Etihad painted a 787 McLaren papaya, and premium flyers get free McLaren loungewear to keep

Etihad just painted a Boeing 787 in McLaren papaya, and it did not wait long to fly it. Etihad says it unveiled the McLaren Racing livery in Abu Dhabi on Nov. 10, 2026. Hours later, the jet flew its first passenger trip, Flight EY103 to Madrid, the airline said. Etihad calls it the first time a Formula 1 team has appeared on a wide-body aircraft.

The paint job is only half the story. Etihad is also handing out limited-edition Etihad x McLaren loungewear to premium passengers on longer flights. Business guests get a crew-neck set. First and The Residence guests get a zip-neck version. You keep it after the flight.

The loungewear, and how long it lasts#

Etihad says the collection runs for about a month. Until Nov. 18, it is only on the McLaren livery plane. After that, it spreads across the long-haul fleet. Etihad says it will stay until after the Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in December.

Here is what Etihad says each cabin gets:

Cabin	Loungewear	Detail
Business	Crew-neck set	Etihad and McLaren branding
First	Zip-neck set	Papaya detailing
The Residence	Zip-neck set	Papaya detailing

Both designs come in sizes S to XL, according to the airline. Etihad says the sets are for "longer routes" and "selected long-haul flights," but it has not published a list of which flights qualify. The release does not include Economy.

1. 2026-11-10Livery unveiled in Abu Dhabi; first flight EY103 to Madrid
2. 2026-11-18Loungewear exclusive to the McLaren plane ends
3. 2026-12Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, the F1 season finale
4. 2026-12Loungewear ends after the race, Etihad says

Source: Etihad Airways

What first-flight passengers got#

The Madrid trip came with extras for everyone on board. Etihad says all passengers received commemorative Etihad and McLaren Racing cards and branded cookies. Business guests also got branded caps and cards signed by McLaren drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri.

Etihad's own post about the first flight drew strong interest on X. It had more than 36,000 views and 849 likes by Wednesday morning.

View this post on X

In that post, Etihad says the plane "has completed its inaugural flight" from Abu Dhabi to Madrid and repeats that the loungewear is for The Residence, First and Business guests on selected long-haul flights.

Where the papaya 787 will fly#

Etihad has not published a schedule for the plane. In its unveiling release, it said the jet will fly across its network. It gave examples from Dublin, Milan and Vienna to Bali, Bangkok and Delhi.

That means there is no simple way to book it on purpose. One flyer asked Etihad on X how to make sure they get the McLaren plane, and Etihad has not published an answer in its releases. If you want it, check a flight tracker close to departure.

A record-setting reveal#

Etihad revealed the livery at the Etihad Engineering facility in Abu Dhabi. The airline says the event set a Guinness World Records title for the largest single-piece kabuki reveal. In a kabuki reveal, one large cover drops away all at once.

"This aircraft will proudly carry that story from our home in Abu Dhabi to cities around the world," said Antonoaldo Neves, Etihad's chief executive, in the release.

McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown said, "We look forward to seeing our trademark papaya up in the sky."

Why Etihad is doing this#

The partnership began earlier in 2026. Etihad is an Official Partner of the McLaren Mastercard Formula 1 Team and the McLaren Hypercar Team for 2026 and beyond, the airline says. Etihad branding also appears on the McLaren MCL40's rear wing and halo, and on the drivers' helmets.

Etihad has also been the title sponsor of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix since 2009. The race closes the F1 season in December. A papaya jet flying around the world in the weeks before the finale is marketing, plain and simple. It is also a fun one for travelers who like planes and racing.

Here is the argument for caring, even if you do not follow F1. Sleepwear is a familiar premium-cabin perk. A limited set tied to a race team is a different kind of keepsake. Etihad is turning a sponsorship into something a paying passenger can take home. The catch is timing. The window closes after the December race, so it rewards only people already flying Etihad long-haul in business or above.

What to do if you want the set#

• Book Business, First or The Residence on a long-haul Etihad flight before the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in December.
• Know that before Nov. 18, the loungewear is only on the McLaren livery plane.
• Ask the crew if you do not see it offered. Etihad says sizes run S to XL.
• Do not book a flight just to see the plane. Etihad has not said where it will fly on any given day.

More on Etihad's lounges and network is on our Etihad page, including our earlier story on its new Abu Dhabi–Calgary nonstop.

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