SWISS Unveils A350 With New Film-Based Livery, First in the World

TOULOUSE- SWISS International Air Lines (LX) has revealed its first Airbus A350-900 in a special ‘SWISS Wanderlust’ livery at Airbus’s Toulouse facility (TLS). The unique artwork-laden aircraft pays homage to Swiss landmarks, culture, and heritage using precision-applied film, a first for Airbus.

The A350-900’s fuselage is covered with intricate motifs representing cities like Bern (BRN), Geneva (GVA), Zurich (ZRH), and more. Before entering service later this summer, the aircraft will undergo final testing in Toulouse.

Photo: SWISS

SWISS A350 Wanderlust Livery

The livery isn’t just decorative — it’s an engineering and artistic achievement. Rather than traditional paint, Airbus and SWISS used 360 individually cut precision film pieces, applied manually onto the fuselage with meticulous detail.

Covering approximately 380 square meters, this technique marks a global first in aircraft customization at this scale for Airbus.

Special 3D software helped map and divide the design to ensure safety and aerodynamic efficiency. The approach preserved both form and function, maintaining regulatory standards while showcasing Swiss identity through visual storytelling.

Photo: SWISS

Iconic Swiss Locations on Aircraft

Each section of the aircraft celebrates a specific Swiss city or region:

• Bern (BRN) – Features the Federal Parliament, iconic city bears, and the Aare River’s boating tradition.
• Geneva (GVA) – Displays the Jet d’Eau and the city’s UN presence.
• Locarno – Highlights the Locarno Film Festival and its Golden Leopard symbol.
• Lucerne – Showcases the Chapel Bridge, Mount Rigi cable car, and a Lake Lucerne steamer.
• Montreux – Includes Freddie Mercury’s statue, Chillon Castle, and jazz heritage.
• St. Moritz – Depicts horse races on its frozen lake, emblematic of Alpine elegance.
• Wengen – Features the famed Lauberhorn ski races and the Schilthorn cable car.
• Zurich (ZRH) – Displays the Bahnhofstrasse, the Grossmünster Cathedral, and the Guardian Angel sculpture.
• Basel (BSL) – Honors Art Basel, the Tinguely Fountain, and Rhine ferries.

The design also includes national icons like Wilhelm Tell’s apple shot, Helvetia, and the beloved alpine marmot — each reinforcing SWISS’s cultural message.

Photo: SWISS

Pre-Delivery Tests and Public Engagement

The aircraft will remain at the Airbus site in Toulouse for a final series of ground checks, engine tests, and pre-delivery flights. Its official delivery and commercial entry into SWISS’s long-haul fleet is scheduled for late summer 2025.

In parallel, SWISS has launched an interactive online treasure hunt at swiss.com/treasurehunt, allowing users to explore the livery using augmented reality (AR). Participants can search for hidden symbols and cultural elements, with winners receiving a free A350 flight experience in SWISS’s new Business Class cabin.

This initiative required Airbus to create a unique application method combining artistry and aerodynamics. Each motif was calculated for curvature and airframe shape before being sectioned into millimeter-perfect film pieces. Teams manually applied the elements, ensuring durability and balance across the fuselage and engine nacelles.

Airbus has never executed a livery of this scale using film before. This project paves the way for similar applications in the future, opening doors for customized, non-painted liveries without compromising structural or safety standards.

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