Posts

This is the  Air China  category
~ Latest liveries first ~

Jinli

Jinli   锦礼号
#3
B-6071 A330-243 Air China (Southwest branch) 2021-

Air China's Southwest branch is one of its largest units, with Chengdu Airport as its base. In June 2021, Air China unveiled this special scheme as it started the transition from Chengdu-Shuangliu to the new Tianfu Airport. Famous landmarks of the Chengdu area such as Qingcheng Mountain, Anshun Bridge, as well as the city skyline -composed of the Sichuan Radio and Television Tower-, Tianfu Overpass and other buildings are shown in shapes forming the eyes and ears of panda bears, other symbols of Sichuan. Also present are the silhouettes of bamboo forest, gaiwan tea sets, copper flowers and fruits as well as standing birds of Sanxingdui Museum.

The scheme was presented parked next to the two other specials from the Southwest branch, the two A321 in Beautiful Sichuan liveries. Jinli is the name of a very popular merchant street in downtown Chengdu.

Image  ©  Kevin Sung (LXA)
Tags   Tourism, Wildlife

Beijing 2022 #2

Beijing 2022  
#2
Winter Olympics Sports   冬奥运动号
B-5497 B737-89L Air China (Beijing HQ) 2021-23

A second special scheme for the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics was unveiled in late February 2020. The two sides were different and displayed silhouettes of athletes competing in different sports.

Images  ©  Yiran (PEK) & Yan Shuai (KMG)
Tags   Olympics, Winter Sports

Beijing 2022 #1 Ice & Snow

Beijing 2022  
#1
Winter Olympics Ice & Snow   冬奥冰雪号
B-5425 B737-89L Air China (Beijing HQ) 2020-23

B-5425 was unveiled in the Beijing 2022 scheme in September 2020 when the countdown to the event was approaching 500 days. The port side displayed Bingdun Dun, the mascot of the Winter Olympics as well as Xue Rongrong, the mascot of the Winter Paralympics.

Images  ©  Danny Yu (PEK) & EK4822 (TSN)
Tags   Olympics, Panda

Hello Zhoushan

Hello Zhoushan   舟山你好
ICBC Leasing   工银租赁
B-1178 B737-8 MAX Air China (Chongqing branch) 2018

B-1178 was the first 737 delivered from the Boeing Completion and Delivery Center located in Zhoushan (HSN/ZSZS), on the island of the same name in the Zhejiang province. Part of the aircraft destined to Chinese operators will have their interior work finished there after the usual assembly in Renton (Washington) and ferry flight to China. Paint hangars are set to open soon as well. The customer acceptance and delivery processes will take place directly at Zhoushan. Decals were short-lived.

Image  © 
Tags   Manufacturer Milestone

Expo 2019 Beijing #2 Blooming

Expo 2019 Beijing   2019北京世园会
#2
Blooming   花开盛世号
B-5425 B737-89L Air China (Beijing HQ) 2018-20

Air China was an official sponsor of the 2019 Horticultural Expo, which was held in the Yanqing District of Beijing. The Expo -organised under the theme “Live Green, Live Better”- was open between 29 April and 7 October 2019. The special scheme was unveiled in May 2018 and "Dream Seeds" were distributed to passengers of the first flights.

This second design was based on the Beijing rose. The rose is the flower of the capital city altogether with the chrysanthemum. China Rose is extensively cultivated as an ornamental plant in China; the aircraft was unveiled in Kunming, Yunnan after a flight from Beijing. Kunming hosted the same event in 1999, exactly 20 years before.

Image  ©  Maarten Visser (PEK)
Tags   Exhibition, Plants

Expo 2019 Beijing #1

Expo 2019 Beijing   2019北京世园会
#1
Colourful World Park   多彩世园号
B-1083 A350-941 Air China (Beijing HQ) 2018-19
B-5497 B737-89L Air China (Beijing HQ) 2018-21

Air China was an official sponsor of the 2019 Horticultural Expo, which was held in the Yanqing District in Beijing. The Expo, which was organised under the theme “Live Green, Live Better”, took place between 29 April and 7 October 2019. The special scheme was unveiled a year before the opening and "Dream Seeds" were distributed to passengers onboard the inaugural flight.

Images  ©  Gerrit Griem (FRA) & Thomas Ingendorn (HKG)
Tags   Exhibition

2016 CCTV Spring Festival Gala

2016 CCTV Spring Festival Gala   2016央视春晚号
B-6556 A321-213 Air China (Southwest branch) 2016

These short-lived special titles by the Southwest branch of CA were unveiled for Chinese New Year celebrations which took place onboard this very A321 on the CA9696 Beijing to Chengdu flight during 2016 New Year's Eve. Special attention was given to passengers who could not join their families in time for the celebrations, and live broadcast of the CCTV New Year's Eve Gala was available onboard, a first in China.

