Originally published in Jetstream Magazine by Ejaaz Cadinouche.

An aircraft that has graced the skies for over 31 years has flown its final service.

Icelandair’s Hekla Aurora special livery aircraft has officially been retired. It held the rank as one of the most recognizable liveries in the world, and was created not only as a nod to the mesmerizing northern lights — formally known as Aurora Borealis — but as a campaign to visit Iceland. Specifically, the aircraft was painted to promote the #MyStopover initiative, started by Icelandair to encourage travelers to discover everything Iceland has to offer.

The name Hekla is a traditional Icelandic woman's name and is also the name of one of the volcanoes on the island. This name, combined with Aurora, effortlessly encompasses the Icelandic vibe. Icelandair even installed special LED mood-lighting on board to mimic the glimmer and colors of the northern lights.

The Boeing 757-200, registered TF-FIU, was initially delivered to Spanish flag carrier Iberia in 1994. The airline squeezed 10 years of service out of the aircraft before it was bought by Icelandair in 2004. Icelandair repainted it as Hekla Aurora in 2014.

On October 12, 2025, TF-FIU flew its final flight, taking 140 passengers on a scenic tour around Iceland. The final service graced travelers from as far as Singapore with two hours of the island’s most beautiful sights as a final sendoff for 31 years in the skies.

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