Taiwanese airline STARLUX Airlines announced an unprecedented project in the commercial aviation sector by revealing that two of its Airbus A350-1000 will receive special paintings inspired by the “liquid metal” aesthetic.
Named after AIRSORAYAMAthe initiative was developed in collaboration with renowned Japanese artist Hajime Sorayama and marks the first time his signature style has been applied in full to a commercial aircraft.
Each plane will become a mobile art installation over 70 meters long. The A350-1000 with registration B-58554 will receive the AIRSORAYAMA Gold paintwork, while the B-58553 will be decorated with the AIRSORAYAMA Silver version, both with a gold and silver mirror finish. According to STARLUX, the two jets were designed as a visual “dialogue” in the sky, functioning as complementary flying sculptures.
The project goes beyond exterior painting. The AIRSORAYAMA aesthetic will also be incorporated into the company’s visual identity, in-flight service elements, safety videos and an exclusive merchandising line, reinforcing the proposal to transform the plane into a complete artistic object, and not just a promotional platform.
To make the metallic coating viable, STARLUX worked together with Airbus and the company MANKIEWICZ in the development and certification of a special paint compatible with the A350’s carbon fiber fuselage. The material meets strict requirements for protection against electrical discharges and electromagnetic interference, including protection against lightning.
The entry into service of the two Airbus A350-1000 with AIRSORAYAMA liveries is scheduled for the third quarter of 2026. The initiative is part of a rare but remarkable tradition of artistic paintings in aviation, in which the fuselage is now treated as an independent work of art. In the case of STARLUX, the project signals a broader strategy of rethinking the image of the modern long-haul aircraft, combining technology, design and contemporary culture.
Recognized worldwide, Hajime Sorayama is famous for its hyper-realistic depictions of robots and mechanical creatures with a shiny “liquid metal” finish. Its influence extends to industrial design, fashion and cinema, including visual references in productions such as Rogue One: A Star Wars Storyas well as iconic collaborations with global brands such as Sony and Dior.
Source and images: STARLUX Airlines | X @starluxjapan, This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
