Bonza’s first fully painted aircraft has been spotted in Seattle in preparation for the airline’s launch later this year. The fledgling Australian airline will offer low-cost flights to regional destinations across Australia’s east coast.
Bonza Full Livery Sighted
The low-cost carrier’s first plane was first spotted in the Seattle area last week before it received its full paint job. The Boeing 737 Max 8 was painted almost entirely grey, its identity only revealed by the bright purple winglets and part of the Bonza logo visible on the tail.
The aircraft has since been seen in its full livery, decked out in Bonza’s distinctive purple and white colour scheme. The paint job features a white fuselage, with the entire rear of the plane painted in purple and bearing the company’s thumbs-up logo on the sides and tail of the aircraft.
The aircraft currently has the Boeing test registration N5515X, which can be seen written below the tail on the new paint job. Once the jet enters service with Bonza, it will shed its American registration for a new Australian one, VH-UJT. The letters “UJT” are already visible above the plane’s nose gear.
History of the Aircraft
The plane wasn’t always destined to end up with Bonza. After completing its first flight in 2019, the aircraft spent almost two years out of service following the 20-month grounding of Boeing MAX aircraft, brought about by two fatal accidents involving issues with the MAX’s design. This meant the jet couldn’t be delivered to buyer LOT Polish Airlines, who eventually decided not to take the plane.
According to data from FlightRadar24.com, the plane flew from Victorville, California, to Seattle’s Boeing Field on 6 July. The aircraft will be delivered to its new home in Australia before Bonza’s planned start in September.
Are you excited to see a new low-cost carrier in Australia? Let us know in the comments below!
