#boeing757

Boeing 757-300 Condor

Registration: D-ABON Named: Willi Type: 757-330 Engines: 2 × RR RB211-535E4B Serial Number: 29023 First flight: May 19, 2000

Within Condor’s fleet, one of the Boeing 757-300 stands out with its distinctive “Willi” livery, unveiled in 2006 to mark the airline’s 50th anniversary. Its “Willi” livery, featuring the slogan “Wir lieben Fliegen” (We love flying), sharply contrasts with the fleet’s conventional designs. This vibrant and playful style, adorned with colorful hearts, has won the affection of passengers and aviation enthusiasts, making "Willi" an iconic presence in Condor’s lineup. The livery is a tribute to Wilfried Meyer, whose 30-year career shaped Condor’s identity as Germany’s leading leisure carrier.

So, who was this “Willi”? Retiring in January 2006 at the age of 60, Meyer served as Vice President of Scheduling and Tour Operator Sales. From the 1970s to the early 2000s, Meyer was the vital link between the airline’s operational planning and its relationships with tour operators. He was more than a sales executive; he was a visionary who saw human stories behind the numbers. A dip in bookings to Greece meant families missing out on vacations, while a surge in demand for the Canary Islands evoked images of newlyweds chasing sunsets. His decisions were guided not only by market trends but also by emotional intelligence, earning the trust of colleagues and partners alike. Known for personal gestures like handwritten thank-you notes to agents or bringing homemade cakes to planning meetings, Meyer fostered a warm sense of community within Condor. His leadership was not loud but deeply human, making him a beloved figure among peers. Upon retiring, Meyer left quietly—no press conferences or grand ceremonies, just warm embraces and a final stroll along the tarmac, watching “his” aircraft take flight. His presence lingers in Condor’s culture, in the warmth of its staff and the reliability of its partnerships, embodied by the charm of the “Willi” livery.

Presidential Visit

Here’s Air Force One on its final approach to Traverse City, Michigan.

I’m standing in the middle of Four-Mile Road well south of Grand Traverse Bay, East Arm, to get this vantage point. Given the haze and distortion from heat waves, I may want to find a closer point to bag the take-off later today.