Image  ©  Danny Yu (PEK)
Tags   Season's Greetings, TV

Love China

Love China   爱中国
B-2006 B777-39LER Air China (Beijing HQ) 2014-

This aircraft features a special livery to celebrate the 65th anniversary of the establishment of the People’s Republic of China. The livery is a combination of the 爱 character meaning “love” and “China” in English with a red ribbon. The special livery also celebrated the 20th and last 777-300ER delivery to the airline.

Image  ©  Olivier Mouhot (CDG)
Tags   Nationhood

China-France 50 Years

China-France 50 Years   中法50
#1
1964-2014 - 50ème Anniversaire Chine-France - 庆祝中法建交50周年
B-2047 B777-39LER Air China (Beijing HQ) 2014-24

In 1964 France’s General De Gaulle was the first Western World leader to resume diplomatic relations with China, paving the way for a progressive re-establishment of links with many other countries. This special livery commemorated the event. The two sides of the aircraft displayed a landmark of the two countries’ capital cities: the Temple of Heaven (Tian Tan) of Beijing was visible on the port side while the iconic Eiffel Tower could be seen on the starboard side. Note titles were painted in French and Chinese accordingly. Air France also unveiled a special decal for the same event, albeit on an A380.

Images  ©  Danny Yu (PEK)
Tags   Commemoration

Tianjao Inner Mongolia

Tianjao Inner Mongolia   天骄内蒙古
Proud Son of Heaven
B-5226 B737-79L Air China Inner Mongolia 2013-

Nèi Měnggu or Inner Mongolia is an autonomous region of the People’s Republic of China with capital Hohhot. This livery was unveiled in late December 2013 when B-5226 officially became the first aircraft registered at the newly-born Inner Mongolia branch of Air China. The inaugural flight was from Hohhot to Beijing. Since 2014 Inner Mongolia operations are no longer a branch in itself but rather a separate company; standard Air China titles were changed to "Air China Inner Mongolia" titles in late 2015; note the other six 738 in the fleet of the branch also carry full corresponding titles.

The livery graphics include an ancient dragon head, horsehair curl patterns as well as abstract flames. The livery as a whole symbolizes local ethnic and geographic characteristics of the region, which is deemed to be "favored by God", hence the other "Proud son of heaven" name given to that scheme.

Image  ©  Danny Yu (PEK)
Tags   Traditional Patterns

Smiling China

Smiling China   微笑中国
B-2035 B777-39LER Air China (Beijing HQ) 2012-22

This livery featured a distinctive design made of 40 smiling faces of Chinese people, highlighting the critical role the Chinese aviation industry has played in bringing China to the world. The 40 people portrayed were selected from a social media campaign organized by Air China and Boeing in July 2012.

Image  ©  Olivier Mouhot (CDG)
Tags   Airline Marketing

Dream Chaser

Dream Chaser   追梦者
B-2085 B777-39LER Air China (Beijing HQ) 2011

B-2085 was the very first 777-300ER delivered to the airline in July 2011; the airframe sported special titles in late 2011. The name was the result of the "I Name Air China's Aircraft" campaign on the Weibo social platform. The winner got its name applied on the aircraft and two return tickets from Beijing to Frankfurt, the first intercontinental route of the plane.

Image  © 
Tags   Fleet

Lilac Peony #9

Lilac Peony   中国红牡丹号
#9
B-5177 B737-86N Air China (Beijing HQ) 2011-19

This aircraft was the third Peony Blossom Jet to be unveiled and the aircraft is based in Tianjin. It is one of the frames used on routes to Taiwan (for that reason note the usual PRC flag was missing).

The livery was a stylized take on a peony blossom (the national flower), which is a traditional Chinese pattern, symbol among others of grace, prosperity and luxury. These visually pleasing liveries were part of a broader initiative aiming at improving service to customers while developping the image of a "blooming" national carrier. The initiative also included the special painting of two A330s to promote high-end products, as well as a Phoenix and two Auspicious Cloud liveries.

Image  ©  Dlsunshy (DLC)
Tags   Plants, Traditional Patterns

Spot Silver Peony #8

Spot Silver Peony   专色银牡丹号
#8
B-5176 B737-86N Air China (Beijing HQ) 2010-19
B-5178 B737-86N Air China (Beijing HQ) 2010-19

These aircraft were previously flying in the 2008 Olympics - Fuwa scheme and upon repaint got another variation of the Peony Blossom Jet scheme unveiled two years before.

The livery was a stylized take on a peony blossom (the national flower), which is a traditional Chinese pattern, symbol among others of grace, prosperity and luxury. These visually pleasing liveries were part of a broader initiative aiming at improving service to customers while developping the image of a "blooming" national carrier. The initiative also included the special painting of two A330s to promote high-end products, as well as a Phoenix and two Auspicious Cloud liveries.

