Etihad Airways is now flying a Boeing 787-10 in the colours of McLaren Racing. The aircraft, registered A6-BMI, was unveiled on Monday 9 November at Etihad Engineering in Abu Dhabi12. Etihad says it is the first time a Formula 1 team's branding has appeared on a wide-body passenger aircraft3. The launch comes with a limited-edition loungewear range for passengers in the premium cabins4.

Papaya orange with an Etihad tail

The fuselage is painted in McLaren's papaya orange, with a dark mask around the cockpit windows. Etihad's geometric tail design was kept12. At the unveiling a single large curtain dropped from the aircraft, a so-called kabuki reveal, which Guinness World Records verified as the largest single-piece kabuki reveal3. Etihad chief executive Antonoaldo Neves said the design was chosen from 15 options he went through with McLaren Racing chief executive Zak Brown5.

Guests included Etihad Aviation Group chairman Mohamed Ali Al Shorafa Al Hammadi, Neves, Brown and former Formula 1 driver Mika Häkkinen23. "This aircraft will proudly carry that story from our home in Abu Dhabi to cities around the world", Neves said4. Brown said: "We look forward to seeing our trademark papaya up in the sky."3

First flight to Madrid

The first scheduled service in the new colours was EY103 from Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi to Madrid on Tuesday 10 November, departing at 14:15 local time12. A return trip between Abu Dhabi and Jakarta was due to follow2. Etihad names Dublin, Milan, Vienna, Bali, Bangkok and Delhi among the destinations where the aircraft will be seen35.

Passengers on the first flight received cards and cookies carrying the Etihad and McLaren logos. In Business Class they also got caps and cards signed by McLaren drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri4.

Loungewear for Business, First and The Residence

Etihad also introduced limited-edition McLaren Racing loungewear. Business Class passengers receive a crew-neck set, while guests in First and The Residence receive a zip-neck version. Both carry Etihad and McLaren Racing branding with details in papaya orange4. The sets come in sizes small to extra large. Passengers can keep them after the flight4.

Until 18 November the sets are handed out only on board this 787. After that the range moves to the rest of the long-haul fleet on longer flights, until after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in December4.

A partner of McLaren since this season

Etihad is an Official Partner of the McLaren Mastercard Formula 1 Team and the McLaren United Autosports Hypercar team in the World Endurance Championship. McLaren announced the deal on 26 February, for the 2026 season and beyond6. Etihad's name is on the rear wing and halo of the MCL40 and on the drivers' helmets6. The announcement already said a Boeing 787 carrying the McLaren brand would follow later in the year6.

Etihad has been title sponsor of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix since 20096. This year's season finale runs from 3 to 6 December25. Etihad aircraft have carried the colours of other sports partners before. In 2024 an Airbus A320neo was painted yellow and blue for Indian Premier League cricket team Chennai Super Kings. Special liveries have also been used for Manchester City and for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix itself1. Pilot careers at the airline are covered on our Etihad airline page.