Most airlines put celebrities, cities, or corporate slogans on their planes. Eurowings is doing something different. The German carrier wants to put your neighbor, your friend, your volunteer coach, or that person who always shows up when life gets messy, on the nose of an Airbus A320. Their first name, flying across Europe at 35,000 feet, as a public thank you.
The campaign, called "Name a Plane," opens for nominations on September 21, 2026, and runs until October 11. Eurowings is asking people across Europe to nominate someone whose kindness or commitment has made a real difference. It doesn't have to be grand. It can be the person who checks on an elderly relative every day, the friend who drives you to appointments, or the volunteer who keeps the local club running. The airline says nominees don't need fame or a big gesture. Small acts count.
"Often, it is the small, everyday gestures that make the greatest difference," said Max Kownatzki, CEO of Eurowings. He wants to give those quiet contributions a visible stage. Four people will be chosen, and their first names will be displayed prominently on four of the airline's A320 aircraft. The stories behind those names will be shared in December 2026.
This isn't a contest where you win a trip for yourself. It's a chance to put someone else in the spotlight. You nominate, you explain why their help matters, and if they're selected, their name becomes part of the airline's fleet. That's a pretty special way to say thank you.
How to Nominate Someone
Head to the competition page on Eurowings' website between September 21 and October 11. You'll need to be at least 18 and live in Europe, and the person you nominate must also be 18 or older and based in Europe. Each person can submit one entry, and there's no fee. The form asks for your contact details and a story about your nominee.
Keep the story focused on their actions and qualities. Use only their first name. Don't include their address, employer, or contact details. Avoid sensitive personal information like health, religion, or sexuality. Eurowings says it will tell the nominee if they're being considered, so it's worth letting them know you've put them forward. That way, no surprises.
What Happens Next
After the entry window closes, Eurowings will review all the stories. A jury will pick the four that best reflect the campaign's spirit of recognizing help and kindness. This isn't a random draw. The decision is based on the nominations themselves. If someone is shortlisted, the airline will contact them, and they'll need to agree before their nomination moves forward.
The selected names will appear on the aircraft, not the full stories. Eurowings hasn't specified which routes or how long the names will stay. But the idea is simple, a personal message of thanks turned into something passengers see every day. If you've ever wanted to honor someone who made your life easier, this is your chance.
For more stories about people and planes, check out The Golden Horse That United 300 People Across Borders or One Month, Seven Continents, One Plane Full of 50 People. And if you're curious about how airlines are changing the way we fly, Lufthansa's 850-aircraft Wi-Fi bet just got real is worth a read.
So, who's the person in your life who makes the hard days bearable? The one who shows up without being asked. The one who listens, helps, and never expects anything back. Eurowings is giving you a way to put their name in the sky. That's a thank you that will be hard to top.
