Brussels Airlines chooses Atomium to grace new specially designed plane

Belgium’s iconic Atomium, built for Brussels’ international 1958 exhibition, will feature on Brussels Airlines’ next aircraft to boast a special livery.

Belgian architect Thomas Faes, who won the design competition, said he would showcase Brussels architecture with his project.

The Atomium, designed by the engineer André Waterkeyn and architects André and Jean Polak, attracts today more than 800,000 visitors per year, and is the capital of Europe’s most popular tourist attraction.

“For me, the Atomium is the symbol of Belgium,” Faes said. “The play of light and the mirror effect of the spheres allow everyone to see something different.

"As an architect, I tried to translate what I saw with the naked eye into a more technical drawing.

"I am so proud that the Atomium will soon be taking to the skies on a Brussels Airlines plane."

The Brussels Airlines teams and Faes will now work together to translate the design into a technical drawing that can be used on an aircraft. The Atomium design will also decorate the aircraft’s interior.

“Showing the best of Belgium to the world is also our mission at Brussels Airlines,” said the airline's chief executive Dorothea von Boxberg.

“The Atomium is already visible on our uniforms today, and even our logo with nine spheres is a nod to the Atomium. That is why this choice seems very natural.”

Atomium management also welcomed the news: “We are delighted that the Atomium literally has wings,” said its director, Julie Almau Gonzalez.

There were more than 900 entries in the competition. The jury chose the 15 best designs, which were presented to the public for a vote. More than 50,000 people took part.

The top five designs – Lucky Luke, cycling, poppies, shrimp fishermen, as well as the Atomium – were given to an external jury to make the final decision.

This included Eurovision winner Sandra Kim, Hooverphonic band member Alex Callier, Le Chat cartoonist Philippe Geluck and RTBF television presenter Sandrine Corman.

The result will be presented in spring 2025.