posts that amplify their reach. For passengers, spotting a Christmas-themed aircraft at the gate can feel like magic, setting the tone for a festive journey.

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Photo: Alaska Airlines

While themed liveries are a significant investment for airlines, they symbolize creativity and holiday spirit. Over the years, numerous carriers across the globe have embraced the tradition, adorning their planes in designs that capture the essence of Christmas.

Alaska Airlines

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Alaska Airlines has consistently embraced the holiday spirit with festive liveries. The airline unveiled its latest Christmas livery in 2023, featuring a striking design with a cheerful Santa Claus on its tail. The fuselage sparkles with snowflakes and holiday-themed icons, bringing festive cheer to the skies.

Alaska Airlines often pairs its liveries with themed in-flight experiences, like holiday snacks and music, making the journey as joyful as the destination.

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Qantas

Qantas special livery

Australia’s flag carrier, Qantas, has also taken part in the tradition of Christmas-themed aircraft. According to AeroTime, Qantas introduced Christmas liveries to add a festive touch to its flights.

These designs have ranged from subtle holiday branding to elaborate artwork covering the fuselage.
Qantas has also extended the celebration beyond liveries by offering seasonal treats and themed products in its in-flight offerings, ensuring passengers enjoy a complete holiday experience.

Other airlines who have had special liveries:

Year

Airline

Description

1984

Finnair

Introduced a McDonnell Douglas DC-9 featuring Santa Claus and his sleigh, marking the start of their tradition as Santa’s official airline.

1994

British Airways

Adorned a Boeing 737 with “Happy Christmas” on one side and “Merry Christmas” on the other, featuring colorful designs inspired by children’s drawings.

1995

Ryanair

Decorated a Boeing 737-200 with a Santa hat and beard on the nose, initiating a series of festive liveries.

2014

Finnair

Painted an Airbus A321 with a special Christmas livery featuring Santa Claus, reinforcing its role as Santa’s official airline.

2015

Scandinavian Airlines (SAS)

Introduced a Boeing 737-700 in “JuleFly” livery, celebrating the holiday season.

2019

Swiss International Air Lines

Gave two Airbus aircraft red nose cones, inspired by Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, as part of their annual Christmas campaign.

2023

Qantas

Unveiled two Christmas-themed liveries on a De Havilland Dash 8 Q400 named “Dasher-8” and a Boeing 737-800 named “Roo-dolph,” featuring festive designs and reindeer-inspired names.

Swiss International Air Lines

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In 2023, Swiss International Air Lines joined the ranks of airlines with Christmas-themed liveries by adorning its fleet with a nod to the iconic Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. As AirlineGeeks reported, Swiss gave several of its aircraft a bright red nose, mirroring Rudolph’s signature appearance.

The whimsical design included snowflake patterns and festive decals along the fuselage. This playful touch added a dash of Christmas magic to Swiss’s flights, delighting passengers of all ages.

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Finnair: Santa’s Official Airline

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It’s no surprise that Finnair, the official airline of Santa Claus, has participated in holiday-themed liveries. According to ClaimHelp.eu, Finnair has a long-standing tradition of spreading Christmas cheer, often incorporating Santa Claus imagery and snow-filled landscapes into its designs. As Finland is known as Santa’s official home, these festive liveries align perfectly with Finnair’s branding, creating a memorable experience for passengers heading to Lapland or other destinations.

Where Have All the Christmas Liveries Gone?

While many airlines have historically embraced Christmas-themed liveries, their presence has diminished recently. As AeroTime pointed out, the decline of themed liveries may be attributed to cost-cutting measures and logistical challenges.

Custom liveries require significant investment in design, application, and maintenance, making them less appealing in an era of tightened budgets.
Additionally, operational considerations, such as coordinating festive designs with regular maintenance schedules, have further limited their use.

A list of defunct airlines that had special Christmas liveries:

Year

Airline

Description

1993

Compass Airlines

Painted a Santa hat on a McDonnell Douglas DC-9-82, showcasing a sophisticated Christmas style.

2009

Thomson Airways

Added reindeer antlers and a “Merry Christmas” message to a Boeing 757, embracing the festive trend.

2012

Air Berlin

Launched the “Flying home for Christmas” campaign, decorating aircraft with festive themes annually until 2015.

The Joy of Themed Liveries

Despite these challenges, Christmas-themed liveries remain an exciting tradition that passengers eagerly anticipate. They offer a unique way for airlines to connect emotionally with their customers, creating a memorable travel experience. Moreover, the social media era has amplified the impact of festive liveries, with passengers sharing images and stories of their encounters with these holiday-themed planes.

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October ended on a positive note for Finnair, with the airline announcing at the conclusion of the month that the first of 12 renewed Embraer E190 aircraft had completed its cabin refurbishment. The Finnish flag carrier plans to have all 12 wrapped up by the spring of 2026, offering increased comfort on lower-demand European routes from Helsinki to the likes of Dublin, Edinburgh, and Manchester.

As part of the refurbishment program, the airline has aligned the interiors of these aircraft with the color schemes used on its long-haul fleet and in the carrier’s Schengen lounge in Helsinki. New LED lighting has also been installed, with the lighter materials that are used for the seats and carpets resulting in a weight saving of approximately 150 kg per aircraft.

Elsewhere, October 30th marked the start of the season for Finnair’s new autumn/winter food and drink menu, which will be available on its flights to and from Helsinki until the end of January. With classic flavors and seasonal

Holiday spirit in the sky

From Alaska Airlines’ cheerful Santa Claus designs to Swiss’s red-nosed aircraft and Finnair’s snowy landscapes, Christmas-themed liveries have captured the holiday spirit and brought it to the skies. While such designs may have dwindled in recent years, they leave a lasting impression.

For passengers fortunate enough to board a Christmas-themed aircraft, the festive designs provide a magical start to their holiday journey.

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Photo: Alaska airlines

As airlines balance operational demands with creative marketing, the future of Christmas-themed liveries remains to be determined. However, their legacy as a symbol of holiday cheer and aviation artistry ensures they will always have a special place in the hearts of travelers. Whether on a snowy Finnair jet heading to Lapland or a playful Swiss aircraft channeling Rudolph, these liveries remind us that the spirit of Christmas knows no bounds—even at 30,000 feet.

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