Were architect Frank Gehry ever to design an aircraft, it probably wouldn’t fly very far, given the crazy angles and a general aversion to symmetry found in his buildings. (Even Gehry’s aircraft-inspired chair would have trouble leaving the ground)
Thankfully, Copa Airlines didn’t seek his inspiration for the shape of their newest Boeing 737, just the paint job.
In a nod to Panama’s new Gehry-designed Biomuseo, Copa has unveiled a brand new Boeing 737-800 (HP-1825CMP) wearing a special livery inspired by the colorful structure.
The new plane was presented last week in Panama City after being delivered from Boeing in mid-September.
Set to open in 2013, Biomuseo (Bio Museum) will be dedicated to Panama’s rich biodiversity. For famed Canadian architect Frank Gehry — whose award-winning designs include the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles and New York’s IAC Building, Biomuseo marks his first project in Latin America. Copa is the museum’s official airline partner.
“This aircraft will not only allow to share how proud Panamanians are of the rich natural history of our country, but it will also serve as an invitation to the world traveler to visit Panama, an ideal and privileged center for the exploration, knowledge and protection of biodiversity” said Copa CEO Pedro Heilbron.
Expect to see it on any route where Copa flies 737-800s, including JFK, where Jason Rabinowitz spotted it arriving on Monday.
Model of the Biomuseo. (Photo by Michael Sean Gallagher via Flickr, CC-BY-SA)
