Gallery: Airline Liveries Before and After

Linda Blachly

After: ZIPAIR

Photo credit: ZIPAIR

Japan’s Zipair Tokyo plans to redesign its livery, removing the “Z’ on its aircraft’s tails following Russia’s appropriation of the letter as a tag in its war against Ukraine. The livery will be renovated in two stages; starting with a decal version for launch on June 18. Newly painted aircraft will be progressively introduced in December 2022 and is expected to be completed by Spring 2023.

Before: ZIPAIR

Photo credit: ZIPAIR

Japan’s Zipair Tokyo plans to remove the “Z’ on its aircraft’s tails following Russia’s appropriation of the letter as a tag in its war against Ukraine.

After: Condor’s new striped liveries

Photo credit: Condor

On April 4, 2022, German leisure carrier Condor Airlines unveiled a new brand identity that will see its aircraft wear stripes in five colors: blue stripes represent the sea; yellow signifies sunshine; red for passion; green characterizes an island; and a beige-gold stripe for a sandy beach. The airline suggests the stripes also represent “the diversity of Condor” guests, employees, and the multitude of opportunities to discover the world with Condor.”

Before: Condor

Photo credit: Condor

Condor’s old livery on an A320.

After: Icelandair’s new livery 2022

Photo credit: Icelandair

Icelandair updated its airline livery in January 2022 on a Boeing 737 MAX 8 with new colors drawn from Icelandic nature, including the Northern Lights. This is the first time the whole livery design has been changed since 2006, and is part of a complete refresh of the Icelandair brand.

Before: Icelandair

Photo credit: Joe Pries

Previous Icelandair livery on a Boeing 767-300.

After-Brussels Airlines

Photo credit: Brussels Airlines

Lufthansa Group carrier Brussels Airlines rebranded in November 2021 to mark the end of its restructuring and reinforce its positioning as a customer-friendly airline. The new brand identity includes a new version of the Brussels Airlines signature red and blue colors, now a deeper red and a darker shade of blue. The dotted “b”, which today adorns the tails of its fleet, makes way for 9 dots of different sizes in the form of a square, to represent the diversity of its customers, its destinations and its employees. No dot is alike. The updated logo also makes use of a new, more modern type font. The two words of the brand name are now stacked, with the word “brussels” gaining more importance with its larger size to emphasize the airline’s Belgian identity. The new aircraft livery shows a zoom on the dotted logo on the tails, a fresh white body and a continuation of dots in different shades of blue and grey. Next to the new visual identity, the new brand identity also translates into a new tagline: “You’re in good company”.

Before-Brussels Airlines

Photo credit: Rob Finlayson

Before-Breeze Airways

Photo credit: Breeze Airways

US startup LCC Breeze Airways launched operations on May 27, 2021, with service from Florida’s Tampa International Airport (TPA) to South Carolina’s Charleston International Airport (CHS). The Utah-based carrier, founded by entrepreneur David Neeleman—who also launched WestJet, JetBlue and Azul Brazilian Airlines, among others—is targeting unserved markets in “cities that have been forgotten or neglected.” Currently, Breeze serves 16 US airports, offering the most capacity from CHS, New Orleans Louis Armstrong (MSY) and TPA. Breeze is eyeing rapid expansion and seeking network growth opportunities across the Americas, the Caribbean and Western Europe. The airline presently operates six Embraer E190s and three E195s. Three E190s are parked/in reserve and a single aircraft if parked.

After-Breeze Airways

Photo credit: Airbus

US startup Breeze Airways expanded its Airbus A220-300 order book by 20 aircraft for a total of 80 of the jets on order. The order was previously categorized as undisclosed in Airbus’ backlog, and the announcement coincided with Breeze unveiling a new livery for its A220 fleet. The Utah-headquartered airline plans to take delivery of its first aircraft during the fourth quarter of 2021.

Aegean A320: Before

Credit: Rob FinlaysonAegean Airlines A320 old livery

Aegean A320: After

Credit: Aegean AirlinesAegean Airlines entered a new era of growth Feb. 12, 2020 with the delivery of three Airbus A320neos, powered by Pratt & Whitney GTF engines. The Greek flag carrier also officially revealed its new livery and brand identity on the new aircraft, which was placed in scheduled service Feb. 14, from its Athens hub to Munich. Aegean Airlines CEO Dimitris Gerogiannis said, “2020 signifies a new beginning with a new dynamic, new potential and new identity for Aegean. The next 24 months will be extremely creative for us, since we will design our renewed product offering.”

Lufthansa: Before

Rob FinlaysonLufthansa A340-600 in old, iconic livery.

Lufthansa: After

Boeing

Boeing 747-8 in new Lufthansa livery, which was unveiled Feb. 7, 2018. The new, modernized brand image that drops the gray from the underside and engines as well as the yellow circle behind the company’s 100-year-old crane logo on the tail for a purely blue-and-white exterior.

