SPECIAL LIVERY - ‘SWISS Wanderlust’ – not painted but applied

SWISS’s first Airbus A350-900 has made its début public appearance in all its special glory. The new long-haul twinjet was rolled out in its stylish and unique ‘SWISS Wanderlust’ livery today at Airbus’s Toulouse factory site. The flying artwork is a global first – and a love letter to Switzerland, too.

The delivery of the new Airbus A350 marks a further milestone in the SWISS story. And to mark the occasion, the first of these brand-new long-haul SWISS twinjets has been given a very special look. It may appear to be a sophisticated paint job; but the elaborate new livery has actually been achieved through the use of specially certificated precision-cut films. It’s an innovation for Airbus, too: never before has one of its aircraft had so much film so extensively applied.

An artwork through precision

The application of the artistically designed motifs onto the new aircraft required the most careful preparation. The specialists at Airbus used tailored 3D software to project the designs onto the airframe, and then divided the resulting ‘picture’ into some 360 precision-cut films. Each of these was then applied manually to the millimeter to its assigned location on the fuselage or the engine nacelles.

Each of the motifs thus consists of multiple painstakingly-matched film elements, which collectively cover a total area of some 380 square meters. Airbus even developed a special procedure for the project that pays due and full regard to all the relevant safety, durability and aerodynamic requirements, while still maintaining all the livery’s artistic merit and appeal.


The special livery for SWISS’s first Airbus A350 is a playful, creative and storied homage from the company to its Swiss roots and home. Its various motifs include famous buildings, well-known landmarks and traditional sports and cultural events. Each illustration thus captures a key facet of Switzerland, ranging from its natural attractions to its people and its cultural variety.

Ready for takeoff – and further tests and trialsSWISS’s initial Airbus A350 – which is also the world’s first ‘flying art gallery’ – will soon be taking to the skies. Before it is delivered to Switzerland in late summer, though, the new long-haul twinjet will complete its final preparations at Airbus in Toulouse. There, as part of the flight line, the aircraft will have its engines and all its systems thoroughly checked and tested, and will also perform its first pre-delivery flights.

Treasure hunt still on till October

The various elements of the striking special livery of SWISS’s first Airbus A350 – like the marmot, Freddie Mercury and the Federal Parliament Building – are more than just images and designs. They offer an interactive experience, too. Visitors to swiss.com/treasurehunt can use augmented reality (AR) to explore all the livery’s illustrations. As they do so, they can also take part in a special ‘SWISS Treasure Hunt’ to find hidden details, solve intriguing puzzles and – with a little luck – win the main prize of an A350 flight for two in the new SWISS Business Class cabin.

The motifs featured in the special ‘SWISS Wanderlust’ livery:

A350 Wanderlust - Montreux

Montreux, often called the Pearl of the Swiss Riviera, is home to the famous statue of Freddie Mercury, the legendary rock star who found such inspiration here. The statue features in the special livery’s Montreux item, together with the impressive Chillon Castle and the world-renowned Montreux Jazz Festival.

A350 Wanderlust - St. Moritz

St. Moritz, the Engadine resort steeped in tourist tradition, blends luxury charm with a venerable history as a pioneer of winter tourism. The spectacular horse racing on frozen Lake St. Moritz is a particular local highlight. And the event is deftly captured in the special livery’s St. Moritz feature.

A350 Wanderlust - Wengen

Wengen is the venue for the legendary Lauberhorn races, a genuine highlight of the World Cup skiing calendar. Every year the world’s best skiers gather in the alpine resort to compete on the longest downhill course in the World Cup season. The event forms the centerpiece of the special livery’s Wengen feature, accompanied by the Schilthorn cable car and the nearby Lauterbrunnen Valley.

A350 Wanderlust - Zurich

Zurich, Switzerland’s vibrant financial and cultural hub, is home to the famous Bahnhofstrasse, one of the world’s most exclusive shopping streets. The city further offers a wide range of arts attractions and nightlife options, all of which underline its cosmopolitan vibe. Alongside the iconic Prime Tower, the special livery’s Zurich item features the city’s Grossmünster cathedral and its striking Guardian Angel statue by Niki de Saint Phalle.

A350 Wanderlust - Basel

Basel plays host to the annual Art Basel show, one of the world’s most prestigious art fairs that is a landmark event on the contemporary art scene. The special livery’s Basel item features the Messe Basel exhibition buildings along with the city’s Tinguely Fountain and its Rhine River ferry.

The further illustrations featured in the first SWISS Airbus A350’s special ‘SWISS Wanderlust’ livery include:

a marmot, a much-loved emblem of the alpine world;

the apple shot through by Wilhelm Tell, the legendary Swiss folk hero;

Helvetia, the personification of Switzerland;

a treasure chest representing the online Swiss-wide treasure hunt competition that is a further feature of the special livery concept.