June 14, 1991
On June 14, 1991 Continental sought to repair it’s tattered image by introducing a new business-like look emphasizing it’s global reach. Replacing “the red meatball” was a globe icon based on the real thing seen on the cover at the site of the 1964 New York World’s Fair.
CO had such an awful reputation back then and now I would say that they probably have the best public perception of the remaining big six . I always remember a guy who ran a shuttle service at AKL had a contract for delivering mishandled baggage to pax ... he was very upset when CO pulled out of New Zealand in 1993 (?) because at that time they used to 'mishandle' more luggage than all the other carriers operating into AKL combined . Wish you would start back to AKL ( though I can't see it happening anytime in the next few years ) Congrats to CO employees though for making so much positive happen to what was a complete dog of an airline
Moderation in all things ... including moderation ;-)
Flight7E7 From United States of America, joined Aug 2005, 103 posts, RR: 0 Reply 5, posted (7 years 4 months 3 days 18 hours ago) and read 7088 times:
If you have not done so already, please read "From Worst to First" by Gordon Bethune, former CEO of CO.
This is an inspiring book and one of great interest to those who are entrepreneurs or if you have aspirtations to get into a management position at any airline.
One single deal with Boeing and the aircraft painting company at that time (CO was virtually destitute) made CO what it is today-as well as it's people.
Just flew them again from SJO/EWR-the service was outstanding, airplane immaculate and the crew one of the friendliest aloft. The high morale is evident....COngratulations. Fine job and fine airline.
WGW2707 From United States of America, joined Aug 2003, 1197 posts, RR: 38 Reply 6, posted (7 years 4 months 3 days 17 hours ago) and read 7003 times:
The livery was actually designed by Lippincott Mercer (then called Lippincott & Margulies), one of the pioneering branding and corporate identity houses. They did an interesting job. I also liked the Saul Bass-designed predeccessor identity as well, though I will say it was definitely stronger in its original incarnation-with a black globe on the tail-than it was after its 1980s modification, in which the black globe was repainted to a red color. It annoys me greatly, when, for no good reason, a great design is messed with. By 1991, the equities associated with the Continental brand as it had been were so negative the L&M rebrand was an absolute neccessity, and Bethune deserves credit for accelerating the company-wide transition to the new look.
Kiwiandrew From New Zealand, joined Jun 2005, 8435 posts, RR: 14 Reply 7, posted (7 years 4 months 3 days 16 hours ago) and read 6991 times:
Quoting WGW2707 (Reply 6): though I will say it was definitely stronger in its original incarnation-with a black globe on the tail-than it was after its 1980s modification, in which the black globe was repainted to a red color
I agree , I never understood why the meatball changed from black to red
( unless it was a sly reference to the bottom line !)
gold and black looked much better ( although if it were still around now it would probably look tragically 70sish)
Moderation in all things ... including moderation ;-)
LTBEWR From United States of America, joined Jan 2004, 12333 posts, RR: 12 Reply 9, posted (7 years 4 months 3 days 15 hours ago) and read 6896 times:
It it a 'classic' yet modern, clean, simple and almost elegant design, that still looks fresh 14-15 years later. Yes, it is a variation of the 'euro-white' design theme, but it still works well, making a businesslike statement, noting the true global reach and attitude of CO. To some extent it is echos other classic and well done designs like that of Pan Am and TWA.
SAIL52115 From United States of America, joined Oct 2005, 89 posts, RR: 0 Reply 10, posted (7 years 4 months 3 days 15 hours ago) and read 6857 times:
Quoting Kiwiandrew (Reply 7): gold and black looked much better ( although if it were still around now it would probably look tragically 70sish)
Yes...but tragic 70s ish are hip and cool now! And if CO made a change, don't you think the gold cheat line would be very cool in an expanded color role on the fuselage?
I sell real estate as part of my living, and I must tell you: shag carpet is making a comeback. And these units sell as the shag usually does it! I have even written contracts stating that a rake must be included as well! (Hey, you old farts: Remember those?)
