TOULOUSE- SWISS International Air Lines (LX) has unveiled its inaugural Airbus A350-900 featuring a distinctive ‘SWISS Wanderlust’ livery at Airbus’s facility in Toulouse (TLS). This remarkable aircraft showcases intricate artwork that pays tribute to Swiss landmarks, culture, and heritage through an innovative film application technique, a first for Airbus.
The fuselage of the A350-900 is adorned with detailed designs representing cities such as Bern (BRN), Geneva (GVA), Zurich (ZRH), among others. The aircraft is set to undergo final testing in Toulouse before it enters service later this summer.
SWISS A350 Wanderlust Livery
This livery is not merely decorative; it stands as an engineering and artistic milestone. In place of traditional paint, Airbus and SWISS employed 360 individually cut precision film pieces, meticulously adhered to the fuselage.
With an extensive coverage of around 380 square meters, this innovation sets a global precedent for aircraft customization on such a large scale.
Utilizing specialized 3D software, the design was carefully mapped out, ensuring safety and aerodynamic efficiency. This method upheld both functionality and adherence to regulatory standards while expressing Swiss cultural heritage through visual storytelling.
Celebrating Iconic Swiss Locations
The design of the aircraft highlights various significant Swiss cities and regions, including:
- Bern (BRN) – Showcasing the Federal Parliament, the city’s iconic bears, and the Aare River’s boating tradition.
- Geneva (GVA) – Featuring the Jet d’Eau and representing the city’s UN presence.
- Locarno – Celebrating the Locarno Film Festival and its distinguished Golden Leopard symbol.
- Lucerne – Highlighting the Chapel Bridge, Mount Rigi cable car, and a steamer on Lake Lucerne.
- Montreux – Including Freddie Mercury’s statue, Chillon Castle, and the city’s jazz heritage.
- St. Moritz – Depicting horse races on its frozen lake, an epitome of Alpine elegance.
- Wengen – Illustrating the famed Lauberhorn ski races and the Schilthorn cable car.
- Zurich (ZRH) – Highlighting Bahnhofstrasse, the Grossmünster Cathedral, and the Guardian Angel sculpture.
- Basel (BSL) – Celebrating Art Basel, the Tinguely Fountain, and Rhine ferries.
Additionally, national symbols such as Wilhelm Tell’s legendary apple shot, Helvetia, and the cherished alpine marmot reinforce SWISS’s commitment to showcasing its cultural narrative.
Pre-Delivery Testing and Engagement Initiatives
The aircraft will remain at Airbus’s Toulouse facility for a series of final ground checks, engine evaluations, and pre-delivery flights. Official delivery and the integration into SWISS’s long-haul fleet are scheduled for late summer 2025.
Alongside this, SWISS has introduced an interactive online treasure hunt at swiss.com/treasurehunt. This initiative allows users to explore the livery in augmented reality (AR), searching for hidden symbols and cultural features, with the opportunity to win a free A350 flight experience in SWISS’s new Business Class cabin.
This initiative necessitated Airbus to create a unique application method that blends artistry with aerodynamics. Each motif was designed considering curvature and airframe dimensions before being segmented into precisely-cut film pieces. Teams meticulously applied these elements, ensuring durability and equilibrium across the fuselage and engine nacelles.
This extensive filming project marks a first for Airbus, paving the way for similar endeavors in the future, enabling customized, non-painted liveries without sidestepping structural integrity or safety protocols.
Stay connected for further updates as we continue to follow this exciting development.
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Based on an article from aviationa2z.com: https://aviationa2z.com/index.php/2025/06/25/swiss-unveils-a350-with-new-film-based-livery/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=swiss-unveils-a350-with-new-film-based-livery