 

Lufthansa: Before and After

Kurt Hofmann

A Boeing 747-8I in the new livery sits in front of an Airbus A380 with the old color scheme at Frankfurt airport

Scandinavian Airlines: Before

Rob FinlaysonSAS Airbus A320neo

Scandinavian Airlines: After

SAS

Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) revealed an update of its aircraft livery Sept. 19, 2019. The new color scheme, the airline’s first revision of its livery for more than 20 years, sees its traditional blue tailfin extended over the rear fuselage, while the engine nacelles lose their traditional orange in favor of silver-gray with a blue band and the name “Scandinavian.” This is an A350.

 

United Airlines: Before

Rob Finlayson

United Boeing 737-800 in post-merger livery when United and Continental Airlines merged in 2010.

United Airlines: After

United Airlines

United Airlines unveiled a new, modernized livery in April 2019.

Aer Lingus: Before

Rob FinlaysonAer Lingus A330-200

Aer Lingus: After

Aer Lingus

Aer Lingus refreshes image in January 2018

Air Arabia: Before

Rob FinlaysonAir Arabia Airbus A320

Air Arabia: After

Air Arabia

UAE-based LCC Air Arabia marked its 15th anniversary with a brand refresh in October 2018. The airline said it retained its symbol, the seagull, modernizing and enlarging its wingspan—a reflection of the carrier’s continuing growth. The new livery reverses out the red and white colors of the fin compared to its predecessor, enlarges the airline’s name on the forward fuselage and largely dispenses with the former light silver-grey shade used on the rear of the fuselage.

WestJet: Before

Rob Finlayson

WestJet: After

WestJet

Calgary-based WestJet unveiled a new livery on a 787-9 rendering that was introduced on its newly delivered Boeing 737-8s in June 2018. WestJet received its first 787-9 in January 2019.

Austrian Airlines: Before

Joe PriesOld livery on an Austrian Airlines Boeing 777-200

Austrian Airlines: After

Austrian Airlines

Lufthansa subsidiary Austrian Airlines unveiled a new branding in 2018.

Gulf Air: Before

Rob Finlayson

Gulf Air A320 in old livery.

Gulf Air: After

Gulf Air/Facebook

Gulf Air's new branding revealed April 6, 2018. 

UTair Aviation: Before

Rob Finlayson

Russia's UTair Aviation Boeing 737-500 in old livery.

Utair Aviation: After

Wikimedia

New Utair Aviation livery, which was rebranded Oct. 31, 2017.

Air Transat: Before

AirbusOld Air Transat livery on an Airbus A321neo.

Air Transat: After

Air Transat

Canada’s Air Transat unveiled a new livery Nov. 13 as the leisure carrier celebrated its 30th anniversary at Montréal-Trudeau Airport.

S7 Airlines: Before

Rob Finlayson

S7 Airlines' old livery on an Airbus A320.

S7 Airlines: After

AirbusNew S7 Airlines livery on an Airbus A320neo, July 2017.

Hawaiian Airlines: Before

Rob FinlaysonOld livery on a Hawaiian A330-200.

Hawaiian Airlines: After

Hawaiian Airlines

Hawaiian Airlines unveiled a new livery and brand May 1, 2017. Rendering of new livery on an A330.

Air Canada: Before

Rob FinlaysonAir Canada livery from 2004-early 2017.

Air Canada: After

Air Canada

Air Canada on Feb. 9, 2017 unveiled a new livery for its entire fleet of 300 mainline and regional aircraft, which are being repainted in a “bold black and white design that highlights its iconic red maple leaf encircled ensign, or ‘rondelle,’ that returns to the tail of the flag carrier’s fleet after an absence of 24 years.”

Kuwait Airways: Before

Rob Finlayson

Kuwait Airways Airbus A310-300

Kuwait Airways: After

Kuwait Airways

Kuwait Airways unveiled a new livery on a Boeing 777-300ER in October 2016.

Qantas: History of livery

Qantas

Qantas Airways has unveiled its first livery refresh in nine years Oct. 27, 2016, and has also revealed the configuration for its Boeing 787-9s, which will begin arriving in 2017.

Qantas: Before

Rob Finlayson

Old livery on a Qantas Boeing 737-800.

Qantas: After

Rob FinlaysonNew livery on Qantas Airbus A330-300 in October 2016.

Belavia Belarusian Airlines: Before

Rob Finlayson

Russia's Belavia Belarusian Airlines 737-300 in old livery.

Belavia Belarusian Airlines 737-800: After

Belavia Belarusian Airlines

Russia’s Belavia Belarusian Airlines took delivery Aug. 15, 2016 of the first of three new Boeing 737-800s out of an order placed in 2014. The new 189-seat 737-800, which bears the Minsk-based carrier’s new livery, is configured in a one-class economy layout. 

LAN Airlines: Before

Rob FinlaysonOld livery of Chile-based LAN Airlines A319.

TAM Airlines: Before

Rob Finlayson

Old livery of Brazil's TAM Airlines A319.