Xkorpyoh From United States of America, joined Oct 2004, 813 posts, RR: 0 Reply 12, posted (7 years 4 months 3 days 15 hours ago) and read 6821 times:
Quoting LTBEWR (Reply 9): simple and almost elegant design, that still looks fresh 14-15 years later.
to me it looks outdated. That globe theme has been used by so many companies that doesn't seem unique anymore.
I hope that when they get the new 787 that they change the livery and uniforms. the navy blue typical uniform is so boring and outdated and the livery needs more color or redesign
SAIL52115 From United States of America, joined Oct 2005, 89 posts, RR: 0 Reply 13, posted (7 years 4 months 3 days 14 hours ago) and read 6794 times:
Quoting Kiwiandrew (Reply 11): yes , it usually does Big grin ( sorry , a little Brit-English humour there ... if you don't understand ask someone English , or Kiwi , or Australian )
Ha! IN some cases, yes, that kinda works. Vice is never bad...
Ptharris From United States of America, joined Dec 2005, 282 posts, RR: 5 Reply 14, posted (7 years 4 months 3 days 8 hours ago) and read 6522 times:
Quoting Flight7E7 (Reply 5): Just flew them again from SJO/EWR-the service was outstanding, airplane immaculate and the crew one of the friendliest aloft. The high morale is evident....COngratulations. Fine job and fine airline.
You must have had first class or something. I flew CO about 2 years ago from PDX to EWR (the last time if I can help it) and the plane was filthy, service was crap, we were cramped in those cattle seats they call coach class. The seat in front of me was so damned close, I felt I had to exchange phone numbers with the person in that seat. It's nice to see that you're such a supporter of CO. Someone has to.
If at first you don't succeed, skydiving isn't for you.
MarshalN From Hong Kong, joined Sep 2005, 1521 posts, RR: 0 Reply 15, posted (7 years 4 months 3 days 8 hours ago) and read 6491 times:
Quoting Ptharris (Reply 14): You must have had first class or something. I flew CO about 2 years ago from PDX to EWR (the last time if I can help it) and the plane was filthy, service was crap, we were cramped in those cattle seats they call coach class. The seat in front of me was so damned close, I felt I had to exchange phone numbers with the person in that seat. It's nice to see that you're such a supporter of CO. Someone has to.
Is CO any worse than any other airline in seat pitch? I didn't think so...
AA737-823 From United States of America, joined Mar 2000, 5340 posts, RR: 11 Reply 16, posted (7 years 4 months 3 days 7 hours ago) and read 6466 times:
Looks like someone doesn't know how to surf the web... and find seat pitch numbers...
What's that? Other airlines are flying 30" seat pitches in their 30+ year old DC-9 aircraft all day long? And CO is flying 31 or more in their brand new 737NG? Huh... Who knew... oh wait, everybody knew.
I sit on the face about my favorite airline's livery. I like it, it's very business like... but it uses a lot of white, grey, and blue. It's kinda dull. It lacks flair. I would LOVE to see a proud bird with a golden tail. Red would be nice.
I think the current blue-n-globe livery is a bit 90s.
Either way, I don't think it's something for the airline to spend money on just yet. They can milk it until the 787 comes online.
AF-A319 From France, joined Oct 1999, 603 posts, RR: 4 Reply 17, posted (7 years 4 months 3 days 7 hours ago) and read 6460 times:
Quoting Flight7E7 (Reply 5): If you have not done so already, please read "From Worst to First" by Gordon Bethune, former CEO of CO.
This is an inspiring book and one of great interest to those who are entrepreneurs or if you have aspirtations to get into a management position at any airline.
Sorry, a bit off topic, but I had to say that if this book is a good read, it's also a Gordon Bethune's ego-trip !
