The Brazilian carrier Azul Linhas Aéreas has begun operations onboard an Airbus A320neo that poses a unique livery of Disney’s Donald Duck. This is the third Azul aircraft painted with a Disney livery; the airline also has a Mickey Mouse and a Minnie Mouse jetliners.
Donald Duck is flying!
The beloved Disney character Donald Duck never flew on its own. Despite being a duck, he never soared the Disney skies using his wings. Nonetheless, there’s a 1943 animated short film called The Flying Jalopy in which Donald Duck takes one plane out for a test and flies (despite Ben Buzzard’s attempts to take him down).
Nearly 80 years later, Azul has taken Donald Duck into the skies again. Azul operated today the first commercial flights of its Airbus A320neo, registration PR-YSI. This aircraft has a special Donald Duck livery. It is the third out of four aircraft of a special series Azul is calling ‘The Most Magical Fleet in the World’.
The cabin also has references to the famous Disney cartoon. This aircraft was first delivered on April 15 and has the capacity to carry 174 passengers in a two-class configuration. It has 144 economy seats and 30 economy plus.
On its first day, the Donald Duck A320neo will be flying between Viracopos, Brasília, Porto Seguro, Goiânia, and Sinop, said Azul in a statement.
Daniel Bicudo, Azul’s Marketing Director, said,
“We were very anxious to put one more aircraft of The Most Magical Fleet in the World into operation. Now there are three Azul airplanes, themed with Disney characters known and admired by all, landing and taking off daily through the cities of Brazil. This is yet another Azul action that aims to provide a differentiated and exclusive experience to customers who choose to fly with the company.”
The Most Magical Fleet in the World
So far, Azul has received three aircraft painted with Disney characters. The Brazilian airline also has a Mickey Mouse-painted Airbus A320neo and a Minnie Mouse Airbus A321neo.
Azul first received the Mickey Mouse jetliner in September last year. Its Brazilian registration is PR-YSH.
A few months later, Azul received the Minnie Mouse jetliner in December. The registration is PR-YJF.
Cinthia Douglas, Disney Destinations for Latin America director of Marketing and Sales, added,
“Each airplane of this magical fleet fills us with pride and excitement. Today we are extremely happy to welcome the airplane inspired by Donald Duck, the third character in the fleet, which will delight everyone wherever it goes, helping us spread the Disney magic to every corner of the country.”
Azul still has to receive an additional Disney-related aircraft in the near future. The airline said it will soon reveal which character will be painted in the livery. Could it be Pluto?
There are more examples of airline partnering with Disney. Last year, Avianca introduced this Encanto livery on an Airbus A320. Photo: Avianca.
Painting unique liveries onboard commercial aircraft is a well-extended practice between airlines and companies globally.
For example, Allegiant has an aircraft painted with the color scheme of the Las Vegas Raiders, an NFL team, in an attempt to cater to football fans next season.
Disney has signed marketing deals with several airlines out there. For instance, Disney and Avianca introduced an Airbus A320 with a livery promoting Disney’s new movie Encanto late last year. Encanto is an animated movie based in Colombia, Avianca’s home.
Alaska Airlines recently revealed its new Star Wars Boeing 737 livery; LATAM has a Boeing 777-300ER aptly called the Stormtrooper plane; and until very recently, ANA had the famously adorable BB-8, a Boeing 777-381ER.
What do you think about Azul’s latest Disney aircraft? Do you like it? Let us know in the comments below.
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