Alaska Airlines launches ‘Paint the Plane’ for students

Alaska Airlines is inviting school age children from across the state of Alaska to help paint a new plane, as part of its “Paint the Plane” sweepstakes. The Boeing 737-700 cargo jet will feature a special paint theme created by selected art from young Alaskans.

Students in kindergarten through 12th grade from public, private and home schools across the state have until Oct. 28 to submit artwork highlighting their favorite things about the 49th state. Alaska Airlines will use as many submissions as possible to create a special paint theme focused on the next generation of Alaskans and the Great Land. The cargo plane will primarily serve the state of Alaska.

This is the second time Alaska Airlines has called on students in Alaska to help design a plane livery. The first was the “Spirit of Alaska Statehood,” designed by Hannah Hamburg, then a 16-year-old Sitka high-school student. The plane with her drawing was introduced in 2009 to celebrate 50 years of statehood and was retired in June 2016.

Students who submit artwork by the deadline will have a chance to win one of 10 prize packages consisting of either four roundtrip tickets anywhere Alaska Airlines flies, or a $1,000 scholarship to the University of Alaska.

Complete sweepstakes rules and entry forms are available at painttheplane.com. Entry forms will also be available at Alaska Airlines ticket counters in select terminals throughout the state of Alaska.

The design will be revealed and the winners announced in December 2016. In the spring of 2017, the painted plane will be unveiled.

More in Neighbors

Downtown Juneau experiences its first significant city-level snow fall of the season as pictured on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025. (Mari Kanagy / Juneau Empire)
Weekend guide for Dec. 12-14

Visit Juneau Arts and Humanities Council at jahc.org for more details on this week’s happenings.

A totem pole, one of 13 on downtown’s Totem Pole Trail in Juneau, Alaska, Nov. 27, 2024. (Christopher S. Miller/The New York Times)
Peggy McKee Barnhill (Courtesy photo)
Gimme a smile: My roommate’s name is Siri

She hasn’t brought a lot of stuff into the house, and she takes up very little space.

Jeff Lund photo 
The author heard what he thought was a squirrel. It was not a squirrel.
I Went into the Woods: A change of plans

It was only a 30-hour trip but it’s always better to bring more food than you count on eating.

photo courtesy Tim Harrison 
Rev. Tim Harrison is senior pastor at Chapel by the Lake.
Living and Growing: I Wonder as I Wander

The Rev. Tim Harrison reflects on the Christmas season.

Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire file photo
Reverend Gordon Blue from the Church of the Holy Trinity gives an invocation at the Alaska Commercial Fishermen’s Memorial on Saturday, May 3, 2025.
Living and Growing: Psalm 30, Ouroboros, the dragon of fear and love.

Psalm 30:6 Weeping may spend the night, but joy comes in the… Continue reading

Shoppers and vendors mingle along rows of booths in the mall ballroom at Centennial Hall during the Juneau Public Market last year, which returns this year starting Friday, Nov. 28. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
Cold water dipping is a centuries old stress reduction technique still practiced today. (Photo by Raven Hotch)
Recipes for stress reduction rooted in Indigenous knowledge

We must choose to live intentionally and learn to commit to our wellbeing.

Most Read