AeroMéxico presents the special livery of its first Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner (XA-AML, msn 43859). The aircraft will be named “Quetzalcoatl” (meaning “Feathered Serpent”) after one of the principal deities of pre-Hispanic Mexico.
This is the first time in aviation history in which a design of this type is painted on an aircraft’s livery, offering a unique fusion of tradition and modernity. AeroMéxico’s Quetzalcoatl plane left the Boeing Aircraft Paint Hangar after a nine-day process—six days longer than expected—as the engineers found that they needed extra time to add all of the original hues and colors featured in the winning design.
In November 2014, AeroMéxico announced the “Design is in the Air” contest via social media and at several universities, inviting participants to submit a creative image to be painted on an aircraft’s fuselage. More than 1,000 participants presented their designs during the four-week contest period, 400 of which were chosen for meeting the requirements established in the rules. The winning design was created by graphic designer José Manuel Escudero of the Mexican state of Veracruz.
Copyright Photo: AeroMexico Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner XA-ADL (msn 43859) (Quetzalcoatl) PAE (Nick Dean). Image: 935138.
AeroMéxico is the second carrier in Latin America to operate the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner and plans to continue investing until its fleet has ten 787-9 aircraft, with the purpose of providing a better flight experience to customers. If an airline places an order for a 787 today, it could take between 10 to 15 years for it to be delivered. With a fuselage measuring 20 feet wider than the 787-8, the 787-9 will have the capacity for 48 additional passengers on longer routes (up to 300 more nautical miles) with 20% greater fuel efficiency, and up to 20% fewer emissions than the aircraft this model is replacing.
The airline has said that it will wait until the plane lands in Mexico to unveil the interior of this new aircraft that will change its customers’ travel experience.
Photo: AeroMexico.
