The Rackham livery of Brussels Airlines is a distinctive and artistic aircraft design inspired by the famous Belgian comic character Tintin, specifically the "Red Rackham's Treasure" album. This Airbus A320 aircraft is painted to resemble the iconic black shark submarine from that story, stretching 37 meters long along the fuselage, based on the original drawings of Hergé, Tintin’s creator. The project was made possible through a collaboration with Moulinsart, the company managing Hergé’s legacy. Beyond the exterior, the interior cabin also features Tintin-themed artwork, including images of Tintin and Captain Haddock, enriching the flying experience with a strong cultural connection to Belgium. This livery celebrates one of Belgium’s greatest cultural exports and reflects Brussels Airlines' dedication to showcasing Belgian heritage worldwide.
Since its unveiling in 2015, the Rackham aircraft has become one of the most photographed planes globally and a flagship example of Brussels Airlines’ "Belgian Icons" series—a fleet of special liveries designed to represent Belgium’s culture and artistry. After the initial paint began to fade, Brussels Airlines and Moulinsart extended their partnership to restore and refresh the livery to its original state, ensuring that Rackham remains part of the fleet for at least five additional years. While the exterior remains nearly identical to the original design, the interior cabin has been updated with even more Tintin illustrations, reinforcing Brussels Airlines' role as a cultural ambassador of Belgium. This commitment underlines the airline's mission to always maintain at least five special Belgian Icon liveries in its fleet, making Rackham a symbol of Belgian pride and creativity in aviation.
©José Calatayud - Photo taken at the planespotters' area of runway 25L of EBBR airport
Text Source: Perplexity.ai and Brussels Airlines
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