Richierich From United States of America, joined Nov 2000, 4023 posts, RR: 6 Posted (9 years 10 months 3 weeks 9 hours ago) and read 4973 times:
I normally like the status quo, especially when concerning a topic near and dear to my heart: airline color schemes.
But American Airline's scheme is ancient and, in my mind, ugly. Polished aluminum may have looked good in the 50s, but I don't find it attractive at all circa 2003. Especially when more and more parts on modern aircraft are made of composite materials, and can only painted a battleship grey color to match the polished look of the rest of the aircraft. The result: an even uglier combination of colors and textures.
It is time to bring AA up to the 00's. Incorporate the US flag or the stars and stripes, but lose the steel and metallic look (I don't care that having no paintwork means less maintenance or better fuel economy!)
The truth is, I liked the final TWA scheme. I thought it was classy and true to its heritage without having to go overboard and resort to cartoons or other craziness on the side of its planes. I know purists still cry over the demise of the red and white TWA planes, but they were outdated too, and now of course all those planes where the aforementioned AA "colors" anyway!
Note to AA: please update your colors and lose the tacky steel/grey effect. Just don't do what NWA did... they took a good color scheme and made it into a monstrosity. It will take a while for the new colors of Northwest to grow on me.
Luv2fly From United States of America, joined May 2003, 11957 posts, RR: 51 Reply 1, posted (9 years 10 months 3 weeks 9 hours ago) and read 4903 times:
I agree that AA needs an update and soon. Tho by not painting the planes it does save on overall weight of the planes. I think what NW has done to change there CS's is a very good idea in this day and age, lower costs, less paint and life cycle of the paint job goes from 5 years to 6 years.
Richierich From United States of America, joined Nov 2000, 4023 posts, RR: 6 Reply 2, posted (9 years 10 months 3 weeks 9 hours ago) and read 4835 times:
That's true about NWA's new scheme.. less is IN!
But I just hope AA throws some red, white and blue on the plane instead. They should take a page out of their Oneworld partner's book (British) and come up with a scheme that is classy and elegant.
Duke From Canada, joined Sep 1999, 1135 posts, RR: 2 Reply 3, posted (9 years 10 months 3 weeks 9 hours ago) and read 4786 times:
Well, that would be a whole lot of planes to paint! That
would be an extremely expensive job and with the company's
finances not exactly shipshape, I don't know. Plus, once
more, the advantage of less weight. But if, say, they were to
paint future deliveries, maybe they could. But if they do so,
I hope that one way or another, they'll make them look smart
and not tacky. Any concrete ideas for a livery?
Luv2fly From United States of America, joined May 2003, 11957 posts, RR: 51 Reply 4, posted (9 years 10 months 3 weeks 9 hours ago) and read 4758 times:
I agree about BA's CS's I think AA could do something similar on the tails of there planes.
Tekelberry From United States of America, joined May 2003, 1459 posts, RR: 5 Reply 5, posted (9 years 10 months 3 weeks 9 hours ago) and read 4748 times:
AA is in no financial situation to start repainting all their planes right now.
Richierich From United States of America, joined Nov 2000, 4023 posts, RR: 6 Reply 6, posted (9 years 10 months 3 weeks 9 hours ago) and read 4699 times:
Well, it is true, there is an enormous cost to painting the planes that AA can't afford right now.
But image counts for a lot in this business. And right now their image is hurting, especially post 9/11. The time for a change is nigh.
I'd like to see something involving the Stars & Stripes... even though the US does not have one official flag carrier, American is arguable the closest to one. It has to be patriotic yet inoffensive. Something that inspires and that is not sterile. While it can relate to AA schemes of the past, I hope there is little or no grey/silver/unpainted areas.
Oh, and it can't be wildly different, as NWA and Japan Air Lines recently decided to do with their awful new schemes.
