Copa Airlines will reveal the winning design for a special Panama national football team aircraft in the coming days. The airline’s CEO confirmed the selection this week, marking a major promotional push ahead of the team’s debut at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Panama’s flag carrier ran a national contest that attracted over 100 design submissions from local artists. The chosen artwork will adorn a brand-new Boeing 737 MAX aircraft scheduled for delivery in May.
Design Contest Celebrates Historic Qualification
Dubbed “El avión de la Sele,” the competition launched last November through a partnership between Copa Airlines and the Panamanian Soccer Federation (Fepafut). It sought to transform local creativity into a flying symbol of national pride. The contest closed for entries on December 10.
Senior Director of Marketing and Loyalty Program Marco Ocando explained the initiative’s inspiration at its launch. The team’s World Cup qualification reignited passion across the country, he noted.
“The classification of Panama to the World Cup reignites the passion of an entire country and invites us to celebrate in a big way. As the official airline and proud sponsor of the team, we want the design of the aircraft image that will accompany this dream to be created by Panamanian talent,” said Marco Ocando. [Translated from Spanish]
Only Panamanians over 18 years old were eligible to participate. All submissions needed to align with the brand guidelines of both Copa Airlines and the football federation.
Winning Design Captures Team Spirit
CEO Pedro Heilbron provided details during a recent television interview. He stated the selection panel chose a design that effectively balanced several key elements.
“The winning design combined the strength of the Red Tide, the thrust of the team, and was realistic in terms of painting it on an airplane,” explained Copa Airlines CEO Pedro Heilbron. [Translated from Spanish]
The “Red Tide” refers to the passionate fanbase of the Panama national football team. Heilbron’s comments confirm the design will prominently feature the team’s iconic color and embody its competitive spirit.
This special livery represents a significant corporate commitment. Using a factory-fresh aircraft underscores the project’s importance for the airline’s marketing strategy.
The official reveal event is now in its final planning stages. It will kick off a new chapter of celebration for Panamanian football, which is enjoying unprecedented global attention.
This promotional aircraft will likely see heavy use on key routes. It could support team travel and fan movements as excitement builds toward the 2026 tournament.
For copa airlines, the project blends national pride with brand visibility. The airline has consistently sponsored the national team, leveraging sports to deepen its connection with passengers across its network.
Panama’s qualification for the 2026 World Cup, to be hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, is its first appearance on the global stage since 2018. The specially designed aircraft will serve as a highly visible ambassador for the team during its preparations.