Qantas is set to inspire a fresh wave of Australian aviation nostalgia with a second Boeing 737-800 to be painted in a retro livery as part of celebrations marking the national carrier’s 95th Birthday.

“We are very excited to be announcing the commissioning of Retro Roo II following the phenomenal response we received from the community and our people when we introduced the first Retro Roo with its classic 1970s iconic last November,” says Qantas group executive for brand, marketing and corporate affairs Olivia Wirth. “You can see from what’s posted on social media that people enjoy taking photos of Retro Roo I as it travels to airports around Australia. Crew tell us it’s always a talking point when it pulls up to the gate and people get on board, though they’re generally pleased that it’s not 1974 in the inside as well. The Retro Roo II livery is part of celebrations for our 95th anniversary and it’s also a good contrast to the innovation happening at Qantas, particularly as we start to prepare for our first B787 Dreamliners in 2017.”

The new livery will be chosen from the 12 liveries that Qantas has had since its first aircraft in 1920. It will be applied to one of Qantas’ existing 67 Boeing 737 aircraft, which are undergoing a refurbishment program in Brisbane and Sydney. Once the cabin refresh is completed, the aircraft will be flown to Townsville to be repainted in a classic new livery, before entering service on flights across Australia and the Tasman to New Zealand. www.qantas.com.au