UH60FtRucker From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 18, posted (7 years 4 months 3 days 7 hours ago) and read 6443 times:
I don't know why, but I've always liked this particular concept for CO's next livery. Granted, the 787 doesn't look like that anymore... but it's still a nice livery.
Worldflyer From United States of America, joined Jun 2005, 39 posts, RR: 0 Reply 19, posted (7 years 4 months 3 days 7 hours ago) and read 6401 times:
CO's globe logo is an abstract of the Unisphere, the Theme Symbol of the 1964/1965 New York World's Fair. Today it stands in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park.
The airline used the structure on the cover of its June 14, 1991 timetable:
JBLUA320 From United States of America, joined May 2002, 3160 posts, RR: 21 Reply 20, posted (7 years 4 months 3 days 6 hours ago) and read 6302 times:
I like the current Continental livery a lot... It isn't the most interesting, but it isn't dull, either. It's fresh, it's professional, and most importantly, it doesn't look like it was designed by a child in first grade!
GARPD From UK - Scotland, joined Aug 2005, 2308 posts, RR: 4 Reply 21, posted (7 years 4 months 3 days 6 hours ago) and read 6249 times:
Quoting UH60FtRucker (Reply 18): I don't know why, but I've always liked this particular concept for CO's next livery. Granted, the 787 doesn't look like that anymore... but it's still a nice livery.
Bah! Horrible
CO's current tail logo is a classic and one that should never be tampered with, just like AA.
Sure, the fuselage and titles could do with a little clean up, but the tail should stay as it is.
Lincoln From United States of America, joined Nov 2004, 3887 posts, RR: 8 Reply 23, posted (7 years 4 months 3 days 4 hours ago) and read 6096 times:
Quoting Flight7E7 (Reply 5): If you have not done so already, please read "From Worst to First" by Gordon Bethune, former CEO of CO.
Somewhat on subject for this thread...
a) In the book Gordon makes reference to a large number of livieries on the property at the time. What were they?
b) Gordon also makes reference to how the entire fleet was repainted in the new scheme relatively quickly, how was this accomplished?
Quoting Ptharris (Reply 14): You must have had first class or something. I flew CO about 2 years ago from PDX to EWR (the last time if I can help it) and the plane was filthy, service was crap, we were cramped in those cattle seats they call coach class.
I'm sorry you weren't satisfied with your flight, but IMHO Continental has the best (with United as a close 2nd) domestic product of any legacy airline-- and potentially any airline. They don't have the worst pitch in the industry, and I've never been on a plane taht I would call dirty. First class is an amazing experience/product, but coach isn't anything to sneeze at compared to other airlines' coach products.
Lincoln
[26,000 miles on CO between July 1, 2005 and December 31, 2005...all domestic, only about 4,500 in First)
CO Is My Airline of Choice || Baggage Claim is an airline's last chance to disappoint a customer || Next flts in profile
Luisca From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 24, posted (7 years 4 months 3 days 3 hours ago) and read 6052 times:
Quoting Lincoln (Reply 23): Quoting Ptharris (Reply 14):
You must have had first class or something. I flew CO about 2 years ago from PDX to EWR (the last time if I can help it) and the plane was filthy, service was crap, we were cramped in those cattle seats they call coach class.
I'm sorry you weren't satisfied with your flight, but IMHO Continental has the best (with United as a close 2nd) domestic product of any legacy airline-- and potentially any airline. They don't have the worst pitch in the industry, and I've never been on a plane taht I would call dirty. First class is an amazing experience/product, but coach isn't anything to sneeze at compared to other airlines' coach products.
This is the first time I have heard someone say this. Even non aviation fans always return extremely satisfied from a CO flight. They always come back saying CO is the best US airline.
