It was recently announced Alaska Airlines has elected to repaint the beloved flying fish dubbed “Salmon-Thirty-Salmon II,” a Boeing 737-800 that is quite literally painted like a salmon.  In 2016, Alaska adopted a new corporate identity which included a spectacular new livery (aka the paint of the plane).  Unfortunately, this lead to amazing special schemes getting painted over into either less-exciting designs or being forgotten altogether to fly under the standard colors.  Such liveries included several Disney-themed planes adorned with Mickey’s gang of pals, a 75th anniversary retro plane, a Boeing-Alaska themed jet celebrating the partnership between the manufacturer and airline, etc.  Now it appears it is time for Alaska to paint over our beloved Salmon-Thirty-Salmon II.  Airplanes are expected to be repainted every 5-7 years for both safety and efficiency concerns (time can be extended based on type of paint used).  We all knew the day would come to repaint this jet that would additionally include the new logo, but we never thought it would mean the end of Salmon-Thirty-Salmon II. 

 

 

 

The term Salmon-Thirty-Salmon came to fruition when a Boeing 737 was departing from Juneau, Alaska one crisp day when the pilots noticed a bird.  Bird sightings or even strikes aren’t that uncommon, but the pilots eventually recognized this bird as posing little risk of a strike and to be a fairly large Bald Eagle.  That was when they noticed an object they would eventually strike: a falling salmon.  The eagle had noticed the jet screaming towards it and dropped its lunch from its talons and the salmon was now airborne.  The fish clanked against the side of the jet causing minimal damage if any, and the pilots came back for a safe landing.  After a brief inspection and a thumbs-up from maintenance staff, the pilots were back in their jet and on their way.  Not before cleaning the scales off their airplane though!  So, when Alaska Airlines—already known for their colorful special liveries—wanted to paint a jet celebrating their partnership with Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute (which promotes wild, natural and sustainable Alaska seafood) the airline contacted Mark Boyle.  The airline commissioned Boyle—a Seattle-based wildlife artist—to design custom liveries before, including one made to look like Genie from the Disney film Aladdin.  Boyle created the original Salmon-Thirty-Salmon for a slightly smaller and older jet, the Boeing 737-400 in 2005.  When that jet was painted into the standard Alaska-livery in 2011, Alaska reconnected with Boyle for Salmon-Thirty-Salmon II, adorned onto a 2012-built Boeing 737-800.  The jet has been gracing the skies and bringing smiles (not to mention “ooo’s” and “ah’s” from travelers) ever since.  

 

 

Let’s do our best to convince Alaska Airlines how much this livery means to us, the traveling public, and anyone who enjoys the taste of salmon!  This wonderful jet is due to head to the paint-shop April 18th (last flight April 17th).  Let’s make our voices heard so we see a Salmon-Thirty-Salmon III!!

 

Photos:

 

Jake Welty, @avgeekjake

Brandon Farris Photography, @BDFphotography

Alaska Airlines