Caetravlr From United States of America, joined Oct 2000, 898 posts, RR: 1 Reply 7, posted (9 years 10 months 3 weeks 8 hours ago) and read 4641 times:
I personally don't mind the silver/metallic look. I like that part. Though I do agree with the fact that more and more composite parts are going to clash with this.
However, even if they did keep the metallic/silver theme, the 3 stripes down the fuselage, and the "American" font are simply quite dated and get uglier by the day. I actually like the retrojets they did, but don't think an entire fleet would look good in that. They do need to do something with the current scheme though. That would be my opinion.
Didn't someone say something one time about something special they did to the aluminum making it actually difficult/impossible to paint all of the skin anyway? I may be making that part up, but I thought I read that somewhere. However, change the font of the lettering, and ditch the stripes, and you have a nice start.
Regards,
CAETravlr
A woman drove me to drink and I didn't have the decency to thank her. - W.C. Fields
Greg From United Kingdom, joined May 2005, 0 posts, RR: 0 Reply 8, posted (9 years 10 months 3 weeks 8 hours ago) and read 4635 times:
It's a true classic and every bit as pleasing as the best of the new liveries been applied out there.
Nothing about it needs to change with the simple possibility of cleaning the planes more often.
There is no marketing or monetary reason for the change.
Again, what's good for the enthusiast is rarely of any value to the operation of the the airline.
AIR757200 From United States of America, joined Jul 2000, 1579 posts, RR: 8 Reply 10, posted (9 years 10 months 3 weeks 8 hours ago) and read 4556 times:
Let's paint it all one color like every other airline?
Greg's post is how I feel about AA's livery. No change is needed. AA's image of the red-white-blue on polish is very important and means a great deal to the inner-culture, from employees to management.
In reference to composite parts, a nice bright silver scheme in replacement to the polish would look nice. Everything else remains the same.
Portions Section 4 of my Employee Guidebook (copyright 2000-AMR Training Group, Inc.);
A painted MD-11, our largest airplane, would weight about 250 pounds more than a polished one. On average, painting our fleet would increase the weight of each airplane 130 pounds. Since each pound of fleet weight adds about $8,000 per year of fuel expense at today's prices, not painting the fleet saves us about one million dollars annually in fuel costs alone.
And much more info... So obviously, recalculate the numbers into today's terms (and minus the MD-11).
Flyingbronco05 From United States of America, joined May 2002, 3838 posts, RR: 3 Reply 11, posted (9 years 10 months 3 weeks 8 hours ago) and read 4543 times:
There is no need to change it.
ATC's love the livery cause the planes are so easy to spot (easier then other planes).
I think AA has the best livery out of all the airlines.
Cedarjet From United Kingdom, joined exactly 14 years ago today! , 7708 posts, RR: 55 Reply 12, posted (9 years 10 months 3 weeks 8 hours ago) and read 4538 times:
Why change it? It doesn't look out of date at all. Some airlines never quite get it right and need to change every ten years to keep abreast of fashion(NW, UA), but AA got it right back in 1968 or whenever it was.
fly Saha Air 707s daily from Tehran's downtown Mehrabad to Mashhad, Kish Island and Ahwaz
Clrd2go From United States of America, joined Feb 2003, 1000 posts, RR: 0 Reply 13, posted (9 years 10 months 3 weeks 8 hours ago) and read 4510 times:
Luv2fly From United States of America, joined May 2003, 11957 posts, RR: 51 Reply 14, posted (9 years 10 months 3 weeks 8 hours ago) and read 4486 times:
It does need to be updated! Maybe not a total overhaul tho it could be brought into the year 2003. I am a BIG fan of the red white and blue tho I feel that the AA CS's has become tired and in need of a face lift.
Alitalia744 From United States of America, joined Mar 2000, 4658 posts, RR: 45 Reply 15, posted (9 years 10 months 3 weeks 8 hours ago) and read 4481 times:
Leave AA's as is, and while we're at it, isn't Alitalia's livery fierce as well?
