Belgium’s football rivalry has taken to the skies.
BRUSSELS, BELGIUM — July 2026. Brussels Airlines has launched a playful provocation ahead of Belgium’s World Cup quarterfinal against Spain. The carrier is temporarily deploying its football-themed Trident aircraft exclusively on routes connecting Brussels with Spanish cities. Madrid, Barcelona, Málaga and Alicante are among the destinations receiving the symbolic flights.
The Airbus A320 features a red fuselage and a darker tail decorated with a trident merging into a flame. Its design represents both Belgium’s men’s national team, the Red Devils, and the women’s team, the Red Flames. Sending it only to Spain transforms routine commercial flights into a lighthearted pre-match message.
The special operation began earlier this week and will continue until Friday, when Belgium and Spain meet in Inglewood, California. Belgium reached the quarterfinals after defeating the United States 4–1, while Spain advanced with a victory over Portugal. The matchup is expected to be one of the tournament’s most closely followed contests.
The original Trident aircraft entered service in 2016 and was initially dedicated exclusively to the Red Devils. Brussels Airlines later redesigned the concept to give equal visibility to Belgium’s men’s and women’s teams. The aircraft normally flies throughout the airline’s European network.
Before Belgium and Spain meet on the field, their rivalry is already flying overhead.