This week, Qatar Airways invited media to JFK for an exclusive preview of its FIFA World Cup 2026™ special livery Boeing 777, an aircraft dressed in a bold gradient from the airline’s signature burgundy to deep cobalt blue.
The trip began at the TWA Hotel before heading airside to Modern Aviation for an up-close look at the aircraft itself. The TWA Hotel is unlike anything else in New York and it was the perfect opportunity for a visit. Designed by Finnish-American architect Eero Saarinen and opened in 1962 as the TWA Flight Center, the building looks like a mid-century science fiction made real but somehow also modern. We walked through the hotel’s red-carpeted tunnels to grab a drink at the Connie airplane lounge while waiting for the special livery to arrive.
We were then shuttled to Modern Aviation, a private terminal at JFK that also charters Blade helicopter service to Manhattan. There, the Qatar Airways FIFA livery plane was parked. Qatar Airways is the Official Airline Partner of the FIFA World Cup 2026™, a partnership that extends well beyond a paint job. The plane is set to carry the spirit of the tournament across key routes in Europe, the United States, and Asia as the world builds toward next summer’s games. For the World Cup season in the US, Qatar is also adding flights into Los Angeles, Boston, Miami, and San Francisco to help accommodate fan travel.
Photo Courtesy: Qatar Airways
From the outside, the Boeing 777-300ER already makes a visual statement. Not only is it a big plane, but it’s also wearing a big moment. The fuselage (main body) opens with Qatar’s signature deep burgundy before melting into a bold cobalt blue toward the tail. The FIFA logo, the World Cup trophy, and the airline’s emblem sit against the gradient. Qatar Airways representatives walked guests up the ramp and into the business class cabin. Inside, headrest covers and cushions also carried the tournament motif.
Photo Courtesy: Qatar Airways
The QSuite cabin does not need much help looking impressive. Its layout, privacy, and polished design already do most of the talking. The FIFA touches gave the QSuite business class cabin a sense of occasion and celebration that a standard long-haul plane doesn’t usually have. It felt specific to a summer where aviation and sports will be moving together. The airline’s flight attendants walked through the special edition amenities in the QSuite. Guests can expect a miniature model of the livery plane, a gold FIFA keychain, FIFA-branded pillow and pajamas, and a Diptyque toiletry set.
Photo Courtesy: The Knockturnal
The FIFA World Cup 2026™ opens June 11 across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, marking the first time the tournament will be hosted across three countries. With 48 national teams, it will also be the largest edition ever staged. For Qatar Airways, the aircraft is both a flying tribute to the tournament and a reminder to enthusiasts worldwide that the road to 2026 has already began.
