SWISS to fly Freddie Mercury, Helvetia and a marmot all over the world

What do a rock legend, Switzerland personified reclining on a lounger and a cute alpine rodent have in common? They’re all featured in the new special livery that SWISS will be applying to its first Airbus A350 aircraft. The livery, named ‘SWISS Wanderlust’, spotlights the close ties between the airline and its home country and cities. And its striking design elements are more than just images: they’re also a gateway to an interactive viewer experience.

The special livery that Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS) will be applying to its first Airbus A350-900 is a playful, creative and story-packed homage to Switzerland that blends imposing structures with further famous landmarks and motifs of traditional arts and sports events. Each of its illustrations captures a facet of SWISS’s home country to tell the story of its places, its people and their culture. And its ‘Wanderlust’ name communicates our yearning to travel, discover and explore the wider world.

Our new A350 Livery ‘SWISS Wanderlust’

The first-ever flying art gallery

The individual behind the special ‘SWISS Wanderlust’ livery is Swiss artist Frédéric Siegel, who is well known for his unique illustrations and animations. With his creative presentations of the various motifs featured, Siegel has transformed SWISS’s first Airbus A350-900 into the world’s first-ever flying art gallery. On the aircraft’s fuselage and engine nacelles will be depicted both the traditional and the modern, all presented with creative flair and a light-hearted wink. The motifs were also inspired by the work of the author Ina Haller from Aarau. She wrote a short story depicting a journey through Switzerland, reflecting the connection between past and present in a unique way.

SWISS's Airbus A350-900 becomes the world’s first flying art gallery, featuring Frédéric Siegel’s unique blend of traditional and modern designs.
SWISS's Airbus A350-900 becomes the world’s first flying art gallery, featuring Frédéric Siegel’s unique blend of traditional and modern designs.
The special livery combines creative illustrations of Switzerland and reflects the longing for travel and discovery embodied in the term ‘SWISS Wanderlust’.
The special livery combines creative illustrations of Switzerland and reflects the longing for travel and discovery embodied in the term ‘SWISS Wanderlust’.

A homage to Switzerland

“This special livery is our flying declaration of our love for Switzerland,” says SWISS Chief Commercial Officer Heike Birlenbach. “It’s a confirmation of how close we feel to our home country; and it’s an invitation to everyone to discover and explore it in all its uniqueness in a playful and creative way. We’re proud to present Switzerland in all its diversity all over the world in such a special way.”

SWISS's special livery is a flying tribute to Switzerland, celebrating its diversity and inviting the world to explore its uniqueness.
SWISS's special livery is a flying tribute to Switzerland, celebrating its diversity and inviting the world to explore its uniqueness.

A livery to discover – with prizes, too

The special livery’s design elements are more than just images: they’re a gateway to the fascinating interactive experience ‘SWISS Treasure Hunt’. All the illustrations which will be carried on the aircraft can be explored using augmented reality (AR) at swiss.com/treasurehunt. Users of this feature can discover hidden details, solve intriguing puzzles and – with a little luck – win the top prize of a round-trip Business Class flight for two aboard the new SWISS Airbus A350.

New aircraft, new era

When it receives its first Airbus A350-900, SWISS will be taking off into a new era of even greater efficiency and even more sustainability. The airline will take delivery of ten of these advanced and fuel-efficient long-haul twinjets over the next few years. The first aircraft, sporting the special ‘SWISS Wanderlust’ livery, should enter service in late summer of this year – with Freddie, Helvetia and the marmot on board.  

With the arrival of its first Airbus A350-900, SWISS ushers in a new era of efficiency and sustainability, featuring the special ‘SWISS Wanderlust’ livery.
With the arrival of its first Airbus A350-900, SWISS ushers in a new era of efficiency and sustainability, featuring the special ‘SWISS Wanderlust’ livery.

