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 of Raja Ravi Varma’s paintings, national heritage monuments, and representations of classical art forms 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 Osheen Siva, an internationally recognised multidisciplinary contemporary artist. Siva is known for her distinctive practice that blends heritage, identity, and speculative futures. The collaboration results from Air India Express’ multi-year partnership with the Kochi-Muziris Biennale. This Biennale is 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 Tales of India and its extension, 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 the aircraft travels to over 60 destinations, it shares indigenous culture and contemporary art with diverse audiences. It is a proud moment to see art in flight, sparking cross-cultural conversations and reminding us that both art and travel unite people worldwide.”

During the previous 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.