Today, Brussels Airlines proudly presented its latest Belgian Icon, a tribute to one of Belgium’s most internationally cherished creations: Tintin. The airline revealed its freshly painted aircraft (Airbus A320 – OO‑SNJ), inspired by Hergé’s universe and the famous adventures on the Moon and in space. 

It is the second Tintin‑themed aircraft in the Belgian Icons collection. The aircraft’s inaugural commercial flight is scheduled for February 13 to Milan Linate.

The new design was developed in close collaboration with Tintinimaginatio, who explored several creative directions. 

The Moon and space theme quickly emerged as the strongest choice as it is instantly recognizable, emotionally powerful, and visually striking. Its connection to aviation through flight, altitude, and exploration made it a natural fit, while its clean aesthetic ensured a refined and balanced livery. 

The final concept features Tintin’s characters in weightlessness, creating a light and dynamic visual effect across the fuselage.

“After the incredible success of the first Tintin plane – Rackham – Brussels Airlines decided to continue with the adventure. And we accepted their proposition without any hesitation. We actually see this as the first step towards celebrating the 100th Anniversary of Tintion on the 10th January 2029″, Nick Rodwell, CEO, Tintinimaginatio, says in the press release.

“Comic art is an essential part of Belgium’s cultural identity, and Hergé’s work continues to inspire people around the world. It is no coincidence that ‘Rackham’ was our very first Belgian Icon. With this new aircraft, we deepen that legacy and strengthen our mission to showcase Belgian creativity around the world. We are proud to bring another iconic piece of Belgian culture into the skies and to offer our passengers a unique experience”, Dorothea von Boxberg, CEO, Brussels Airlines, says. 

A tribute to Hergé’s universe

​The two sides of the aircraft are different, which makes it possible to feature several characters (Tintin and the Moon on one side, Snowy and Captain Haddock on the other) without overloading the visual design of the livery. The cherry under the cake is the moon-rocket on the belly of the aircraft, which will take off, fly, and land ‘for real’. The background of the livery is a gradient going from midnight blue to black.

Inside the cabin, the Belgian Icon experience continues, where the lunar atmosphere is extended through various design elements. 

The overhead compartments tell a story with a sequence of visuals following one another like comic-book panels: the rocket taking off from Earth, the risk of encountering an asteroid… All of it framed by Hergé’s handwritten quote: « À force de croire en ses rêves, l’Homme en fait une réalité », “By believing in his dreams long enough, Man turns them into reality“.

​Passengers will also encounter Snowy and Tintin again as well as Thomson and Thompson on the bulkheads and the digitally printed floor carpet by Lantal Textiles is a subtle reference to outer space.

The painting of the aircraft was carried out entirely by Airbourne Colors, a long‑standing and trusted partner of Brussels Airlines.

The aircraft’s inaugural commercial flight is scheduled for February 13, departing Brussels Airport for Milan Linate at 10:25 AM.

About the Belgian Icons

​As with every Belgian Icon, the new aircraft embodies the airline’s ambition to bring a little piece of Belgium in the air and sharing the best of the country with the world.

Brussels Airlines introduced its very first Belgian Icon, Rackham (OO‑SNB), in 2015. More than a decade later, Rackham remains one of the most photographed aircraft in the world and will continue flying in the airline’s fleet until 2027. ​

​With OO‑SNJ, Brussels Airlines expands its homage to Tintin, adding a second aircraft celebrating the timeless universe created by Hergé.

In November 2022, the new version of Trident – the aircraft dedicated to the Belgian Red Devils and Red Flames, the Belgian male and female national football teams – was presented. 

In April 2024, the second edition of Amare was revealed, which is a collaboration with the world-famous music festival Tomorrowland. Atomium, the fourth Belgian Icon, was unveiled in March 2025.

Previous Belgian Icons include:

• Magritte, part of the fleet between 2016 and 2021, paying homage to René Magritte, the Belgian surrealistic painter.
• Aerosmurf, which smurfed the fleet between 2018 and 2023, created following a design contest organised by Brussels Airlines.
• Bruegel, celebrating Flemish painter Pieter Bruegel the Elder, which traveled the world between 2019 and 2023.

