• The custom art livery for the airline’s new Boeing 737‑8 aeroplane is an extension of the airline’s Tales of India initiative, connecting people, places, and cultures.

Dubai/India:  Air India Express unveiled ‘The Flying Canvas’, a special art‑wrapped Boeing 737‑8 aeroplane (VT‑BWV), extending the airline’s long‑standing tradition of celebrating India’s cultural heritage through evocative aeroplane liveries.

The Air India Express fleet has served as a flying showcase of the nation’s cultural and artistic legacy, with variable tail art featuring adaptations from Raja Ravi Varma’s paintings to national heritage monuments and representations of classical artforms like Kathakali, Kathak and Bharatnatyam.

The airline’s refreshed brand identity in October 2023 marked the launch of the Tales of India initiative, a series under which every new aircraft tail of its rapidly expanding fleet features a unique artistic design, inspired by indigenous craft, textiles and traditions, such as Kalamkari, Bandhani, Kanjivaram, and Banarasi. The Flying Canvas is the latest extension and most innovative expression of this cultural design philosophy.

At the heart of this creative milestone is internationally recognised multidisciplinary contemporary artist Osheen Siva, known for her distinctive practice that blends heritage, identity and speculative futures. The collaboration is a result of Air India Express’ multi-year partnership with the Kochi-Muziris Biennale, India’s first and largest international exhibition of contemporary art.

Wrapped in an original artwork created by Osheen Siva, whose work reimagines heritage as a living, evolving force, ‘The Flying Canvas’ transforms into the fastest moving cultural installation. The art livery features a Tamil figure carrying memory and heritage into the future, adorned with traditional motifs that symbolise lineage, identity and continuity. As India’s first full‑aircraft contemporary art wrap, this initiative brings a bold new dimension to Air India Express’ long‑standing commitment to celebrating India’s culture across the skies.

Commenting on the concept and campaign, Siddhartha Butalia, Chief Marketing Officer, Air India Express, said, “Art is one of the most powerful universal languages - it transcends borders, cultures, and geographies to connect people in ways few things can. With the Tales of India and its extension to The Flying Canvas project, we are literally taking that idea to the skies, transforming an aircraft into a moving expression of living cultural identity. This initiative reflects how we see travel - not just as a journey between destinations, but as an opportunity to experience, interpret, and connect with culture and communities in meaningful ways. As one of the most culturally engaged airlines globally, we are proud and delighted to create spaces where art, travel, and human connection come together.”

Thomas Varghese, CEO of the Kochi Biennale Foundation, said, "The Kochi-Muziris Biennale has always been a celebration of art transcending boundaries, bringing contemporary practice out of galleries and into the everyday lives of people. Through this association with Air India Express, that vision literally takes flight.

As this aeroplane traverses over 60 destinations, it carries with it the soul of indigenous culture and the vibrancy of contemporary art to people far beyond our shores. It is a proud moment for us to see art soaring to the skies and igniting conversations between people and cultures - a journey that reminds us that art, like flight itself, has the power to connect the world."

During the previous edition of the Biennale, Air India Express unveiled a bespoke tail art on one of its Boeing aircraft. This association laid the foundation for deeper engagement with India’s contemporary art ecosystem and now continues with a full aircraft wrapped in art for the 2025–26 edition.

About Air India Express

Air India Express is A Tata enterprise, operating over 500 daily flights that connect 45 domestic and 17 international destinations across South Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Gulf region. The airline has a fleet of over 100 Boeing 737s and Airbus A320s. As India’s most vibrant and inclusive airline, Air India Express embodies the spirit and confidence of India - warm, expressive, and proudly authentic. Encouraging travellers to ‘Xplore More, Xpress More’, the airline transforms flying into an experience that is personal and memorable.   

With thoughtfully curated touches – from ‘Gourmair’ hot meals, comfortable seats, and refreshed interiors to exclusive loyalty benefits and seamless digital journeys – Air India Express blends smart technology with heartfelt Indian hospitality, helping guests travel their way and feel at home wherever they go.   

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 Air India Express    
PG Prageesh / Harikrishnan / Maanvi  
mediarelations@airindiaexpress.com

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