Gnomon From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 16, posted (9 years 10 months 3 weeks 8 hours ago) and read 4413 times:
It would make sense if AA were to change its livery now, for the following reasons:
1.) New management. AA's management team, headed by Arpey, is admittedly a team of AA old-timers, but airlines historically have changed their image within a couple of years of hiring new management (DL, NW, US, TW, CO, etc.).
2.) Brand association. Images of AA's current livery, while memorable, established, and familiar, swarmed around Sept. 11, with commonly circulated footage of one of its 767s flying into the World Trade Center. Moreover, the familiar A'A eagle logo made the front page and news teasers around the world when AA587 crashed and recovery crews fished the intact tail and AA logo out of the water. Although most studies indicate consumers will forget about those images -- and thus lose those associations -- within a matter of months, it still should figure importantly into new management's thinking about the AA image.
3.) A symbolic move. Changing the carrier's graphic image could easily signify to customers and employees the beginning of a new era at the carrier, doing away with the tired business and service model, and creating a new one. Changing the livery and concurrently implementing a recovery plan worked at CO in the mid-90s, and helped align employees with Mullin's vision at DL (or so I'm told). It also could be an option at AA.
For discussion's sake, all that said, my vote would be to keep it. I'd hate to see AA's familiar colors go. Plus, granted, I'm no visual artist or designer, but supposing AA wants to keep its bare-metal look, I can't think of anything with red, white, and blue on bare metal that looks better than the current scheme.
Cedarjet From United Kingdom, joined exactly 14 years ago today! , 7708 posts, RR: 55 Reply 17, posted (9 years 10 months 3 weeks 7 hours ago) and read 4394 times:
Alitalia's livery is indeed fierce. As fresh as ever. Nice one Alitalia744.
fly Saha Air 707s daily from Tehran's downtown Mehrabad to Mashhad, Kish Island and Ahwaz
Alpha 1 From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 18, posted (9 years 10 months 3 weeks 7 hours ago) and read 4373 times:
Tekelberry is right: changing liveries can spice things up, and give a carrier a new, fresh look, but AA needs their cash for other, more important things right now.
As far as changing it, I'm against it. I think the AA livery is simple, classic and very business-like. It's not fancy, but it's solid.
Milemaster From United States of America, joined Mar 2001, 1009 posts, RR: 2 Reply 19, posted (9 years 10 months 3 weeks 7 hours ago) and read 4346 times:
I never understood why it's such a big deal as to how an airline paints it's aircrcraft.
I feel it's a big deal when an airline doesn't have to paint it's aircraft to put it in it's fleet. To me that's worth discussing..
I also read somewhere that they don't have to worry about EPA guidelines and other paint related environmental concerns.
As Greg said earlier, "what's good for the enthusiast is rarely of any value to the operation of the the airline."
STT757 From United States of America, joined Mar 2000, 16260 posts, RR: 52 Reply 20, posted (9 years 10 months 3 weeks 7 hours ago) and read 4338 times:
AA's livery is classy, a couple of tweaks here and there might not be bad but definetly keep the polished base.
DodgeCharger From United States of America, joined Jun 2003, 210 posts, RR: 0 Reply 21, posted (9 years 10 months 3 weeks 7 hours ago) and read 4257 times:
Gnomon has a big point with brand association. It's a very recognizable scheme. Does it look good to rebrand your image and aircraft every 10-15 years? Marketing is the key here. Everyone knows that when you see the familiar AA logo it's an American Airlines plane. Companies (not just airlines) spend billions every year just to get some sort of brand recognition with their brands. Just a logo alone can mean a lot. Think about it....everyone recognizes the Coca-Cola logo, the Disney logo, the Chevy logo, the Ford logo, etc.... These logos bring about subconscious thoughts whether good or bad. This is exactly what companies spend billions on doing...building a brand recognition. They of course hope it would be a postive reaction to seeing it of course, that's a whole different topic.
