“STARLUX Collaborates with Innovative Artist for A350 Liquid Metal Designs”
STARLUX Airlines has partnered with the renowned Japanese artist Hajime Sorayama for the livery design of two upcoming Airbus A350-1000 aircraft. This collaboration, titled AIRSORAYAMA, showcases Sorayama’s unique artistic touch, transforming these planes into remarkable flying artworks.
The designs were officially revealed on January 27, 2026, during a launch event held at Omotesando Hills in Tokyo. STARLUX announced that the AIRSORAYAMA jets are set to begin operations in the third quarter of 2026 after three years of development.
STARLUX described Sorayama’s design as a “liquid metal livery,” aiming to convey a sense of warmth and beauty in the aviation experience. “Sorayama-sensei’s creations embody futurism and breathe emotion into the metal,” remarked STARLUX Chairman K.W. Chang. He emphasized the collaboration as a means to create unprecedented flying masterpieces that resonate with emotions.
The airline commissioned these designs after discovering Sorayama’s ambition to craft the world’s largest artwork. They believed his artistic exploration of metal and emotion perfectly aligned with STARLUX’s brand ethos. Sorayama shared his excitement about the partnership, highlighting a shared vision for pushing boundaries and distinguishing themselves from the crowd.
Creating the Airbus A350-1000 as a canvas was a lifelong dream for Sorayama. He expressed his hope that this distinctive ‘flying masterpiece’ would inspire people worldwide. In addition to the gold and silver liveries, Sorayama also designed the “STARLUX AIRSORAYAMA” logo.
To achieve the sought-after cool, liquid-metal effect, STARLUX worked closely with Airbus and coatings expert Mankiewicz. Each aircraft features Sorayama’s iconic metallic finishes, enhanced by underbelly linework inspired by his signature ‘Mechanical Shark’ motif. This design gives the planes a striking visual presence as they soar through the skies.
The two planes are named STARLUX AIRSORAYAMA Silver (B-58553) and STARLUX AIRSORAYAMA Gold (B-58554). This collaboration will extend to onboard services, a unique safety video, and exclusive merchandise.
On a related note, the first of 18 Airbus A350-1000 jets arrived at Taipei Taoyuan International Airport (TPE) in Taiwan on January 6, 2026.
Have you heard about the AIRSORAYAMA collaboration? What are your thoughts on these artistic airplanes?
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