How Azul Is Leveraging Disney To Drive European Expansion

As Brazilian carrier Azul eyes potential expansion to European cities, a partnership with Disney could play a part.

Azul has had a partnership with Disney since 2018 that includes selling seats from Brazil to Orlando and Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The Walt Disney World resort parks and hotels are in the Orlando area, and Disney also operates cruise ships out of Port Canaveral, Florida.

Azul General Manager for Network and Strategic Planning Vitor Cordeiro Silva, speaking at Routes World 2025 in Nassau, Bahamas, said the airline is now exploring a potential similar partnership with Disneyland Paris. Azul already flies to Paris Orly and other European cities, including Lisbon, Portugal, and Silva said its long-haul flights are doing well.

“We are looking for new routes in Europe, but we are looking at places where Brazilians want to go, like Portugal, Spain and France,” he said. “We also see opportunities in the UK and Germany.”

A partnership with Disneyland Paris could dovetail with that expansion.

Azul has five Airbus A320neo-family aircraft painted in special Disney-themed liveries: one featuring Mickey Mouse, another with Minnie Mouse and a third and fourth featuring Donald Duck and Daisy Duck.

“It was supposed to be just four aircraft,” Silva said of what Azul calls its "Magical Fleet," “but everyone was asking about Goofy.”

Consequently, Azul took delivery of a Goofy-liveried A320neo from the Airbus Toulouse factory in May 2024.

“When people see the magical planes at an airport, everyone takes photos and kids start crying ‘I want to be on that aircraft!’” Silva said.

Azul’s partnership with Disney does not allow it to fly the liveried Magical Fleet aircraft into Florida, as their role is to promote Disney vacations to Brazilians.