Editor’s Note: AirlineGeeks is proud to present our ‘Livery of the Week’ series. Every Friday, a team member will share an airline livery, which can be from the past, present, or even a special scheme. Some airline liveries are works of art. The complexity associated with painting around critical flight components and the added weight requires outside-the-box thinking from designers. The average airliner can cost upwards of $200,000 to repaint, creating a separate aircraft repainting industry as a result.
Have an idea for a livery that we should highlight? Drop us a line.
In 2023, Alaska unveiled a new aircraft livery that celebrates its namesake state’s iconic salmon.
The Boeing 737-800 features a design created by Alaska Native artist Crystal Worl, incorporating traditional Northwest Coast form-line art.
Named X̱áat Ḵwáani, meaning “Salmon People” in the Tlingit language, the aircraft honors the cultural and ecological significance of salmon to Alaska Native people. Worl’s artwork depicts the salmon’s life cycle and its connection to the land and people.
This is the first time an Alaska Airlines aircraft has been named in an Alaska Native language. The aircraft is registered as N559AS.
Looking for a new airplane model? Head over to our friends at the Midwest Model Store for a wide selection of airlines and liveries.
