Icelandair’s iconic Northern Lights‑themed Boeing 757, Hekla Aurora, has begun a new life after retirement — as thousands of aviation collectables.
The aircraft, famous for its aurora‑inspired exterior and cabin mood lighting, has been dismantled and transformed into more than 20,000 keyrings by German manufacturer Aviationtag.
The 757, which first joined Icelandair in 2004 and received its striking livery in 2014, operated across Europe and North America as a flying billboard designed to inspire travel to Iceland . After its final scenic farewell flight in October 2025, the aircraft was transferred to Lleida, Spain, where Aviationtag’s team worked in extreme heat — over 40°C — to carefully remove sections of the painted skin for repurposing.
The metal was then shipped to Cologne to be sorted, polished, cut and engraved into individual tags, each preserving a piece of the aircraft’s distinctive Northern Lights artwork. Initial batches sold out within hours, but Aviationtag says new pieces are being added daily as production continues. The company notes that the wide range of colours and patterns makes sorting each variant a meticulous process, and encourages collectors to sign up for restock notifications.
Hekla Aurora’s transformation comes as Icelandair accelerates the retirement of its ageing 757 fleet, with the final aircraft expected to leave service this winter. The airline is replacing the type with newer A321neos and Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, though one special all‑business‑class 757 — TF‑LLL, used for National Geographic luxury voyages — may remain in operation slightly longer.
For aviation fans, the keyrings offer a rare chance to own a piece of one of Icelandair’s most beloved aircraft — a colourful reminder of a livery that captured imaginations around the world.
