Alaska Airlines unveils salmon livery designed by Native artist

Alaska Airlines has unveiled its newest aircraft paint theme – Xáat Kwáani – which means “Salmon People” in the Alaskan Tlingit language.

The stunning design was created by talented Alaska Native artist Crystal Kaakeeyáa Rose Demientieff Worl. 

Xáat Kwáani, or “Salmon People”, refers to the spiritual link between the people who interact with the beloved salmon and all who benefit from their stewardship of the environment.

Ancient traditional art

Using Northwest Coast formline art, the salmon design by Worl is a one-of-a-kind work that honors salmon, culture, artistic expression, and language. Traditional formline art dates back thousands of years and is a two-dimensional design style of the Northwest Coast.

“Every time I looked at an Alaska plane, I couldn’t help but visualize the salmon being in formline, or having some sort of design that represents identity.”

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“I can’t help but look at things and see how to Indigenize them,” said Worl. “I have high hopes this project will encourage people to learn and embrace Indigenous culture and values.” 

Passing on ancestral values

Through her art, Worl aims to bring attention to Indigenous culture and to pass on ancestral values to a new generation.

“Crystal Worl has a love of monumental art – most recently murals gracing the sides of buildings in Juneau and Anchorage for locals and visitors to enjoy.”

“And we had a large blank canvas – a 737-800,” said Marilyn Romano, regional vice president, Alaska Airlines.

“During our first conversation, Crystal shared her desire to paint an Alaska Airlines plane — she has flown with us most of her life.”

“Salmon as a focus was intentional and Crystal shares the relationship between salmon and Native people through storytelling and artistic design.”

Salmon has a special meaning and significance in the state of Alaska, the Pacific Northwest and along the West Coast. Some travel as far as 600 miles each way, each uniquely adapted to its particular river system, ocean and watershed environment.

A unique first for Alaska Airlines

The connection between the Alaskan environment and the salmon is strong, and perhaps it is somewhat fitting to decorate an aircraft with the livery of a species it travels incredible distance.

Not only is the livery unique, but so too is the language.

The Alaska Airlines Boeing 737-800 is the first livery of a U.S. airline fleet to have the name of the plane in an Alaska Native language and the first time Alaska Airlines has featured a language besides English on the main door of an aircraft.

“This will be significant to have Indigenous language on an airplane,” said Worl.

“People will see it, they’ll read it, they’ll try to say ‘Xáat Kwáani’ (Salmon People), and they’ll want to know more and be curious to learn about it and want to feel connected to it. I’m excited to be part of this.”

The aircraft will begin flying on May 12, 2023, with an inaugural flight from Anchorage through Southeast Alaska.

The first stop of Alaska Airlines flight 62 will be through Crystal’s hometown of Juneau, the state’s capital, before it continues through Sitka, Ketchikan and Seattle.