MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

World's largest salmon lands in Anchorage

Alaska Airlines reveals its fish-patterned Boeing 737-800 (N559AS) dubbed “Salmon-Thirty-Salmon II.” (Photo by Alaska Airlines)

The world's largest 'salmon' -- a plane -- landed in Anchorage this week at a full 91,000 lb before an audience of hundreds of Alaska Airlines employees and seafood industry executives. Measuring nearly 129 ft, the fish-themed Boeing 737-800 is the most elaborately decorated commercial aircraft and is meant to celebrate the partnership of Alaska Airlines and the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute (ASMI).

The new “Salmon-Thirty-Salmon II design is nearly identical to an earlier version that Alaska Airlines released on a 737-400 in 2005, which was re-painted with the carrier's traditional Eskimo livery in 2011. In addition to showcasing a wild Alaska king salmon like the original ”Salmon-Thirty-Salmon,“ the new design – which was produced in partnership with ASMI -- features fish scales on the winglets and a salmon pink-colored Alaska script across the fuselage.

”Today, we are proud to introduce the largest flying fish to all of Alaska and the world,“ said Marilyn Romano, Alaska Airlines' regional VP of the state of Alaska. ”Not only will this special plane spotlight the best, most sustainable seafood harvest in the world, it will also remind us of the important role the seafood industry has on the Alaska economy.“

Alaska Airlines carried nearly 24 million lb of seafood from Alaska to markets in the US, Canada and Mexico last year, ensuring that the seafood that travels from Alaska to markets across the US arrives fresh -- soften within 24 hours.

The goal is to keep seafood moving quickly on its journey and to maintain a consistent temperature range throughout the supply chain.

”Alaska Airlines has been a terrific partner to the Alaska seafood industry by delivering high-quality fresh seafood products to cities throughout the United States and beyond and flying employees to work throughout the year,“ ASMI Executive Director Michael Cerne said. ”We are thrilled to have such a beautiful flying billboard celebrating our unique partnership.”

About half of the US’s total seafood catch comes from Alaska fisheries, ASMI informed.

Beginning on 5 October, the aircraft will fly passenger routes throughout Alaska Airlines' network, connecting destinations from Hawaii to Boston and from Anchorage and Mexico.

The Salmon-Thirty-Salmon II aircraft design is an original of Mark Boyle, a Seattle-based wildlife artist and recognised leader in the livery design of commercial aircraft. He designed the first salmon design plane and has created a dozen other special paint themes for Alaska Airlines, including the Spirit of Disneyland I and II and the Spirit of Make-A-Wish planes. (FIS)