Flying the flag: Great World Cup airplane paint jobs

CNN Staff
1 minute read
Published 4:28 AM EDT, Thu June 12, 2014
"Vamos Argentina" says the Aerolineas Argentinas Boeing 737. It also sports the I-just-scored-a-wondergoal expressions of Lionel Messi, Gonzalo Higuain and Sergio Aguero.
Argentina —
"Vamos Argentina" says the Aerolineas Argentinas Boeing 737. It also sports the I-just-scored-a-wondergoal expressions of Lionel Messi, Gonzalo Higuain and Sergio Aguero.
JUAN MABROMATA/AFP/Getty Images
Qantas is "Proudly supporting the Socceroos" with a Boeing 747 decorated with a large football and a pair of golden boots strung around the airline mascot's neck. No jokes about choking, please.
Australia —
Qantas is "Proudly supporting the Socceroos" with a Boeing 747 decorated with a large football and a pair of golden boots strung around the airline mascot's neck. No jokes about choking, please.
courtesy Qantas
Personalized headrests and interior decor featuring their key players -- Belgium's Red Devils are being given the star treatment inside the Brussels Airlines Airbus A330 before they've even donned a sock. At 20/1 the team is a top five favorite to win the whole thing.
Belgium —
Personalized headrests and interior decor featuring their key players -- Belgium's Red Devils are being given the star treatment inside the Brussels Airlines Airbus A330 before they've even donned a sock. At 20/1 the team is a top five favorite to win the whole thing.
from Brussels Airlines Facebook
Low-cost carrier GOL commissioned Brazil's acclaimed artistic duo Os Gemeos to turn the Boeing 737 into a flying canvas. They used 1,200 cans of spray paint to shroud the entire plane, apart from the wings, in a theme of "Brazilianness, democracy and diversity."
Brazil —
Low-cost carrier GOL commissioned Brazil's acclaimed artistic duo Os Gemeos to turn the Boeing 737 into a flying canvas. They used 1,200 cans of spray paint to shroud the entire plane, apart from the wings, in a theme of "Brazilianness, democracy and diversity."
Douglas Magno/AFP/Getty Images
Lufthansa has renamed eight of its planes "Fanhansa" and added a football and German flag motif. The team -- 6/1 to become champions behind only Brazil and Argentina -- is being flown on an Airbus A340.
Germany —
Lufthansa has renamed eight of its planes "Fanhansa" and added a football and German flag motif. The team -- 6/1 to become champions behind only Brazil and Argentina -- is being flown on an Airbus A340.
jurgen mai
Solid, sturdy characters behind with a flash of dazzling flair up front -- the motif on the Aircharter.com Boeing 767 is much like the team it's transporting. Let's just hope star forward Asamoah Gyan remembered to pack his astonishing goal-scoring record.
Ghana —
Solid, sturdy characters behind with a flash of dazzling flair up front -- the motif on the Aircharter.com Boeing 767 is much like the team it's transporting. Let's just hope star forward Asamoah Gyan remembered to pack his astonishing goal-scoring record.
courtesy aircharter.com
We're not sure what'll make the champions of four years ago more uncomfortable -- their 13/2 odds this year or the beaming, highly expectant fan faces adorning the back end of Iberia's Airbus A330. Nice and colorful though.
Spain —
We're not sure what'll make the champions of four years ago more uncomfortable -- their 13/2 odds this year or the beaming, highly expectant fan faces adorning the back end of Iberia's Airbus A330. Nice and colorful though.
courtesy iberia airlines
It's not carrying a national football team, but this Air Berlin Airbus A320 has been turned into "Fan Force One" during the World Cup.
And finally ... Air Berlin —
It's not carrying a national football team, but this Air Berlin Airbus A320 has been turned into "Fan Force One" during the World Cup.
Philipp Schumacher/air berlin
Great World Cup airplane paintjobs

Story highlights

Airlines are playing their part in the World Cup fever, with many rolling out themed liveries

Brazil's team is using a plane completely covered by graffiti art

Germany's Lufthansa has renamed eight of its planes to "Fanhansa"

CNN  — 

They may have a silly name and be 750-1 against to win the tournament, but Australia’s “Socceroos” were Team Keen on May 28, arriving first for the Brazil World Cup in a specially designed Qantas jet marked with the team logo.

Thus began a small but nevertheless slideshow-worthy trend for spruced up World Cup aircraft.

Brazil’s GOL adopted the role of attention-stealing host, with a paint job so magnificent it’s worthy of its own gallery.

Germany’s Lufthansa became “Fanhansa” on eight planes, in a design that valued minimalism and efficiency over gaudy ostentation.

Click through the gallery for more.

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