All images: © Brussels Airlines / Hergé / Tintinimaginatio 2026, via the Brussels Airlines press release.

Brussels Airlines news

• ‘Bienvenue à Bord’ shows Brussels Airlines behind the scenes to francophone audiences.
• Brussels Airlines and Lufthansa Group will roll-out free high-speed Wi-Fi, together with Starlink: free Wi-Fi coming up across all travel classes, across the entire fleet.
• Brussels Airlines introduces African-inspired meal options on flights from sub-Saharan Africa to Brussels.
• Brussels Airlines opens pop-up lounge for premium passengers during The Loft renovation: a brand-new lounge is scheduled to open by the end of summer 2026.
• Brussels Airlines welcomes new Star Chef Glenn Verhasselt from two-Michelin-star restaurant Sir Kwinten.
• No cancellations at Brussels Airlines due to software updates Airbus.
• Brussels Airlines adds Kilimanjaro, Tanzania, to its network: “the perfect gateway to discover UNESCO treasures in East Africa”.
• Brussels Airlines adds five more Airbus 320neo aircraft to its fleet.
• Brussels Airlines carried nearly 2 million passengers this summer.
• Brussels Airlines notes increasing demand for destinations with cooler temperatures, such Evenes (Norway), Edinburgh (Scotland) and Bilbao (Spain).
• Brussels Airlines celebrates twenty years of women in Maintenance and Engineering.
• Brussels Airlines launch customer for new Virtual Reality pilot training within Lufthansa Group: Lufthansa Aviation Training and Airbus developed new software to enhance pilot trainings.
• Brussels Airlines expects strong summer 2025 with boosted capacity.
• Brussels Airlines set to transport 1 million passengers during Easter and spring 2025 holiday season.
• Brussels Airlines enhances long-haul Business Class experience.
• Brussels Airlines unveils ‘Atomium’: the newest Belgian Icon and brings yet another little piece of Belgium in the air.
• Brussels Airlines, Beobank and Mastercard launch credit cards with exclusive benefits.
• Brussels Airlines Celebrates Aviation Heritage: 100 years of connecting with Africa.
• REVIEW | ‘Welkom Aan Boord’ ft. Brussels Airlines shows reality of an airline.
• Brussels Airlines launches ‘A little piece of Belgium in the air’ campaign.
• Brussels Airlines will welcome 3 more A320neo aircraft in the fleet by summer 2026.
• Brussels Airlines launches most extensive offer ever to Sub-Saharan Africa.
• Brussels Airlines expands in summer 2025: more seats, higher frequencies and over 300 extra jobs.
• Brussels Airlines Training Centre.
• Brussels Airlines switches from AmEx to Mastercard and Beobank to earn Miles & More.
• Brussels Airlines prepares for 2024-2025 winter season, adding more sun to its destinations.
• Brussels Airlines expands its fleet and invests in new cabin interior.
• Brussels Airlines pleased with its punctuality during 2024 summer holiday season.
• Brussels Airlines’ new Belgian Icon livery to be more Belgian than ever: public gets to vote.
• Brussels Airlines wins prestigious wine awards.
• Brussels Airlines is ready for the busy 2024 summer season.
• Brussels Airlines now connects Belgium and Nairobi in Kenya.
• Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Eurowings and Lufthansa present four ‘Yes to Europe’ aircraft in Brussels.
• World premiere: Brussels Airlines and Tomorrowland present aircraft with augmented reality in new livery.
• Brussels Airlines sees increase of leisure travellers in business class.
• Brussels Airlines’ The Loft wins Europe’s Leading Airline Lounge award for the sixth time in a row.
• Brussels Airlines drops new uniforms and more inclusive style guide.
• Brussels Airlines’ first Airbus A320neo performs its maiden flight to Vienna.
• Brussels Airlines and Tomorrowland party flights to use 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel.