From Ink to Altitude: Corendon Parades the World’s First Fully Tattooed Aircraft

Art meets aviation in a bold celebration of travel, freedom, and 25 years of sky-high adventure.

In a spectacular fusion of art and aviation, Corendon Dutch Airlines has unveiled the world’s first fully tattooed aircraft, turning heads—and jet engines—as part of its 25th anniversary celebration. The airline partnered with iconic Dutch tattoo artist Henk Schiffmacher, whose ink has graced the skin of legends like Lady Gaga and Kurt Cobain, to transform a Boeing 737 into a flying canvas of creativity.

The aircraft, affectionately named Sweet Louise after Schiffmacher’s wife, features an expansive tattoo design stretching across 200 square meters of fuselage. The artwork, steeped in classic nautical motifs and traditional tattoo artistry, is more than decorative—it's a soaring tribute to the spirit of travel.

Corendon’s anniversary aircraft features a full-body tattoo design by legendary Dutch tattoo artist Henk Schiffmacher. Covering nearly 200 square meters, it is the world’s first fully tattooed plane. The tattoo on the engine represents a pirate, the eternal wanderer of the seas, transformed for Corendon into a heart-shaped symbol, expressing a love for travel, freedom, and discovery. The design turns the aircraft into a flying work of art for Corendon’s 25th anniversary.

A Pirate’s Heart in the Sky

At the heart of the design—literally—is a pirate tattoo on the engine, symbolizing the eternal wanderer of the seas. Schiffmacher reimagined the motif into a heart-shaped emblem, representing love for freedom, exploration, and human connection.

“The design is a tribute to the traveler,” says Schiffmacher. “It reflects my own years of roaming the globe, meeting people from all walks of life. Tattoos tell stories—and this one will now fly across the skies.”

A Vision Takes Flight

The idea for the tattooed plane was born from a conversation between Corendon CEO Gunay Uslu and Schiffmacher, who once mused about tattooing an entire aircraft. Instead of brushing it off as fantasy, Uslu saw an opportunity to do something bold, unconventional, and unforgettable.

“This isn’t just eye-catching,” Uslu explains. “It’s a symbol of who we are—an airline with an adventurous spirit, always ready to go off the beaten track. Travel and art both have the power to tell stories and connect people in extraordinary ways.”

(Image to the right: Corendon CEO Gunay Uslu, founder Atilay Uslu, and tattoo legend Henk Schiffmacher unveil the world’s first fully tattooed aircraft. Designed by Schiffmacher for Corendon’s 25th anniversary, the artwork spans 200 m², turning the plane into a flying tribute to travel, freedom, and discovery.)

 Tattoos, Turbines, and Teamwork

Transforming a commercial aircraft into a work of art wasn't a simple task. The tattoo design had to be meticulously scaled and applied to match the plane’s curves while preserving its artistic detail. A specialized team of aviation and design professionals worked side by side to bring the vision to life—making sure every line, shade, and symbol translated from skin to sky.

Paraded at Schiphol-East, Sweet Louise is now set to operate on Corendon’s most popular holiday routes. Travelers onboard won’t just be heading to their next vacation—they’ll be flying inside a one-of-a-kind masterpiece.

Whether you're an art lover, aviation geek, or just someone who appreciates a good story at 30,000 feet, this is one flight you won't want to miss.

So next time you look up and see a plane streaking across the sky, it might just be Sweet Louise—telling tales of wanderers, dreamers, and the wild-hearted travelers who never stop exploring.