Selected airline designs throughout history.

TWA
Trans World Airlines was a major American airline that operated from the 1930s to the 2000s. Its bold red and white livery and distinctive twin-globed logo were emblematic of the Jet Age.

A good airline livery should not only look beautiful but also tell a story about where you’re going and what you can expect.
Hugh McKean - Designer of the TWA livery

Singapore Airlines
Singapore Airlines is known for its elegant and luxurious brand identity, which has won numerous awards over the years. Its iconic "Singapore Girl" cabin crew uniform and kebaya design are recognized around the world.


Emirates
Emirates is a relatively new player in the airline industry, having been founded in 1985. However, its striking white and red livery and modern logo featuring an Arabic calligraphy-inspired design have quickly made it one of the most recognizable and respected airlines in the world.


Qantas
Qantas is the national airline of Australia and has been in operation since 1920. Its classic red and white kangaroo logo is instantly recognisable, and the airline's sleek and modern livery has evolved over the years to reflect changing design trends while still maintaining a sense of heritage.


Air France
Air France is the national airline of France and has been in operation since 1933. Its distinctive blue, white, and red livery and winged seahorse logo are well-known around the world. Older logo shown left.
New logo

Lufthansa
Lufthansa is the national airline of Germany and has been in operation since 1953. Its classic yellow and blue livery and stylized crane logo are instantly recognizable and have become synonymous with German precision and engineering.


Pan American World Airways (Pan Am)
The iconic blue globe logo designed by Edward L. Ripley in 1955 became an iconic symbol of luxury air travel and international sophistication in the 1960s and 70s. The logo was featured on everything from the planes themselves to luggage and uniforms, and the brand was synonymous with the golden age of air travel.

The livery is the first thing a passenger sees. It sets the tone for the entire travel experience.
Richard S. "Dick" McCoy, Designer for Pan Am

British Airways
In 1997, British Airways launched a new identity designed by the London-based agency Newell and Sorrell. The design featured the airline's signature "Speedmarque" logo, which was a stylized version of the British Airways flag, as well as a new color scheme of blue, red, and white. The new design was intended to modernize the brand and emphasize its British heritage.

Livery is like a uniform for an airline; it communicates who we are before we even say a word.
David McCulloch - Designer for British Airways

United Airlines
United's livery, introduced in 2019, featured a bold blue and white design with the airline's name spelled out in large letters on the fuselage. This design was intended to emphasise the airline's focus on customer service and modernisation, and to set it apart from its competitors. The globe graphic was taken directly from the Continental livery when the two airlines merged in 2010. The merger prompted the dropping of the existing United 'tulip' logo designed by Saul Bass in 1974. (seen on left).



Alitalia

Sadly Alitalia collapsed in 2020. ITA Airways is Italy’s relatively new airline, having been launched in October 2021. Alitalia had been struggling financially for several years, and the COVID-19 pandemic only worsened its problems. In March 2020, the Italian government took control of the airline and announced plans to launch a new national carrier. ITA Airways was created as a successor to Alitalia, and it took over many of Alitalia’s assets, including its fleet, routes, and staff.
ITA has a dazzling blue paint scheme as a catalyst for its post-Alitalia turnaround. Designed by Landor & Finch, the new branding is far bolder than its predecessors, retaining the Italian flag colours on the tail.
Design is not just about aesthetics; it’s about creating an emotional connection with people.
Giorgio Giugiaro - Renowned Italian designer who worked on Alitalia's livery

Alaska Airlines



Air New Zealand
