Etihad Airways has unveiled a Boeing 787 Dreamliner featuring McLaren Racing’s distinctive papaya livery. This marks the first instance of a Formula 1 team’s branding being applied to a wide-body commercial aircraft.
The aircraft, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, showcases McLaren’s signature orange colour and a cockpit mask design, integrated with Etihad’s tail livery. The unveiling occurred on Monday, November 9, 2026, at the Etihad Engineering facility in Abu Dhabi.
The event also secured a Guinness World Record for the largest single-piece kabuki reveal. A kabuki reveal is a theatrical curtain drop effect used for dramatic unveilings.
Etihad Airways became an Official Partner of McLaren Racing in February 2026. This multi-year agreement encompasses both the McLaren Mastercard Formula 1 Team and the McLaren United Autosports WEC Hypercar Team.
Etihad’s branding is visible on the MCL40 Formula 1 car’s rear wing and halo. It also features on the helmets of McLaren drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri.
The McLaren-branded Dreamliner commenced its operations with a maiden flight to Madrid on Tuesday, November 10, 2026. It will subsequently fly on Etihad’s regular routes, including Dublin, Milan, Vienna, Bali, Bangkok, and Delhi.
Etihad’s extensive network connects Abu Dhabi with over 100 destinations. This includes major Formula 1 host nations such as Australia, China, Japan, the UK, Spain, Italy, and the United States.
McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown stated the livery brings together two global brands. He noted it will connect McLaren Racing and Etihad with fans and customers worldwide.
“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.”
Etihad Airways CEO Antonoaldo Neves highlighted the shared focus on performance between the two entities. He added that Formula 1 connects people and creates excitement across borders.
Mohamed Ali Al Shorafa Al Hammadi, Chairman of Etihad Aviation Group, drew parallels between Formula 1 and aviation. He emphasized that both industries rely on relentless preparation, trust, and continuous improvement.
The unveiling event was attended by Al Shorafa, Neves, Brown, and retired F1 driver Mika Hakkinen. The partnership also provides extensive digital and experiential rights.
In recent Formula 1 activity, Lando Norris secured his third victory of the 2026 season at the São Paulo Grand Prix on Sunday, November 8, 2026. Norris converted pole position into a win at Interlagos.
McLaren introduced upgrades for the São Paulo Grand Prix, including a new front wing design. Norris indicated these modifications ‘seemed to gain performance’ for the MCL40 car.
The MCL40 has been characterized as a challenging car to drive, despite demonstrating strong speed at various points in the season. Mercedes secured the Constructors’ Championship at the São Paulo event.
Etihad’s long-standing involvement in motorsport includes its role as title sponsor of the Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix since 2009. The 2026 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, the season finale, is scheduled for December 3-6 at Yas Marina Circuit.
The Etihad Engineering facility, where the aircraft was unveiled, is located adjacent to Abu Dhabi International Airport. It is the largest independent commercial Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility in the Middle East.
The facility spans approximately 545,000 square meters, featuring 66,000 square meters of hangars. It includes 10,000 square meters dedicated to aircraft painting facilities.