25 Jacobcal: I've always wondered what other color schemes they considered before deciding on the current one. I love our paint job, still looks very clean and cla
26 CRGsFuture: Personally the CO paint job is one of the best in the business and one that should never be changed. I love how it is crisp clean fresh and is just an
27 SCCutler: Off the top of my head, I can recall the hybrid beige (ex PeoplExpress) colors; the ex-Texas International DC-9s, there may still have been some ex-F
28 Dtwclipper: How about red with a white tail and red meatball?
30 N200WN: Right on. The current tail logo is great and it should last for many more years (like the old PanAm globe). But I think the fuselage could use just a
31 ORDagent: I have to agree that the CO current livery is one of the best and will probably be here for a VERY long time as it is pretty timeless right there with
32 Centrair: I love the logo. My company also used a similar design for a project. If you want to show that you are a global company...show a globe. I just wish I
33 GARPD: You sound quite bitter. I flew with CO EDI-EWR-PBI-NAS-FLL-EWR-EDI and I found the service first rate, even though I was in cattle class. Great food,
34 Lincoln: Wow, that is quite an assortment of liveries. Thanks for posting that. Now... ... any details about "Continental's Houston Proud Express"? I don't th
35 Boeingguy1: Stop complaining. CO has the best Coach service domestically in the US of the legacies. Want first class? PAY FOR IT.
36 AKelley728: One question - how many times have you flown CO? If you're basing your opinion on CO on just one flight, that's pretty pathetic. Even the best have t
37 NateDAL: Even as a native Houstonian, I don't remember that one. So, I looked it up. Continental's Houston Proud Express (by Syncmaster Jul 9 2005 in Civil Av
38 WDBRR: Seems interesting that Eastern folded 01/18/91 and the new logo started in February 1991.
40 Ptharris: Maybe a vision of world conquest? LOL! Yeah, thought the dates were a bit odd.
41 ContnlEliteCMH: Nobody "has to." See, some of us fly a lot, for real. You know, where we actually get on an airplane and fly, not sit behing a monitor and keyboard a
42 AAden: i love their globe one of the better tail designs out there. I like the old look better though.
43 Lincoln: Frank Lorenzo did have visions of world conquest and tried to acheive them through what is now known as Continental (very little of the original CO,
44 WesternA318: I would say Hard Landing is one of the better writings out there now. It describes what happened mainly in the late 70's to the end of the 80's. Altho
45 Dtwclipper: Texas International was indeed the surviving entity, but took the CO name. New York Air was set up by the holding company, Texas Air corp, as a non-u
46 Hawk44: I remember flying only CO as a kid mostly on 727's into EWR from FLL I sure do miss the old "meatball" There is no way I can transfer DL miles over to
47 AKelley728: Nope, but you can redeem DL miles for CO flights.
48 N200WN: I think "Hard Landing" is one of the best. Another book from about the same time period is Airline Odyssey: The Airline Industry's Turbulent Flight I
49 APFPilot1985: I'm reading it as we speak (type?) for like the 4th time, it is a great book.
50 Ptharris: Out of line. No need to bash a hobby you snooty moron. Geese, some people can't even get out of their own way. You're one of them. While what he did
51 WesternA318: Is it just me, or is what Enron did not quite as bad as what Lorenzo did?
52 Antoniemey: I'd put them on the same level-ish. And Northwest is inching pretty close to that level right now, too (In my own, not so humble opinion).
53 DrupyUSE: Maybe the use of the past tense is foreign to you (was and were) but I think that maybe Ptharris is talking about how much CO has improved.
54 MX757: I've noticed some of the messages on this thread about when CO might change it's livery from the current one. I thought about it and came up with this
Sponsor Message: 
From United Kingdom, joined Oct 2004, 245 posts, 
From New Zealand, joined Jun 2005, 8435 posts, 
From United States of America, joined Jan 2005, 759 posts, 
( sorry , a little Brit-English humour there ... if you don't understand ask someone English , or Kiwi , or Australian )
From Hong Kong, joined Sep 2005, 1521 posts, 
From France, joined Oct 1999, 603 posts, 
From UK - Scotland, joined Aug 2005, 2308 posts, 
Printer friendly format 
