Icelandair’s Glacial Boeing 757: A Beautiful Tribute to Iceland’s Natural Beauty
The aviation industry never fails to impress with its diverse range of initiatives, from using a Boeing 747 painted in a tiger livery to promote tiger conservation, to sinking a Boeing 747 into the Arabian Sea to create a new ecosystem for aquatic life. One particularly exceptional example is Icelandair’s Boeing 757, which has been transformed into a stunning replica of Iceland’s largest glacier, Vatnajökull. With a surface area of approximately 8,100 square kilometers, this breathtaking glacier is home to active volcanoes and numerous outlets, making it a popular destination for tourists who seek adventure and exploration. Visitors can take part in glacier hikes, explore ice caves, or embark on snowmobile tours, creating an unforgettable experience that combines natural beauty and thrilling activities. It’s inspiring to see how the aviation industry is not only contributing to the global economy but also taking proactive steps to promote environmental conservation and offer unique experiences to travelers from around the world.
The Boeing 757 transformed into an awe-inspiring replica of Iceland’s largest glacier is a true masterpiece and a unique addition to Icelandair’s transatlantic fleet. In 2015, Icelandair introduced another one-of-a-kind aircraft to its fleet, the Hekla Aurora, which was inspired by the mesmerizing northern lights and part of the airline’s #MyStopover campaign. This initiative encourages passengers to take some time to explore Iceland during their layovers and discover its unique beauty and culture.
Interestingly, all of Icelandair’s aircraft are named after Icelandic volcanoes, paying tribute to the country’s geological wonders. Iceland sits on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, a divergent tectonic plate boundary that runs through the center of the country, resulting in more than 30 active volcanic systems and around 130 volcanic mountains. This geological activity, combined with Iceland’s location in the North Atlantic, makes it one of the most volcanically active places on Earth. Some of the most famous Icelandic volcanoes include Eyjafjallajökull, Katla, Hekla, and Bárðarbunga, each with its unique character and history. With such a unique fleet, Icelandair offers travelers a truly unforgettable experience, blending natural wonders with world-class service.
The interior of the Icelandair Boeing 757 is as stunning as its glacier-themed exterior. The cabin’s design is reminiscent of an ice cave, complete with electric-blue LED lighting that creates a mesmerizing atmosphere. The headrests feature a pristine ice white and turquoise design, while the drinks trolley resembles a mini ice-cave. Even the cups, napkins, and other amenities are adorned with glacier prints, immersing passengers in a complete “icy-cave-like” experience of Vatnajökull. Adding to the ambiance, a “glacier soundtrack” is played throughout the flight, enhancing the overall experience.
The glacier-themed livery was commissioned as part of Icelandair’s 80th-anniversary celebrations. As Iceland’s flag carrier airline, it was founded in 1937, with a single floatplane, serving the air transportation needs of rural communities in Iceland. By the 1940s, Icelandair began offering international flights to Europe and North America, becoming a major player in the transatlantic air travel market by the 1950s. The airline continued to expand its route network in the 1960s and 1970s, adding new destinations in Europe and North America.
In the 1980s, Icelandair introduced a frequent flyer program and became the first airline to offer free stopovers in Iceland on transatlantic flights, pioneering the concept of “stopover tourism.” Today, Icelandair continues to innovate and offer unique experiences to its passengers, ensuring that flying with Iceland’s flag carrier is always an adventure.
In the 1990s, Icelandair faced financial difficulties, and the company underwent significant restructuring. However, in the early 2000s, Icelandair experienced a resurgence, with a focus on expanding its route network to destinations in Asia and the Pacific.
This beautiful flying art was made alive by a company based out of Germany, ASAP Aviation, who took details as intricately as possible, and recreated the images from the glacier within 10 days. Not only does the Vatnajökull plane allows for a unique experience for the passengers travelling to Iceland, but also signifies the importance of climate change in the world as it flies across the Atlantic Ocean every day.
History of the Aircraft
The Boeing 757 is a narrow-body, medium-range twin-engine airliner that was developed by Boeing in the late 1970s. It was designed to be a replacement for the Boeing 727, which was becoming outdated, and to compete with the Airbus A320. The first flight of the 757 took place in February 1982, and the aircraft entered commercial service with Eastern Air Lines in January 1983. The 757 was popular with airlines because of its versatility and efficiency, and it was used for both short- and medium-haul flights.
Over the years, Boeing produced several variants of the 757, including the 757–200, the 757–200PF (Package Freighter), the 757–300, and the 757–300PF. The 757–200 was the most popular model, with over 1,000 units produced.
According to Airfleets.net, this Boeing 757 with registeration EC-608(Later EC-FYJ) was intially delivered to Iberia airlines in 1994, the flag carrier of Spain. After 8 years, in 2002, the aircraft was delivered to Icelandair as TF-FIR, and has been in the fleet ever since then.
In the past decade, Icelandair has continued to innovate and adapt to changing market conditions. The airline has implemented new technologies and services to enhance the passenger experience, such as offering in-flight entertainment systems and expanding its online booking capabilities. In addition, Icelandair has been recognized for its commitment to sustainability, implementing various initiatives to reduce its environmental impact, including investing in fuel-efficient aircraft and carbon offsetting programs.
As Icelandair looks to the future, the airline remains committed to providing exceptional service to its passengers while also being a responsible corporate citizen. With its iconic Vatnajökull plane and innovative approach to air travel, Icelandair is poised to continue to be a leading player in the aviation industry for years to come.