Think about someone who has little knowledge of aviation, are they going to know what the new NWA airlines planes looks like? NWA now has to put extra money into publicity to let the public now about their new aircraft image. AA has built a huge brand recognition on their AA logo and red American title alone. Why change that? Sure it may be old...so is Coca-Colas. The AA is recognizable everywhere American flies. Seeing the same paint scheme for 25 years now looks good and shows signs of stability (even though American is anything but stable right now) But, it is all about marketing your product. A easily recognizable, long standing logo usually is a positive thing.
And just so you know my opinion...Growing up here in Dallas, I am ready for a change. All I see is those familiar AA logos since about 95% of the traffic is American. So yes, I would love to see a change someday. But, it's not about what me and a bunch of other spotters think
RayChuang From United States of America, joined Jun 2000, 7695 posts, RR: 5 Reply 22, posted (9 years 10 months 3 weeks 7 hours ago) and read 4234 times:
I don't think AA will change its livery anytime soon.
It's a GREAT looking livery, and it's actually cheaper for AA to use this livery for two reasons: 1) it saves some as much as 200 kg on weight per plane and 2) it's a lot cheaper to apply anti-corrosion coatings and reapply new decals than to repaint the plane every C or D check.
I mean think about it: every since AA implemented the current livery around 1969, other US-based airlines have changed their liveries more than once. US did it twice, CO did it twice, DL did it three times, NW did it three times, and UA did it three times.
Petertenthije From Netherlands, joined Jul 2001, 3231 posts, RR: 13 Reply 23, posted (9 years 10 months 3 weeks 7 hours ago) and read 4201 times:
They should not change it completely but rather update it.
Paint the surfaces that are more and more often composite. Throw some paint on the tail and the nose and the fleet should look a lot more professional. I personnally do not think it looks professional to have the entire plane shiny(ish) except for some parts. It looks as though those parts came in second hand.
HlywdCatft From United States of America, joined Jan 2001, 5321 posts, RR: 7 Reply 24, posted (9 years 10 months 3 weeks 7 hours ago) and read 4172 times:
Once AA pulls out of their financial problems they should maybe look at doing a slight change, nothing too drastic- keep the silver and keep the eagle.
Right now they cant even afford to pay a designer.
25 Tekelberry: And right now their image is hurting, especially post 9/11. How so? I would like them to keep it the way it is. I think it looks great on all their ai
26 747-451: No! leave it alone--and what? risk disaster like Northwest and Delta with an trocious livery...please, leave well enough alone!
27 Tekelberry: risk disaster like Northwest and Delta with an trocious livery...please, leave well enough alone! Although I agree with you that they should keep the
28 AIR757200: the basic traveller is not going to care about what their plane looks like as long as there is an airline logo on it. It doesn't even help them find t
29 Bigphilnyc: AA is tied for first with my favorite paint shemes. I LOVE the metallic shine on it. No other plane gives you the kind of glare that you get on it. Ma
30 Uk_dispatcher: I think AA's livery is timeless, and should be kept for many years to come.
31 LGB Photos: I say leave the AA scheme as it is. I like it very much and I agree that it is classy. Stephen
32 Luisca: LEAVE IT AS IT IS have you ever seen an appoach into miami or into panama (my home city) at sunset, when the sky is orange and the light hits the fuse
33 Elwood64151: Like so many American (meaning US) icons, AAs color scheme is timeless. If you see it, you know exactly what you're looking at. If you change it, you
34 Jsnww81: I'm going to dissent here and agree that the livery should go. Before September 11, I was fairly certain that AA *would* introduce a new scheme at som
