Getting to the Games: Check Out Airline Designs of Olympics Past
Aeroflot went subtle with its planes, carriers of recent games past did not.
Feb. 7, 2014— -- Russian airline Aeroflot is the official carrier of the 2014 Games in Sochi, Russia. As part of the deal Aeroflot received exclusive rights to display the logos for this year's Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, as well as those of the National Olympic and Paralympic Committees.
But while Aeroflot went subtle with its exterior plane design for the games, carriers of recent games past did not. Check out the decked-out planes of the last three Olympics.
British Airways was the official carrier of the 2012 Olympic Games in London. The airline repainted nine A319s with a dove design to mark the occasion. The artwork was by Brighton, England-based designer Pascal Anson who chose the dove theme because the dove is a symbol of peace and social unity. Additionally, doves were used ancient Olympics as a messengers.
Air Canada painted a Boeing 777 in bright Games colors and images as the official airline of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Games. Air Canada transported more than 2,700 athletes who participated in 15 different sports. Images on the plane included snowboard parallel giant slalom, ice hockey, cross-country skiing, alpine skiing, ice sledge hockey and ski jumping.
Air China was the official airline partner of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. The airline celebrated the partnership by highlighting on its planes the games' official mascots: five "Fuwa" animal cartoon characters.
