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Topic of the Week: Your Favorite Special Livery

64 comments on Topic of the Week: Your Favorite Special Livery
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It’s been a busy week for special liveries. Southwest rolled out is Missouri-themed aircraft this week and Lufthansa put its stunning 747-8 in a retro livery into service. Most awesome of all, however, was the introduction of ANA’s new Star Wars aircraft. But these are far from the only airline that puts special paint jobs on its aircraft. I’m a big fan of special and retro liveries. What’s your favorite? Post a link in the comments so all can see. And don’t put the ones you hate. Let’s save those for another week.

While I have trouble picking one that I love most, I’ll kick things off for one of my favorites. Behold, the Air New Zealand All Blacks 777.

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Brett

64 responses to “Topic of the Week: Your Favorite Special Livery”

  1. Grichard Avatar
    Grichard

    The ANA link just gives the Cranky 404 page.

    Reply
    1. CF Avatar
      CF

      Grichard – Fixed

      Reply
  2. Adam Avatar
    Adam

    I realize I will be in the minority here, but I couldn’t care less about special liveries. I’m flying inside. I can’t see the giant outside billboard. And any inside accompaniment only makes it feel more like a New York subway. Actually, my favorite livery decision was American Airlines about 20 years ago. American decided not to paint its planes at all. They were all shiny metal tubes with just the American logo. American’s point was that paint added 300 pounds to a plane’s weight, resulting in higher fuel usage. One bare plane might not mean a lot but a whole fleet of bare planes meant savings to the company and ultimately the passenger. Whether there was any truth to that or whether it was just a marketing idea is debatable. But the basic concept of it just seemed to make more sense to me than a jet painted like a giant whale or balloon festival.

    Reply
    1. drybean Avatar
      drybean

      The AA shiny silver livery actually debuted in the late 1960s. It spoke loudly not just about Bob Crandall’s refusal to paint any planes or the economic benefits of unpainted aircraft but of the pride in being American. Bright and shiny…it was truly something special in the air.

      Reply
      1. oldiesfan6479 Avatar
        oldiesfan6479

        “…The AA shiny silver livery actually debuted in the late 1960s. It spoke loudly not just about Bob Crandall’s refusal to paint any planes…”

        In the late 1960s, Crandall was still pre-AA (Hallmark?).

        The bare metal (+ decals) schemes had been with AA for years before the 1968 changes which lasted until the new current disaster scheme. The “Astrojet” in the ’60s and the “Flagship” in the ’50s were both decals on bare metal. Heck, it was the same scenario going back to the DC-3s in the mid-1930s.

        Reply
        1. Former AAer Avatar
          Former AAer

          Let’s not forget, it’s America West that took over US and AA, not the other way around. Parker is making the decisions. And despite working for Crandall, he is nothing like Crandall!

          Reply
    2. Andy Avatar
      Andy

      EVA Air not only put Hello Kitty liveries on two of their planes, they also overhauled the planes’ interior to reflect the Hello Kitty theme. http://www.evaair.com/en-global/flying-with-us/hello-kitty-jets/gallery/

      Reply
      1. Doug Swalen Avatar
        Doug Swalen

        EVA has those liveries on more than two jets now. Not sure the exact number…six maybe?

        Reply
    3. CF Avatar
      CF

      Adam – I like the look of the bare metal scheme as well, but believe it or not, it’s actually more costly to do it that way. Airplanes that aren’t painted need to be polished much more frequently using a material that helps with corrosion protection. Here’s a Boeing article on the difference in costs: http://www.boeing.com/commercial/aeromagazine/aero_05/textonly/fo01txt.html

      Reply
    4. Hov Avatar
      Hov

      Here, here!! Love the AA logo and eagle and I was sad to see them be retired. Loved the bare metal shining and shimmering in the sun as the plane would turn and catch the sun in just the right angle.

      But I actually must admit that I also love the new eagle logo and flag. I know I’m in the minority at this blog but I think the new Eagle logo is classy, sophisticated and combined with the American flag on the tail proudly displays our nations strength. The planes carry it well, especially some of the smaller ones.

      Reply
  3. Abby Avatar
    Abby

    An early favourite for me was Wunala Dreaming from Qantas…

    http://www.airliners.net/photo/Qantas/Boeing-747-438/0064579/M/

    Reply
  4. Bravenav Avatar
    Bravenav

    Salmon Thirty Salmon

    Reply
    1. JuliaZ Avatar
      JuliaZ

      This is one of my favorites too. http://www.alaskaair.com/content/travel-info/our-aircraft/738-salmon2.aspx Salmon Thirty Salmon II (do you know they have a pilot whose last name is Salmon? No kidding… He comes on the PA and says, “Ladies and gentlemen, we’d like to welcome you from the flight deck. I’m Captain Salmon, and I’ve decided that I like flying better than swimming.” I’ve flown with him three times now, but it always gets a laugh from the pax.

