A photo that purports to show a “diamond-encrusted” Boeing 777 isn’t what it seems: it’s actually a clever Photoshop job.
The picture nonetheless has generated viral attention on social media after Emirates Airlines posted the photo. “Presenting the Emirates ‘Bling’ 777. Image created by Sara Shakeel,” it tweeted.
Presenting the Emirates ‘Bling’ 777. Image created by Sara Shakeel 💎💎💎 pic.twitter.com/zDYnUZtIOS
— Emirates Airline (@emirates) December 4, 2018
The airplane is shown parked in a terminal at an undisclosed airport, surrounded by trucks while shining in the sunset.
The image was originally created by Sara Shakeel, a crystal artist, reported the Gulf News.
The picture, however, fooled a lot of people. “Is this real or Photoshop,” asked one person, and another person added: “Is this real or am I dreaming? Please say this is real, it’s so beautiful.”
“My plane has been on the news lately, confirming whether it’s real or not,” she also wrote, adding “I truly and honestly made the diamond plane for the love of trip and the excitement (sic).” She added that she would never think it would have gone viral, being featured on news websites. On Instagram and Twitter, tens of thousands of people shared the photo under the impression that it was real.
An Emirates spokesperson told Gulf News that Emirates didn’t have one of its planes covered in diamonds and jewels.
“We just posted an art piece made by crystal artist Sara Shakeel,” said the spokesperson. “I can confirm it’s not [real].”
One person on social media said the weight of the crystals and diamonds would create serious problems.
“Unfortunately not possible technically. The plane will have added extra weight and some serious safety issues then,” the person said.
Asked another person, “People seriously think the inside of the engine is covered in diamonds????” Said another, “Fake! … Unless aircraft engine intakes can work stuffed full of rocks? Take a closer look folks!”
Another joked: “Lmao the weight of those rocks will weigh that bird down so much.”
Shakeel is a Pakistan artist, who used to be a dentist, and posts digitally edited images covered in crystals and diamonds. “I add crystals and diamonds to the most ordinary objects of everyday life,” she said, according to the Gulf News.
