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.
Air New Zealand, the flag carrier airline of New Zealand, has a history of creating eye-catching aircraft liveries. Among the most memorable are those inspired by “The Hobbit” film series, which was filmed in New Zealand.
The airline’s first foray into Middle-earth-themed aircraft was in 2002 with a Lord of the Rings livery. However, it was the Hobbit-themed liveries that gained widespread attention.
Later, to coincide with the release of “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey,” Air New Zealand unveiled a Boeing 777-300ER featuring a large image of the dragon Smaug on its fuselage. This design also included other characters and scenes from the film.
Another Boeing 777-300ER was adorned with a new Hobbit livery, this time showcasing characters such as Bilbo Baggins and Gandalf the Grey. This design was created to celebrate the release of “The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug.”
Looking for a new airplane model? Head over to our friends at the Midwest Model Store for a wide selection of airlines and liveries.