      Alaska has a whole bunch of special liveries. http://www.alaskaair.com/content/travel-info/our-aircraft/737-900.aspx

      Reply
  5. Chicago Airline Geek Avatar
    Chicago Airline Geek

    I know Sea World has fallen on some hard times lately, but I always liked the Shamu livery that Southwest had for all those years. Even an adult could feel like a kid getting on one of those!

    http://fineartamerica.com/featured/southwest-737-7h4-n713sw-shamu-phoenix-sky-harbor-arizona-december-23-2011-brian-lockett.html

    Reply
  6. Ex-TWA Avatar
    Ex-TWA

    My will be the TWA livery that AA will be putting back on one of the birds.

    Reply
    1. ZuluLima Avatar
      ZuluLima

      Remember the reverse colors TWA MD-80? That was even better. They also had Rams helmets on a 727 and 757 I think. Its unfortunate the new AA/TW retro will say American and be on a 738.

      Reply
  7. PiedmontFH227 Avatar
    PiedmontFH227

    Definitely AA’s retro 737-800 with the early 60’s livery.

    Reply
    1. ZuluLima Avatar
      ZuluLima

      The 757 they had a few years previous to that was lots better.

      Reply
  8. slynch Avatar
    slynch

    [Description: https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQ98iHtVosPN75pM4CdWOwxGWw5EptyUnzeWTRP-flmzfccXEpgiq2LQg%5D<http://www.google.com/url?url=http://www.getinews.com/news-9546565-Etihad-Airways-to-launch-fast-and-furious-new-livery-aircraft-Figure.html&rct=j&frm=1&q=&esrc=s&sa=U&ei=iRMxVbj7I4vbsASP0IDwDg&ved=0CBYQ9QEwAA&usg=AFQjCNGTG0mxtoV_cb9ua3QFZ_tRk87zxQ

    Reply
  9. slynch Avatar
    slynch

    http://www.arabianbusiness.com/etihad-launches-fast-furious-777-aircraft-in-los-angeles-586271.html

    Reply
  10. Rusty Shackelford Avatar
    Rusty Shackelford

    My wife loved Southwest’s Seaworld plane.
    I love the US Airways Carolina Panthers special livery.

    Reply
  11. DesertGhost Avatar
    DesertGhost

    Here’s my favorite; the original America West “Teamwork” 757.

    http://www.airliners.net/photo/America-West-Airlines/Boeing-757-2S7/0814671/&sid=bab0973e7ecacd12800c15dc8e20684d

    Reply
    1. DesertGhost Avatar
      DesertGhost

      If I remember correctly, the above livery was designed by an America West employee’s child. This is the later version, more sophisticated, but lacking the charm of the original:

      http://www.airliners.net/photo/America-West-Airlines/Boeing-757-2S7/0814671/&sid=bab0973e7ecacd12800c15dc8e20684d

      Reply
      1. DesertGhost Avatar
        DesertGhost

        Oops! Wrong link. Sorry. Here’s the right one (I hope).

        http://www.airliners.net/photo/America-West-Airlines/Boeing-757-2S7/1192655/&sid=4a1211cc6e2647fb7a69dee8603ac022

        Reply
    2. CF Avatar
      CF

      DesertGhost – Seriously?!? I hated that airplane. Always seemed like if someone saw it they’d think some kid put the thing together. Not exactly something that instills confidence in passengers.

      Reply
      1. DesertGhost Avatar
        DesertGhost

        I guess there’s no accounting for taste.

        Reply
      2. Yo Avatar
        Yo

        I really hated that plane, it was dreadful. Nightmare on Sesame Street is what we called it….blah

        Reply
  12. A Avatar
    A

    I would like to see the old Continental meatball again. Even better if there were still a massive DC-10 tail to paint it on. Fond memories.

    Reply
  13. Paul Hughes Avatar
    Paul Hughes

    Hmm.

    Does it have to be paint or can airlines do temporary ones with “wraps” (as on motor vehicles) or would those come right off at 35,000 feet?

    Paul

    —

    Paul Hughes hughes@ocbj.com 949 833 8373 x236

    *@BidnessOC*

    +

    *Success happens from doing the same thing over and over [and] becoming great at it.Kevin Plank* +

    Reply
    1. CF Avatar
      CF

      Paul – It can be a decal. Airlines do use those.

