JetBlue Unveils Community-Chosen Aircraft Livery Celebrating the Dominican Republic
JetBlue, the largest airline serving the Dominican Republic, has announced the launch of its first-ever special aircraft livery dedicated exclusively to celebrating Dominican culture, heritage, and national pride. The newly unveiled design, created by acclaimed Dominican artist Willy Gómez, was selected through a public voting process and represents a vibrant visual tribute to the country’s identity, creativity, and enduring connection with JetBlue’s history and growth.
The aircraft livery forms the centerpiece of RD Orgullo que Eleva—translated as “DR Pride That Lifts”—a cultural campaign developed by JetBlue in collaboration with Dominican artists. The initiative was designed to spotlight local artistic talent while honoring the Dominican Republic’s influence on the airline’s evolution over more than two decades of service. Through this campaign, JetBlue reinforces its long-standing relationship with the Dominican community both at home and across its international network.
A Community-Driven Celebration of Culture
What sets this livery apart is not only its bold aesthetic but also the community-driven process behind its creation. Rather than commissioning a design internally, JetBlue invited customers, fans, and members of the Dominican diaspora to participate directly by voting on their favorite concept. The public was asked to choose from three original designs created by Dominican artists Willy Gómez, Los Plebeyos, and Lena Tolkens—each offering a unique artistic interpretation of Dominican life and heritage.
Launched in January, the RD Orgullo que Eleva campaign quickly gained traction, drawing enthusiastic engagement from across the Dominican Republic and beyond. Each design explored different dimensions of national identity, incorporating references to folklore, music, daily life, nature, family, and national symbolism. The diversity of styles and perspectives reflected the richness of Dominican culture itself, while allowing the public to decide which vision would ultimately take to the skies.
Following a strong public response, Gómez’s design emerged as the selected favorite, earning the distinction of becoming JetBlue’s first aircraft livery dedicated to the Dominican Republic.
JetBlue’s Deep Roots in the Dominican Republic
JetBlue’s relationship with the Dominican Republic dates back more than 20 years. In 2004, the airline launched service to Santiago, marking its first-ever international destination. Since then, the Dominican Republic has remained a cornerstone of JetBlue’s international operations, with the airline steadily expanding routes, capacity, and customer offerings.
Today, JetBlue is the largest airline serving the Dominican Republic, connecting the country with multiple cities across the United States and the Caribbean. These routes play a vital role in connecting families, supporting tourism, facilitating business travel, and strengthening cultural ties between the Dominican Republic and the global Dominican community.
“This aircraft is a celebration of the culture, creativity, and energy of a country that has played a central role in JetBlue’s history,” said Marty St. George, president of JetBlue. “From opening Santiago as our first international destination in 2004 to becoming the largest airline serving the Dominican Republic, we are proud to celebrate more than two decades of service, connection, and shared growth.”
A Flying Symbol of Dominican Pride
The selected livery will be applied to a JetBlue Airbus A320 and is scheduled to take flight later this spring. Once operational, the aircraft will serve as a highly visible, mobile ambassador for Dominican culture, traveling across JetBlue’s network and bringing the spirit of the Dominican Republic to airports and skies throughout the Americas.
More than a visual transformation, the livery represents JetBlue’s ongoing commitment to honoring the communities it serves. Each time the aircraft takes off, it will symbolize the airline’s role in connecting people to their heritage, supporting cultural expression, and amplifying voices from the communities that have helped shape its identity.
The initiative also reflects JetBlue’s broader efforts to celebrate diversity and inclusion, recognizing that aviation is not just about transportation but about building meaningful connections between cultures, families, and economies.
Artist Perspective: Culture Taking Flight
For Willy Gómez, seeing his work chosen for the aircraft is both a personal and cultural milestone. With more than 20 years of experience as an art director, illustrator, and muralist, Gómez has built a career centered on expressing Dominican identity through contemporary visual language.
“Seeing this art take flight is seeing my roots rise,” Gómez said. “It’s a tribute to my country—to its color, its energy, and the inspiration that has always been with me.”
Gómez’s artistic style draws from Neo-traditional and Art Nouveau influences, blending expressive linework with bold color contrasts and intricate patterns. His design captures the warmth, rhythm, and vibrancy of Dominican life, drawing inspiration from music, dance, coastal landscapes, and the everyday experiences that define the country’s cultural fabric.
Tropical motifs, flowing forms, and dynamic composition work together to evoke movement and celebration—qualities that naturally align with the concept of flight. The result is a visually striking aircraft that reflects both artistic sophistication and emotional resonance.
Elevating Local Talent Through Collaboration
JetBlue emphasized that while Gómez’s design was selected for the livery, the airline is deeply grateful to all participating artists for their contributions. Los Plebeyos and Lena Tolkens each brought powerful and authentic perspectives to the campaign, demonstrating the depth and diversity of creative talent within the Dominican artistic community.
By involving multiple artists and placing the final decision in the hands of the public, JetBlue positioned RD Orgullo que Eleva as a true collaboration rather than a traditional corporate branding exercise. The campaign provided a platform for Dominican voices to be seen, celebrated, and elevated on a global stage.
This approach aligns with JetBlue’s broader community engagement strategy, which focuses on building partnerships that create shared value and long-term impact rather than one-time gestures.
Supporting Tourism and Economic Connection
Beyond its cultural significance, the new livery also reinforces JetBlue’s role in supporting tourism and economic development in the Dominican Republic. As one of the country’s primary air transport providers, JetBlue plays a critical role in bringing visitors to the island, supporting local businesses, and strengthening international connectivity.
The aircraft will serve as a visual invitation to travelers, promoting the Dominican Republic as a dynamic, culturally rich, and must-visit destination. For members of the Dominican diaspora, the livery represents a sense of home and belonging—an acknowledgment of their heritage each time they board a JetBlue flight.
JetBlue noted that initiatives like this reflect its continued investment in the markets it serves, particularly those with strong cultural and familial ties.
Source Link:https://news.jetblue.com/