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Southwest Airlines

Artful pelican graces Southwest’s new Louisiana-themed plane

Catherine Saunders-Watson
Catherine Saunders-Watson
Southwest Airlines
Southwest Airlines’ ‘Louisiana One’ aircraft with an artist’s rendering of a pelican and three chicks. Image courtesy of Southwest Airlines

NEW ORLEANS (AP) – A giant pelican will soon be landing and taking off at airports in its namesake state.

News outlets report Southwest Airlines unveiled Louisiana One on Wednesday at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport. The Boeing 737-700 is painted with an artist’s rendition of Louisiana’s flag.

A statement from the airline quotes Gov. John Bel Edwards saying the plane is a tribute to the Pelican State and a flying ambassador.

In 1979, New Orleans became Southwest’s first destination served beyond its home state, Texas.

Southwest Airlines
Closeup of the pelican and chicks on Southwest Airlines’ new ‘Louisiana One.’ Image courtesy of Southwest Airlines

The colorful plane that features a mother pelican and a nest of her three young joins 11 other state-themed 737s in Southwest’s fleet: Arizona One, California One, Colorado One, Florida One, Illinois One, Lone Star One (Texas), Maryland One, Missouri One, Nevada One, New Mexico One and Tennessee One.

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