Airlines Strategy
JetBlue Launches Public Vote for Dominican Republic Aircraft Livery
JetBlue starts public voting for a Dominican Republic-themed aircraft livery by local artists, debuting in Spring 2026 on an A320.
This article is based on an official press release from JetBlue.
JetBlue has announced the launch of a new cultural campaign, “RD: Orgullo que Eleva” (DR: Pride That Elevates), aimed at celebrating the airline’s long-standing relationship with the Dominican Republic. As the largest carrier currently serving the market between the United States and the Dominican Republic, the airlines is introducing a public voting initiative to select a custom aircraft livery designed by Dominican artists.
According to the company’s announcement, this marks the first time JetBlue will dedicate a specific aircraft livery to the Dominican Republic. The winning design will be painted on an Airbus A320, which is scheduled to enter service in Spring 2026. The initiative highlights the carrier’s strategy to deepen ties with the Dominican community, a market it has served for nearly 22 years.
The core of the “RD: Orgullo que Eleva” campaign is community engagement. JetBlue has commissioned three distinct Dominican artists and collectives to propose designs that reflect the country’s folklore, nature, and spirit. The airline has opened a public voting platform where community members can select their preferred design.
Voting is currently open and will run through February 1, 2026. The airline directs participants to cast their votes at VotaJetBlueRD.com. Following the conclusion of the voting period, the winning concept will be announced in February, with the aircraft expected to debut later in the spring.
“As the largest airline serving the Dominican Republic, we’re proud to introduce JetBlue’s first livery dedicated to the country, which will showcase the work of a local artist and be chosen by the community. This initiative honors the country’s vibrant culture and creative talent, while reflecting the strong bond we’ve built there for more than twenty years.”
JetBlue selected three artists to interpret Dominican culture through their unique visual styles. The public will choose between the following concepts:
An art director and muralist with over two decades of experience, Willy Gómez is known for merging Neo-traditional and Art Nouveau styles. His proposed design focuses on the theme of “Nature & Rhythm,” utilizing bold colors to depict the island’s coastal beauty and musical heritage.
This design collective brings a contemporary social lens to their work. Their concept, centered on “Everyday Life & Folklore,” features playful illustrations that highlight Dominican gastronomy, family life, and traditional folklore. An internationally recognized illustrator, Lena Tokens combines surrealism with natural elements. Her design theme, “Tradition & Identity,” incorporates the colors of the Dominican flag and features figures representing the nation’s creativity and rhythm.
The launch of this campaign underscores the strategic importance of the Dominican Republic to JetBlue’s network. Data provided in the announcement indicates that JetBlue expects to average more than 30 daily departures from the Dominican Republic by Spring 2026.
The airline currently operates service to four major airports in the country:
Recent network adjustments include the relaunch of service between Fort Lauderdale (FLL) and Santiago (STI), as well as new routes connecting Tampa (TPA) to Punta Cana (PUJ). Beyond flight operations, the airline highlighted its philanthropic footprint through the JetBlue Foundation, which supports local educational initiatives like the Mariposa DR Foundation and the DREAM Project.
While special liveries are a common marketing tool in aviation, JetBlue itself has previously released liveries for the Boston Celtics, the New York Jets, and the FDNY, dedicating an aircraft to a specific international destination is a distinct move. It signals a defensive strategy to solidify brand loyalty in a high-volume “Visiting Friends and Relatives” (VFR) market.
By involving the community in the design process, JetBlue is likely aiming to differentiate itself from competitors by positioning the brand not just as a transit provider, but as a cultural partner. This is particularly relevant as the airline continues to manage capacity and optimize its route network in the Caribbean region.
When does voting close? Which aircraft will feature the new design? When will the aircraft start flying? Who are the artists involved?
JetBlue Launches Public Vote for First-Ever Dominican Republic Livery
Campaign Details and Voting Process
The Contending Artists
Willy Gómez: Nature and Rhythm
Los Plebeyos: Everyday Life and Folklore
Lena Tokens: Tradition and Identity
Market Position and Operational Context
AirPro News Analysis
Frequently Asked Questions
Voting for the new livery closes on February 1, 2026.
The winning design will be painted on a JetBlue Airbus A320.
The aircraft is scheduled to debut in Spring 2026.
The three contending artists are Willy Gómez, the collective Los Plebeyos, and Lena Tokens.
Sources
Photo Credit: JetBlue