Brussels Airlines has just unveiled its stunning new ‘Atomium Jet,’ proving Belgian pride can indeed take flight. This Airbus A320, freshly painted in a dazzling metallic livery inspired by Brussels’ iconic Atomium landmark, touched down in Brussels this morning and is set for its maiden voyage to Prague tomorrow – where it’s bound to make quite the impression on the tarmac. What makes this aircraft special isn’t just its eye-catching design, but how it came to be. Last summer, the airline invited Belgians to submit design ideas that capture the nation’s spirit, receiving over 900 entries featuring everything from comic book heroes to bicycle motifs. After more than 50,000 public votes and deliberation by a star-studded judging panel including Eurovision winner Sandra Kim, the winning Atomium-themed design by architect Thomas Faes was selected. Faes, who grew up fascinated by the landmark’s futuristic spheres, described seeing his childhood inspiration transformed into a flying work of art as an architect’s dream come true. This isn’t the airline’s first foray into special liveries – their fleet already celebrates Belgian chocolate, fries and football – but the Atomium jet might just be their most striking tribute yet. While passengers won’t find atom-shaped interiors (at least not yet), the aircraft serves as a brilliant ambassador for Belgian creativity as it crisscrosses European skies. After years of enduring “boring Belgium” jokes, this flying tribute to one of the country’s most recognizable landmarks proves there’s nothing dull about Belgian design when it takes to the air.