      Reply
  14. John Edmondson Avatar
    John Edmondson

    Simpsons

    http://www.airliners.net/photo/Western-Pacific-Airlines/Boeing-737-301/0118679/&sid=c8329c57c5e441dd23e83b345c434821

    Reply
  15. Jason H Avatar
    Jason H

    Alaska has some pretty good ones, but the best one I’ve flown on is ANA’s panda B767 (google it).

    Reply
  16. Ben Avatar
    Ben

    Hello Kitty! (Well, my daughter loves it…)

    http://www.jaunted.com/files/6193/EVAHKyayall.jpg

    Reply
  17. D.J. Dogg Avatar
    D.J. Dogg

    Maryland One!

    I wonder how it will look in the new Southwest Heart scheme.

    Reply
  18. aflapr Avatar
    aflapr

    I second the votes for the American Airlines retro Astrojet livery. I wish they had gone back to this instead of that horrible new scheme…
    http://blog.seattlepi.com/airlinereporter/2010/06/19/airline-livery-of-the-week-american-airlines-astrojet-livery/

    Reply
  19. Bill Hough Avatar
    Bill Hough

    There’s just so many to choose from:

    AA’s 757 “Jet Flagship” and 737 “Astrojet.”
    US, now AA’s AL, PS and PI Airbuses.
    LH’s 747-8 retro
    Southwest’s Triple Crown One

    The list goes on…

    Reply
  20. JayB Avatar
    JayB

    It’s always so much easier to pick the ones we hate. Painting planes in the logo of Piedmont…now really. Obviously, you’re not old enough to remember!

    Of course, any plane painted with the “Star Alliance” logo…oh, please! It’s like painting a plane “Unilever!” Very warm and fuzzy!

    Reply
  21. SJ Avatar
    SJ

    Maybe skirting on what truly counts since it was Boeing and not an airline that painted it, but I loved the 12th Man 747 (deep down, I think the airline gods cursed the Seahawks in this year’s Super Bowl for Boeing’s decision not to paint up another 747 :P).

    http://www.geekwire.com/2014/boeings-new-seahawks-themed-747-takes-first-flight-12thman-pattern/

    I like the old legacy Piedmont Airlines ones as well done by American/US Airways, but that’s probably just childhood nostalgia.

    http://worldairlinenews.com/category/piedmont-airlines-2nd/

    Reply
  22. James Van Dellen Avatar
    James Van Dellen

    I’d have to say the Western Pacific Simpsons 737 is my all time favorite. Also the South African Olympics plane from the 90s (halfway down their Wikipedia page). Might be too bold and garish for some but I remember it nonetheless.

    I just saw this an hour ago on a friend’s FB post: ANA Star Wars – I’m not a huge Star Wars person but pretty creative:

    http://www.cnn.com/2015/04/17/travel/ana-star-wars-livery/

    Reply
  23. NS Avatar
    NS

    Alaska’s Salmon Thirty Salmon!

    Reply
  24. Harlan Avatar
    Harlan

    I’m kind of old school, the airline that started all this was Braniff. I always loved both the Calder airplanes!

    Reply
  25. Ben Granucci Avatar
    Ben Granucci

    I have to pick just one?!?

    Seriously though, as an avid planespotter, I love them all. The more of the aircraft they cover, and the more intricate they are, the better. And bonus points for aircraft with a different livery on both sides like the new Turkish Airlines Istanbul/San Fransisco special. http://travelskills.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Screen-Shot-2015-04-10-at-7.14.36-AM.png

    Wunala was repainted by the time I started spotting, but it surely would have been a favorite of mine.

    Reply
  26. Mark R Avatar
    Mark R

    Being from CLT and my dad having worked for Piedmont and retired from US Airways, I have to go with the hometown Piedmont heritage A319 from AA (http://www.airliners.net/photo/American-Airlines-(US/Airbus-A319-112/2614547/L/&sid=fee7fe0049b3d5199a126574a80784c3). I kind of wish it was a 737 painted this way instead of an Airbus, but I guess beggars can’t be choosers. Great topic!

    Reply
  27. rybob1 Avatar
    rybob1

    my vote, and how could you not have this at or near the top of your list is the Alaska Salmon thirty salmon.

    Reply
  28. David M Avatar
    David M

    I liked Malaysia Airlines’ hibiscus livery:

    http://www.airliners.net/photo/Malaysia-Airlines/Boeing-747-4H6/1505511/L/

    Reply
    1. ZuluLima Avatar
      ZuluLima

      +1, and its 777 counterpart in blue:

      http://www.airliners.net/photo/Malaysia-Airlines/Boeing-777-2H6-ER/2383778/L/&sid=783a2537f6d889a11282bfbd9da4896e

      Reply
  29. Hajime Sano Avatar
    Hajime Sano

    There are so many cool special liveries. The aforementioned Salmon Thirty Seven and The Simpsons are ones I’d forgotten.

