Qatar Airways launches elegant new special livery to celebrate the World Cup in 2022

For the foreseeable future, we’re going to be seeing fewer special liveries while airlines try to save cash and focus on a service return, so those rare few that do roll out will certainly garner some attention now. Qatar Airways is one of the first in this period to reveal a special livery, and naturally, like many more to come, is commercially led.

Being the official partner and airline of FIFA, the airline unveiled a specially-branded Boeing 777 aircraft painted in FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 livery to mark two years to go until the tournament kicks off on 21 November 2022.

The Boeing 777-300ER flew for the first time wearing it’s new threads yesterday, 21st November between Doha and Zurich, one of the many routes this aircraft will fly. The inaugural route of the bespoke aircraft further reiterates the airline’s commitment to the FIFA partnership by flying to the home of FIFA in Switzerland on this significant date.

Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, said: “We are tremendously excited to celebrate our partnership with FIFA and Qatar’s status as host of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 by introducing this unique aircraft to our fleet. As Official Partner and Official Airline of FIFA, we can feel the excitement building with two years to go until we will welcome the world to our beautiful country.

Qatar Airways Senior Vice President Marketing and Corporate Communications, Ms. Salam Al Shawa, added: “Qatar Airways is proud to continue its journey supporting FIFA tournaments and with FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 now just two years away, we are especially excited to reveal this beautiful aircraft.”

And it’s true, it’s a beautiful adaptation of the Qatar Airways special livery, with just a simple flag billowing down the fuselage. Personal preference would have positioned the flag a little further rear, but the striking maroon rippled fabric effect that was hand-painted will certainly turn heads. It’s often the simplicity of these special liveries is what makes them stand out the most, which is why airline Retrojet designs are still so much loved.