LATAM: New

LATAM Airlines Group

LATAM Airlines Group unveiled a new unified livery on April 28, 2016. The rebranding is the culmination of the 2012 merger of Santiago, Chile-based LAN and Brazil’s TAM Airlines under LATAM.

Rossiya: Before

Rob FinlaysonOld Rossiya Airlines' livery on an A320.

Rossiya: After

Aeroflot

Aeroflot Group’s consolidated regional subsidiary Rossiya Airlines has taken delivery of its first Boeing 747 in a new livery. The aircraft was previously operated by Transaero.

CityJet: Old

Rob FinlaysonOld livery-CityJet Fokker 50

CityJet: New

CityJet/Twitter

New livery unveiled in September 2015. CityJet Avro RJ85

CityJet: New

CityJet/Twitter

New livery-CityJet Avro RJ85 unveiled Sept. 4, 2015.

Dragonair: Before

Cathay

Dragonair A330-300 in old livery

Dragronair rebrands as Cathay Dragon: After

Cathay

Hong Kong-based Dragonair was renamed in January 2016 to Cathay Dragon in an effort to align itself more closely with parent Cathay Pacific. Its aircraft will be repainted with a livery design similar to Cathay Pacific’s. However, the two airlines will continue to be operated separately under their own licenses.

Dragonair tail with Cathay Dragon tail: Before and After

CathayOld Dragonair tail with new Cathay Dragon tail

Alaska Airlines: Before

Rob Finlayson

Boeing 737-800 in old livery.

Alaska Airlines: After

Alaska Airlines

Alaska Airlines on Jan. 25, 2016, unveiled its first major brand change in 25 years on a newly painted Boeing 737-800. The Seattle-based carrier said the refreshed brand will be featured throughout the airport experience, on all digital channels, in marketing materials and across Alaska’s entire fleet.

EasyJet: Before

Rob Finlayson

EasyJet A319 in old livery

EasyJet: After

Airbus

EasyJet A320 in new livery November 2015

EVA Air: Before

Rob Finlayson

Old livery of EVA Air on an A321.

EVA Air: After

Boeing

EVA Air unveiled a new livery as it took delivery of its 22nd Boeing 777-300ER on Nov. 11, 2015.

Vietnam Airlines: Before

Rob Finlayson

Old livery of Vietnam Airlines A330-200.

Vietnam Airlines: After

Airbus

Vietnam Airlines rolled out a new corporate identity to coincide with the launch of a major fleet upgrade in July 2015. The Vietnam flag carrier introduced the new livery during the 2015 rollout of its first Airbus A350-900 and Boeing 787-9 aircraft.

The airline’s new look was unveiled at a ceremony at Hanoi’s Noi Bai International Airport, and marks what the management calls “a major leap forward in [our] plans to establish [ourselves] as one of Asia’s premier airlines by 2020.”

 

Pictured: Vietnam Airlines A350-900

Alitalia: Before

Courtesy, Airbus

Alitalia A330-200 in old livery

Alitalia: After

Courtesy, Alitalia

In June 2015, Alitalia introduced a new brand, aircraft livery and visual identity on an Airbus A330-200 as the Italian flag carrier revitalizes its business. It also announced product upgrades across all classes of service on its international widebody fleet.

Wizz Air: Before

Courtesy, Airbus

Wizz Air old livery on A320.

Wizz Air unveils new livery: After

Photo: Courtesy, Wizz Air YouTube video screenshot

Newly listed Wizz Air celebrated its 11th anniversary in May 2015, which it used to unveil its new aircraft livery and branding. Its new Airbus A320 and A321 deliveries throughout 2015 will be in the new livery. Other initiatives in 201 include new uniforms with refreshed brand colors and new A321 interiors from November.

Southwest Airlines: Before

By Rob Finlayson

Southwest Airlines old livery on a Boeing 737-500

Southwest Airlines: After

Courtesy, Southwest

Southwest Airlines in September 2014 unveiled a new logo and brand overhaul—named Heart—which it said puts the airline’s heart on display after a year of change for the Dallas-based carrier.

Etihad Airways: Before

By Rob Finlayson

Etihad Airways' old livery on a Boeing 777-300ER

Etihad Airways: After

Courtesy, Boeing

Etihad Airways unveils new livery on a Boeing 787-9 in September 2014.

Spirit Airlines: Before

Courtesy, Spirit Airlines

Spirit Airlines old livery on an Airbus A319

Spirit Airlines: After

Courtesy, Spirit Airlines

Spirit Airlines A320 in new livery, unveiled in October 2014.

American Airlines: Before and After

By Rob Finlayson

In January 2013, American Airlines unveiled an updated look, with new logo and livery, for the first time in more than 40 years.

Over the years, airlines sometimes change their liveries because of a merger or re-branding, or just to give a fresher and more eye-pleasing look.  

Linda Blachly

Linda Blachly is Senior Associate Editor for Air Transport World and Aviation Week. She joined the company in July 2010 and is responsible for producing features for Air Transport World’s monthly magazine and engaging content for the aviationweek.com. She is based in the Washington DC office.

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