    The EVA Air Hello Kitty is one of my favorites, mainly because I have a niece who was Hello Kitty crazy when she was younger, and the thought of an airline catering to that special demographic is too amusing for me.

    I’d have to say the just-revealed ANA R2-D2 is my favorite.

    Reply
  30. CraigTPA Avatar
    CraigTPA

    I have to go with the USAirways PSA retrojet – many fond memories of PSA:

    http://www.psa-history.org/about_psa/retrojet

    Reply
  31. efr Avatar
    efr

    AA Astrojet

    Reply
  32. Dianne Avatar
    Dianne

    Any of the Qantas Aboriginal Dreamtime liveries, true art in airplane form. Here’s one small example. http://thedesignair.net/2013/11/09/qantas-reveal-next-aboriginal-jet/qantas-boeing-jet-aboriginal-dreamtime-livery-mendoowoorrji-launch-14s/

    Reply
  33. g.weiss Avatar
    g.weiss

    Hello Again, Lord Snyder!

    Thank you for calling our paint job awesome! I wish I could take some credit……..

    Reply
  34. Kelly Avatar
    Kelly

    Icelandair! http://www.icelandair.ca/hekla-aurora/
    So pretty!

    Reply
  35. TC Avatar
    TC

    Jetblue’s FDNY special livery:

    http://www.jetphotos.net/viewphoto.php?id=7725058

    Reply
    1. TC Avatar
      TC

      I forgot to mention how I love the red plane. I don’t think there is another plane painted in almost all red.

      Reply
      1. CF Avatar
        CF

        TC – That’s why I loved the old America West Cardinals airplane.
        http://bit.ly/1NZyPRg

        Reply
      2. Joe L Avatar
        Joe L

        New York Air was close:

        http://www.aerodacious.com/Pix/pixUS023NewYork001.JPG

        Reply
  36. dkmoo Avatar
    dkmoo

    Please unsubscribe me.

    Thank you!
    =^,,^=

    Reply
  37. PF Avatar
    PF

    I don’t have one favorite. At the top of the list
    CO, with the red & gold stripe, golden tail and black bug
    TWA, with the red stripe and gold outline globe
    PA, classic 60s blue stripe, Pan American above the windows
    Morris, with the pink stripe fade and compass on the tail

    Reply
  38. Tonei Avatar
    Tonei

    I’ve always loved the Horizon 25th anniversary plane – it’s the one that made me want to start collecting model planes. http://jetphotos.net/showphotos.php?regsearch=N425QX

    Also a fan of Alaska’s 75th anniversary retro livery: http://jetphotos.net/showphotos.php?regsearch=N569AS

    Reply
  39. Yaalili Avatar
    Yaalili

    Kulula’s are all the best by far – http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2129239/This-way-The-budget-aeroplane-idiots-guide-flying-painted-outside.html. Awesome airline BTW too.

    Reply
  40. Phil Avatar
    Phil

    http://www.ausbt.com.au/qantas-to-unveil-retro-livery-on-boeing-737

    Reply
  41. MC Avatar
    MC

    love the Lufthansa retro and the Qantas 737-800 retro…..non retro is Azerbaijan Airlines….it actually has a scheme and color….most airlines seem like the paint slid to the back on take off….Air New Zealand Lord of the Rings i saw in person and it was awesome….the new colors are horrid in my opinion although i have see several 777’s lately with white bodies and logo on tail…..Southwest is to predictable with the states….Lone Star One and the Penguins are the only Southwest special liveries i like…..Malaysia Airlines hibiscus and Singapore’s Tropical scheme are up there as well…..wish airlines would just put color on the whole plane, not just the back and i do wish AMERICAN WOULD GET RID OF THAT HORRID SCHEME THEY HAVE NOW….the only thing that might make it better is to put the AA back on the tail…..

    Reply
  42. Yo Avatar
    Yo

    The Breitling Super Constellation, beautiful. Braniff’s Calder plane, AWA Team Work Coast to Coast, the two QANTAS aborigine designs. Western Pacific’s “Simpson’s” plane. Icelandair’s Northern Lights plane, Austrian Airlines Millennium plane, AWA Phoenix Suns plane.

    Can’t wait to see the TWA colors fly again on an American plane, will look sweet.

    Reply
  43. GregJ Avatar
    GregJ

    This is purely nostalgia from my flying as a kid in the 80s, but I wish the “Cheatline” would come back to Delta and United. I know DL put it back on the 757 they have at the museum in ATL, but they should fly one around, too. And United’s Tulip livery. Those would make good “contemporary” Retro jets.

    Reply

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