Image  ©  Dlsunshy (DLC)
Tags   Plants, Traditional Patterns

Champagne Gold Peony #7

Champagne Gold Peony   香槟金牡丹号
#7
B-5390 B737-89L Air China (Chongqing branch) 2010-

This aircraft was the seventh Peony Jet to be unveiled and the aircraft is based in Chongqing. It is one of the frames used on routes to Taiwan (for that reason note the usual PRC flag is missing).

The livery was a stylized take on a peony blossom (the national flower), which is a traditional Chinese pattern, symbol among others of grace, prosperity and luxury. These visually pleasing liveries were part of a broader initiative aiming at improving service to customers while developping the image of a "blooming" national carrier. The initiative also included the special painting of two A330s to promote high-end products, as well as a Phoenix and two Auspicious Cloud liveries.

Image  ©  Dlsunshy (PEK)
Tags   Plants, Traditional Patterns

Splendid Hubei

Splendid Hubei   锦绣湖北
B-6610 A320-214 Air China (Hubei branch) 2010-20

Promoting Hubei province in Central China (capital Wuhan) with plum blossoms (meihua). The flower is a symbol of the city of Wuhan. This livery was unveiled in time for the inaugural Wuhan-Macao service in January 2010.

Air China established its Hubei branch in June 2009, filling the void after the demise of East Star Airlines. As of 2017 the branch's fleet comprises 10 A320s (of which 6 are former East Star aircraft).

Image  ©  Tek (CNX)
Tags   Plants, Tourism, Traditional Patterns

Phoenix Fenghuang

Phoenix   凤凰 Fenghuang
B-5422 B737-89L Air China (Beijing HQ) 2009-

This airframe was the 50th 737-800 delivered to Air China a special livery was designed for the occasion. Fenghuang are mythological birds of East Asia that reign over all other birds, commonly referred to as Phoenix in the Western World, although mythological similarites with the Western Phoenix are somehow superficial. Fenghuang is the feminine entity that is usually paired with the Chinese Dragon, which is traditionally deemed male.

The fenghuang is usually described as a composite of many birds with the head of a golden pheasant, the body of a mandarin duck, the tail of a peacock, the legs of a crane, the mouth of a parrot and the wings of a swallow. The fenghuang has very positive connotations. It is a symbol of high virtue and grace, and it is said to only appear in places that are blessed with utmost peace and happiness. Its appearance also marks the beginning of a new era, and this livery was part of an effort by the airline to emphasize its role as the national carrier.

Images  ©  Maarten Visser (PEK) & Tek (HKG)
Tags   Fleet, Traditional Patterns

Pink Peony #6 + China 7th Flower Expo - Beijing Shunyi Green Port

Pink Peony   粉色牡丹号
#6
+ 7th China Flower Expo - Beijing Shunyi
B-2642 B737-89L Air China (Beijing HQ) Flower Expo 2009
Peony 2009-15

This airframe got the basic Peony Blossom Jet design applied, but with the 7th China Flower Expo logo instead of the standard peony blossom. The event took place in the Shunyi district of Beijing. In late 2009 the livery was amended to the standard peony blossom scheme.

The livery was a stylized take on a peony blossom (the national flower), which is a traditional Chinese pattern, symbol among others of grace, prosperity and luxury. These visually pleasing liveries were part of a broader initiative aiming at improving service to customers while developping the image of a "blooming" national carrier. The initiative also included the special painting of two A330s to promote high-end products, as well as a Phoenix and two Auspicious Cloud liveries.

Image  ©  Danny Yu (PEK)
Tags   Exhibition, Plants, Traditional Patterns

Red Auspicious Cloud

Red Auspicious Cloud   红色祥云
B-2060 B777-2J6 Air China (Beijing HQ) 2009-17

Although often referred to as the "Red Phoenix Liner", this special livery was designed after another Chinese traditional pattern: auspicious clouds. These clouds represent the heavens and mean "good luck", because of a similarity in the way the "cloud" and "luck/fortune" words are pronounced in Chinese. The unveiling of this scheme was part of an effort by the airline to emphasize its role as the national carrier. Sistership B-2059 carried a blue variation of the same scheme.

Image  ©  Bruno Geiger (PEK)
Tags   Traditional Patterns

Blue Auspicious Cloud

Blue Auspicious Cloud   蓝色祥云
B-2059 B777-2J6 Air China (Beijing HQ) 2009-16

Although often referred to as the "Blue Phoenix Liner", this special livery was designed after another Chinese traditional pattern: auspicious clouds. These clouds represent the heavens and mean "good luck", because of a similarity in the way the "cloud" and "luck/fortune" words are pronounced in Chinese. The unveiling of this scheme was part of an effort by the airline to emphasize its role as the national carrier. This frame was also the very first 777 delivered to Air China back in 1998. Sistership B-2060 carried a red variation of the same scheme.

Image  ©  Bruno Geiger (aviation-pictures.ch) (PEK)
Tags   Traditional Patterns