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Kulula-air tries not to take itself too seriously

by Kent Wien (RSS feed) on Jan 30th 2010 at 6:00PM

Kulula-air.com is a low-fare 737 carrier based in South Africa. The airline started in 2001 and recently took delivery of a new 737-800 with an unusual paint scheme.

Dubbed "Flying 101" it isn't the typical Kulula logo-jet.

Someone there clearly has a sense of humor. The entire airplane is covered with details about the plane, including arrows pointing to the more interesting parts.

"The big cheese" describes the captain's window. An arrow points to the aircraft's registration, calling it the "Secret code."

Even the lav is pointed out, with the description, "Loo (or mile-high initiation chamber)."

The black box, seats, stabilizer and rudder are also pointed out and include a bit of clever commentary as well. I think we can all appreciate a marketing scheme that doesn't take itself too seriously.

More pics:

Special thanks to Shanairpic via Flickr.

Filed under: Africa, South Africa, Airlines

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Nick Jan 30th 2010 7:01PM

An absolute visual delight for folks who're interested in aircraft/aviation! Tell me which little kid is not in awe of soaring airplanes and does not dream of flying one someday? This makes me wonder why our more mainstream airlines have restricted themselves to merely transporting people and are not doing more to inform and educate the public about the awesome field of aviation?!

Brian Jones Jan 30th 2010 7:53PM

Greetings

Certainly a bit of fun with the paint scheme. But why does the right hand side "secret agent code" show a Czech Republic identity, OK-PIK, while on the other side it has a South African one, ZS-ZWP?

Brian

Daniel Feb 3rd 2010 11:00AM

@BRIAN JONES:
Effectively, ZS-XXX is for South Africa. The OK-PIK at the other side is due to a temporary registration in Czech Republic, where the airplane had been painted (almost sure that it has been done at the painting facilities in Ostrava-Mosnov airport (LKMT)

Malcolm Nason Mar 21st 2010 7:38PM

The aircraft arrived for painting with the OK- registration and after painting was rolled out with the South African registration but had the Czech one taped on again for the ferry flight to back to Ostrava before completion of final paperwork and delivery to Kulula

Brian Jones Jan 30th 2010 8:35PM

Greetings

Certainly a nice paint job. :)
But why does the one side show the "secret agent code", which is a Czeck Republic callsign, while the other has the South African ZS-ZWP?

ct Jan 30th 2010 11:57PM

looks like it came from a leasing company in the czech republic (via a paintjob in shannon) that repossessed it from axis airways.

http://www.flightglobal.com/airspace/blogs/contrails/archive/2010/01/10/ok-pik-arrives-in-shannon-for-paint.aspx

Malcolm Nason Mar 21st 2010 7:50PM

Just to clarify the aircraft was painted in Shannon Ireland by Eirtech Aviation. It arrived from Ostrava as OK-PIK in Axis Airways colours having been returned to leasing company GECAS. The photos with the South African registration were taken the day before the one with the OK- registration which as I said was taped on for the ferry flight.

Bob Feb 1st 2010 9:07AM

Great article about the paint scheme. I love the company's sense of humor. I would really like to see a larger version of the images so I could read all of the fine print which, what I can see, appears to be as humorous as the whole concept.

King Feb 1st 2010 4:16PM

if it ever crashes it will be easyer to put it back together

Randy Seifer Feb 2nd 2010 9:05AM

Totally refreshing! Apt to draw a pleasant clientele and the tugging on sleeves from the younger family members. You did good.. I see smiles coming your way.. Bravo!!

Brent G Feb 2nd 2010 3:27PM

I'm South Africa, and I'll tell you what, you need a sense of humour to survive here, LOL. But what your article fails to mention is that the best part about flying any Kalula flight, is the emergency safety briefing, they're always punching it up keeping it relevant with the local news. An example of my favourite, "Should you have a child with you, please be sure to fasten their seatbelt, should you have more than one, please select your favourite now and fasten their seatbelt."

arkobney Feb 2nd 2010 7:57PM

Hmmm. Looks very cool, but I was wondering if it is real. I hit airliners.net and found another photo. The text mentions the call numbers.

And apparently, this isn't the only fun-painted Kulula ship

scarabin Feb 2nd 2010 10:22PM

OMG NOW TEH TERRORISTS WILL KNOW WHERE TO SHOOT

Clare A Feb 3rd 2010 1:26AM

As a South African, we love Kulula! Cheap, effective and funny :-)

And, as Brent says, their in-flight briefing info always puts a smile on your face ("Please take all your belongings with you when if you leave the plane. If you're going to leave something behind, please make sure it is something the cabin crew can use. Preferably not children.")

Scarabin, we're *really* not that bothered about terrorism here.