The motifs featured in the special ‘SWISS Wanderlust’ livery 

Basel plays host to the annual Art Basel show, one of the world’s most prestigious art fairs that is a landmark event on the contemporary art scene. The special livery’s Basel item features the Messe Basel exhibition buildings along with the city’s Tinguely Fountain and its Rhine River ferry.
Basel plays host to the annual Art Basel show, one of the world’s most prestigious art fairs that is a landmark event on the contemporary art scene. The special livery’s Basel item features the Messe Basel exhibition buildings along with the city’s Tinguely Fountain and its Rhine River ferry.
Bern, Switzerland’s charming capital, boasts a beautifully preserved Old Town that is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Its iconic arcades extend over six kilometers to provide one of Europe’s longest covered shopping experiences. The special livery’s Bern item features the Federal Parliament Building, the city’s famous bears and the local ‘Böötle’ tradition on its Aare River.
Bern, Switzerland’s charming capital, boasts a beautifully preserved Old Town that is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Its iconic arcades extend over six kilometers to provide one of Europe’s longest covered shopping experiences. The special livery’s Bern item features the Federal Parliament Building, the city’s famous bears and the local ‘Böötle’ tradition on its Aare River.
Geneva is the seat of various global organizations including the United Nations, while its Jet d’Eau fountain is a firm fixture in the panorama offered from the city of adjacent Lake Geneva. Both these iconic landmarks are featured in the special livery’s Geneva display.
Geneva is the seat of various global organizations including the United Nations, while its Jet d’Eau fountain is a firm fixture in the panorama offered from the city of adjacent Lake Geneva. Both these iconic landmarks are featured in the special livery’s Geneva display.
The Locarno Film Festival, with its coveted Golden Leopard best-film award, has been held since 1946. The leopard features prominently in the A350 special livery’s Locarno display, leaping from the screen which is erected for the festival in the city’s Piazza Grande.
The Locarno Film Festival, with its coveted Golden Leopard best-film award, has been held since 1946. The leopard features prominently in the A350 special livery’s Locarno display, leaping from the screen which is erected for the festival in the city’s Piazza Grande.
Lucerne, in the heart of Switzerland, is home to Europe’s longest covered wooden bridge, the iconic Chapel Bridge. This famed city landmark is featured prominently in the special livery’s Lucerne display, along with the aerial cable car Weggis - Rigi Kaltbad, the Swiss Transport Museum, and a paddle steamer on adjacent Lake Lucerne.
Lucerne, in the heart of Switzerland, is home to Europe’s longest covered wooden bridge, the iconic Chapel Bridge. This famed city landmark is featured prominently in the special livery’s Lucerne display, along with the aerial cable car Weggis - Rigi Kaltbad, the Swiss Transport Museum, and a paddle steamer on adjacent Lake Lucerne.
Montreux, often called the Pearl of the Swiss Riviera, is home to the famous statue of Freddie Mercury, the legendary rock star who found such inspiration here. The statue features in the special livery’s Montreux item, together with the impressive Chillon Castle and the world-renowned Montreux Jazz Festival.
Montreux, often called the Pearl of the Swiss Riviera, is home to the famous statue of Freddie Mercury, the legendary rock star who found such inspiration here. The statue features in the special livery’s Montreux item, together with the impressive Chillon Castle and the world-renowned Montreux Jazz Festival.
St. Moritz, the Engadine resort steeped in tourist tradition, blends luxury charm with a venerable history as a pioneer of winter tourism. The spectacular horse racing on frozen Lake St. Moritz is a particular local highlight. And the event is deftly captured in the special livery’s St. Moritz feature.
St. Moritz, the Engadine resort steeped in tourist tradition, blends luxury charm with a venerable history as a pioneer of winter tourism. The spectacular horse racing on frozen Lake St. Moritz is a particular local highlight. And the event is deftly captured in the special livery’s St. Moritz feature.
Wengen is the venue for the legendary Lauberhorn races, a genuine highlight of the World Cup skiing calendar. Every year the world’s best skiers gather in the alpine resort to compete on the longest downhill course in the World Cup season. The event forms the centerpiece of the special livery’s Wengen feature, accompanied by the Schilthorn cable car and the nearby Lauterbrunnen Valley.
Wengen is the venue for the legendary Lauberhorn races, a genuine highlight of the World Cup skiing calendar. Every year the world’s best skiers gather in the alpine resort to compete on the longest downhill course in the World Cup season. The event forms the centerpiece of the special livery’s Wengen feature, accompanied by the Schilthorn cable car and the nearby Lauterbrunnen Valley.
Zurich, Switzerland’s vibrant financial and cultural hub, is home to the famous Bahnhofstrasse, one of the world’s most exclusive shopping streets. The city further offers a wide range of arts attractions and nightlife options, all of which underline its cosmopolitan vibe. Alongside the iconic Prime Tower, the special livery’s Zurich item features the city’s Grossmünster cathedral and its striking Guardian Angel statue by Niki de Saint Phalle.
Zurich, Switzerland’s vibrant financial and cultural hub, is home to the famous Bahnhofstrasse, one of the world’s most exclusive shopping streets. The city further offers a wide range of arts attractions and nightlife options, all of which underline its cosmopolitan vibe. Alongside the iconic Prime Tower, the special livery’s Zurich item features the city’s Grossmünster cathedral and its striking Guardian Angel statue by Niki de Saint Phalle.

The further illustrations featured in the first SWISS Airbus A350’s special ‘SWISS Wanderlust’ livery include:

  • a marmot, a much-loved emblem of the alpine world;
  • the apple shot through by Wilhelm Tell, the legendary Swiss folk hero;
  • Helvetia, the personification of Switzerland (complete with sunglasses and lounger!);
  • a treasure chest representing the online Swiss-wide treasure hunt that is a further feature of the special livery concept, which forms part of the online prize competition.