35 Ual767ord: keep the AA livery but please NWA your new painting is absolutly awful looking.
36 Marcopolo747: AA's livery is looking definitely outdated but instead of a complete overhaul, the best thing would be keeping the best features the present livery ha
38 KKMolokai: Is the flying public willing to pay a little extra per ticket to help fund a new paint scheme? I think not! AA doesn't even have the $$$ to finish the
39 KKMolokai: Another thought to consider. A new paint scheme would require "re-branding" all around, from airport signage to ticket jackets. That all adds up to a
40 Bwc1976: To me, their current livery looks just as modern on their Super 80's, 757's, 767's, and 777's today as it did on their DC-10's, 727's, and 707's 20+ y
41 Acidradio: A paint scheme is not everything. All of us on A.Net scrutinize an airline in unimaginable ways, way beyond the scope of what many regular travelers w
42 ERJ135: I have to disagree on one point and that is as a passenger I do care what the aircraft looks like, A fresh coat of paint looks good and gives the impr
44 Tan flyr: NO CHANGE NEEDED....it is classic & timeless!
45 CMK10: I'd like to know how AA would plan to pay for this paint, in case you people focused on a better spotting environment and snappier paint haven't notic
47 Tom in NO: A timeless, classic livery, with the look and feel of strength! Thank goodness there's someone around who hasn't followed in the footsteps of US and U
48 Richierich: Well, it seems that a lot of people in here want the AA scheme to stay (I've heard no rumors that AA is planning a change). It is my personal opinion
49 Greg: Unless something has drastically changed, AA has already publicly stated they have no intention of altering their image. These comments have been made
51 Richierich: It's time for it to go.... I know it is wrong of me to think this, but every time I see a AA 767, I think "WTC".
52 UN_B732: WIth their financial status, we won't be seeing anything soon! -UN
53 Richierich: No arguments from me on that last comment! Anyway, I wouldn't not fly on them because of their color scheme (or lack of).
54 Inflightmags: I would say leave the tail and the polish look but probaby change something with the red, white, blue strips..same 3 colors but the strips would not g
55 UA744Flagship: AA is not going to change their paint scheme anytime soon. End of discussion.
56 Superfly: Would some of you people be happy if they went to a generic white fuselage and painted tail? Every airline that changed there 'classic' colors to 'mod
57 SWA TPA: DONT CHANGE!!!! They are beautiful!!! Some of the best looking 737's in the sky. I had to stop and stare when they started flying those 737-800's into
58 Tbear815: Whether AA changes livery or not, the basic Eagle should always be around. The eagle has always been a part of AA from the very beginning and is timel
59 Tekelberry: It's time for it to go.... I know it is wrong of me to think this, but every time I see a AA 767, I think "WTC". If that's really true, I think you ma
60 Dreamexpress: Leave them as they are. if they changed they would have the AA tail with a white body. NOOOOOO.
61 Richierich: Hey Terkel, Sorry I offended you - I guess that was an insensitive comment. I guess I got away from my point, which is I am tired of the color scheme.
62 Futureualpilot: I dont think so, maybe updating the pattern, rather than the straight stripes, but I like the bare metal, looks good if you ask me.
63 Saxman66: AA's paint scheme is a classic and should stay the same. No other airline can glissen and sparkle in the sun like an American plane. Seeing how I indi
64 OzarkD9S: Very passionate feelings on this topic. Myself? I wouldn't mind a few tweaks here and there, but keep the metallic finish. Remember how weird those MD
65 Sllevin: Myself? I wouldn't mind a few tweaks here and there, but keep the metallic finish. Remember how weird those MD-90's looked? Actually, I've always like
66 NWAA330: American's livery always has been and always will be one of the best. We all know whether we want them to or not their not going to change anytime soo
67 La Carlota: I agree it's been around for quite a while and needs to be replaced for a new and much modern look of the airline. But when I see pix like these, I h
68 Greg: No, there is a certain power, grace, and patrotism associated with their livery--it would be like changing the American flag. It's the only scheme out
69 Contrails: No, no, no. The livery does not need to be changed. It works. It's recognized around the world. I've felt something special for it when departing for
70 Ord: The issue of paint vs. bare metal has been cited on this site a million times. Boeing did an extensive study a few years ago and the bare metal look i
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