Danish Airlines DDL The Viking Lines

This striking and highly graphic poster was issued in 1946 by Det Danske Luftfartselskab (DDL), the Danish national airline and one of the founding members of SAS. It promotes “The Viking Lines,” a branding that cleverly connects modern air travel with Scandinavia’s seafaring heritage.

The design is by Behrend and features a dynamic composition juxtaposing a sleek postwar aircraft—named Viking—with a traditional Viking longship below. This visual pairing emphasizes continuity between past and present, suggesting that DDL’s modern air routes are the natural successors to the legendary voyages of the Vikings. The diagonal typography reinforces a sense of speed and forward motion, while the bold red and blue color scheme reflects both national identity and mid-century graphic trends.

Produced shortly after World War II, the poster captures a moment when European aviation was rapidly rebuilding and expanding. Airlines like DDL sought to reestablish international connections and inspire confidence in air travel, presenting it as both modern and rooted in a proud cultural legacy.

Printed as a lithographic poster, it combines painterly illustration with strong typographic elements typical of the period’s advertising style.

Condition: Very rare example. Displays the expected signs of age but remains a powerful and visually compelling piece, especially given its early postwar date and historical significance in Scandinavian aviation.