A year after painting one of its Boeing 737s with its classic 1970s logo, Qantas has unveiled a second plane in a vintage colour scheme, as part of its anniversary.

The carrier has decked up a newly-configured Boeing 737-800 aircraft in its vintage 1960s livery, as part of its 95th anniversary celebrations.

The livery for aircraft, dubbed `Retro Roo II’ is the same as featured on Qantas’ Boeing 707 jets from 1959 to 1961.

At a boisterous celebration at a Sydney airport hangar on Monday, chief executive Alan Joyce said the choice of livery was significant because the Boeing 707 aircraft was the first long haul jet used by the airline to cut travel time across the globe.

“I hope this livery inspires a sense of pride in what our national airline has achieved during all these years,” Joyce told nearly 400 flag-waving staff members and guests after the Retro Roo II was taxied into the hangar.

The aircraft will headline the carrier’s marketing and public relations for the 95th anniversary celebrations.

Qantas started life as the Queensland and Northern Territory Aerial Services Limited on this day in 1920. Registered in Brisbane, it operated sightseeing and demonstration flights with two aircraft at Longreach.

It first started international flights in 1935, operating between Brisbane and Singapore.

Qantas was the first airline to offer an around-the-world service with the Boeing 707 jet, with total flying time of 70 hours.

Joyce used the occasion to thank his employees for their contribution to the airline’s growth, and also honoured ex-employee Michael Ryan, who also hails from Longreach and is older than the airline.

The celebrations were attended by senior executives from Qantas’ long-time aircraft supplier Boeing, who delivered a large model of its 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft. Qantas had placed an order for eight Dreamliner aircraft last year.

In August, Qantas delivered a $557 million profit for 2014-15, a sharp turnaround from the record $2.8 billion loss in 2013/14, mainly on the back of declining fuel costs.

“Qantas is in fantastic shape – we are back in profits and looking at the next level of expansion. Hopefully we can continue to build on that,” Joyce said.

AAP