Abu Dhabi, UAE, 10 November 2026 – Etihad Airways has introduced a special Boeing 787 Dreamliner featuring the branding of McLaren Racing, creating a new connection between commercial aviation and Formula 1. The aircraft is one of Etihad’s flagship wide-body aircraft and will operate across the airline’s international route network.
The Boeing 787 Dreamliner, registered as A6-BMI, is a modern long-haul aircraft developed by the American manufacturer Boeing. It is known for its advanced technology, fuel efficiency, and passenger comfort. The aircraft uses lightweight composite materials in its structure, which help to reduce its overall weight and fuel consumption compared with older aircraft of a similar size. It also features modern engines, improved aerodynamics, and a pressurized cabin designed to make long-distance journeys more comfortable. Large windows, improved cabin humidity, and lower cabin altitude are among the features that contribute to a more comfortable passenger experience.
The Boeing 787 plays an important role in connecting Abu Dhabi with destinations across Europe, Asia, and other international routes. The aircraft is therefore a suitable platform for presenting the airline’s partnership with McLaren to a global audience.
Rather than being used exclusively for promotional events, the special aircraft will remain part of Etihad’s regular flight operations, allowing passengers and aviation enthusiasts around the world to see the new design.
McLaren’s Papaya Colours Take to the Sky
The most visible feature of the aircraft is its new livery, which combines Etihad’s corporate identity with McLaren Racing’s famous papaya color. The bright orange color has been an important part of McLaren’s visual identity for many years and is closely associated with the team’s history in motorsport.
It gives the aircraft a very different appearance from Etihad’s standard fleet design. The special livery incorporates McLaren branding and elements of its characteristic color scheme across the aircraft’s fuselage while retaining Etihad’s distinctive tail design.
Another interesting detail is the design around the cockpit windows, which creates an appearance similar to the visual style of a Formula 1 racing car. This makes the aircraft recognizable as a McLaren-branded aircraft even from a distance.
The design is more than just a marketing exercise. It represents the connection between two industries that depend heavily on technology, precision, and performance. Both aviation and Formula 1 require highly specialized engineering, careful planning, and teamwork to achieve the best possible results. The aircraft was officially unveiled on 10 November 2026 at Etihad Engineering’s facility in Abu Dhabi.
The presentation also achieved a Guinness World Records title for the largest single-piece kabuki reveal, a theatrical technique in which a large curtain is dropped to reveal an object.
Following its presentation, the aircraft is scheduled to fly on Etihad’s international routes, connecting Abu Dhabi with destinations such as Madrid, Dublin, Milan, Vienna, Bali, Bangkok, and Delhi. Its first flight in the new colors is to Madrid. This means that the McLaren identity will not only be visible at Formula 1 circuits but also at international airports around the world.
Etihad Airways and McLaren Racing
The new aircraft livery is part of a partnership between Etihad Airways and McLaren Racing, which was officially announced on 26 February 2026. Under the agreement, Etihad became an Official Partner of the McLaren Mastercard Formula 1 Team and the McLaren United Autosports Hypercar Team for the 2026 season and beyond.
The cooperation brings together two international brands that share similar values, particularly innovation, ambition, technology, and high performance. For Etihad, the partnership offers an opportunity to increase its international visibility and connect its brand with one of the world’s most popular motorsport series.
Formula 1 attracts millions of fans worldwide and provides companies with a global platform to reach new audiences. At the same time, McLaren benefits from working with an international airline that can support its travel requirements throughout the racing calendar.
With a network covering more than 100 destinations, Etihad connects the team with important Formula 1 locations, including Australia, China, Japan, the United Kingdom, Spain, Italy, and the United States. The cooperation is also visible directly on the racetrack. Etihad branding appears on the McLaren MCL40, including its rear wing and halo, as well as on the helmets of the team’s drivers. The specially designed Boeing 787 is another important element of the agreement because it brings the partnership beyond the race circuit and into everyday international air travel.
The airline has been the title sponsor of the Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix since 2009. The race takes place at the Yas Marina Circuit and has become an important event for both Abu Dhabi and the international motorsport calendar.
By combining its existing involvement in the sport with the new cooperation with McLaren, Etihad is further strengthening its position within Formula 1. The new aircraft is therefore an important symbol of this relationship. It demonstrates how two industries with different areas of expertise can work together through shared interests in engineering, innovation, and international connectivity.
