Etihad Airways has unveiled a specially designed Boeing 787 Dreamliner featuring McLaren Racing's distinctive papaya branding, marking the first time a Formula 1 team has been featured on a wide-body commercial aircraft.
The new livery
celebrates the partnership between the UAE's national airline and McLaren
Racing, bringing together two globally recognised brands through a design that
will travel across Etihad's international network.
The aircraft was
unveiled at a record-breaking event at Etihad Engineering's facility in Abu
Dhabi, featuring the largest single-piece kabuki reveal, independently verified
by Guinness World Records.
The specially branded
Dreamliner will connect Abu Dhabi with destinations across Europe, Asia and
beyond, including Dublin, Milan, Vienna, Bali, Bangkok and Delhi, bringing the
partnership's visibility to international travellers and motorsport fans.
Antonoaldo Neves,
Etihad Airways Chief Executive Officer, said: “Etihad and McLaren Racing are
two ambitious global brands with a shared focus on performance and a drive to
keep moving forward. This aircraft will proudly carry that story from our home
in Abu Dhabi to cities around the world, bringing our partnership closer to
fans wherever it flies and sharing the excitement of Formula 1 with people
across our expanding global network.
“Formula 1 has a
remarkable ability to connect people and create excitement across borders, and
together with McLaren we have an opportunity to bring fans even closer to the
action and create memorable moments for them around the world. I look forward
to seeing the aircraft in the skies.”
Zak Brown, CEO of
McLaren Racing, said: “It's fantastic to see our partnership with Etihad
Airways brought to life in such a unique way. The aircraft livery brings
together two iconic global brands and will connect McLaren Racing and Etihad
with fans and customers around the world. We look forward to seeing our
trademark papaya up in the sky.”
Expanding the
Etihad-McLaren Partnership
The aircraft livery
represents the latest development in the partnership announced earlier in 2026.
Etihad is an Official Partner of the McLaren Mastercard Formula 1 Team and the
McLaren Hypercar Team for the 2026 season and beyond.
The collaboration
reflects shared priorities across aviation and motorsport, particularly in
technology, teamwork, innovation and high-performance operations.
Etihad's international
network connects Abu Dhabi with several destinations hosting major motorsport
events, including Australia, China, Japan, Singapore, the United Kingdom,
Spain, Italy and the United States.
Beyond the aircraft,
Etihad's branding is also featured prominently on McLaren's Formula 1 race
cars, including the MCL40's rear wing and halo, as well as on the helmets of
McLaren Mastercard F1 Team drivers.
Continued
Commitment to Formula 1
Abu Dhabi is set to
host the Formula 1 season finale this December, further reinforcing the
emirate's position as an international motorsport destination.
Through the specially branded Dreamliner and its wider collaboration with McLaren, Etihad aims to extend its connection with Formula 1 audiences worldwide while showcasing Abu Dhabi across its expanding global network. -TradeArabia News Service