America West FlightFund (Pre-2005 US Airways merger) - New Livery Unveiling

OK, the answer to everyones question--the new HP/US livery will be unveiled on August 23rd.
Events are scheduled in Philadelphia (7 a.m.), Pittsburgh (9:30 a.m.), Charlotte (12:30 p.m.), Las Vegas (3:45 p.m.), and Phoenix (6:30 p.m.). All times are local.
Employees are invited to join Chairman, President and CEO Doug Parker, and President and CEO Bruce Lakefield as the first mainline plane with the new look, an Airbus A320, makes its inaugural tour.

I was told about this yesterday by a friend who said it was all hush hush but here's a synopsis of what he said since apparently its out in the open now :)



Basically, it is based on an inverted version of the old scheme, with dark blue font for the logo (the current US logo) over a pearl white body. Not sure whether the belly will be dark or not, but there's also going to be some sort of stylized swooshy element in a slightly different shade of blue.

Also, the CEO says he knows liveries are not very exciting to pax but that they are very important to employees so he is taking the look and feel of the new airline very seriously. So they are going to design a little logo that will go near the front of each plane (maybe where the "name" of the plane is on some airlines) that will be a sort of circle divided into four sections. Each section will have a logo of one of the four cultures that makes up the new US Airways: America West, PSA, Piedmont, and Allegheny.

OK, the answer to everyones question--the new HP/US livery will be unveiled on August 23rd.
Events are scheduled in Philadelphia (7 a.m.), Pittsburgh (9:30 a.m.), Charlotte (12:30 p.m.), Las Vegas (3:45 p.m.), and Phoenix (6:30 p.m.). All times are local.
Employees are invited to join Chairman, President and CEO Doug Parker, and President and CEO Bruce Lakefield as the first mainline plane with the new look, an Airbus A320, makes its inaugural tour.
I'll be at McCarran on the 23rd right around that time... any way to find out where they're doing the unveiling so I can snap a picture or two?

A couple of links from the US Airways board:

Internal corporate announcement of livery event
http://www.justplanenews.com/PDF/LiveryFlyer_US_color.pdf

Independent guesstimate of new livery
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v255/dlac4e/ushplivery.jpg

If you look carefully at the peek behind the curtain in the corporate announcement, you can see the legacy US Air blue belly and red stripe, but with the top 2/3ds in off-white, with AWA southwest effects in dark grey.

Now, look at the independent guesstimate, and it looks pretty darn close to what that would be on a full plane.

Really looking forward to seeing the special legacy logo w/ PSA/Piedmont/Allegheny/AWA. I can just see the smiling PSA noseface icon. Nice recognition of the US employees who regularly painted smiles on their aircraft after the merger.

Interesting! Sounds similar to what my friend described.

That independent guesstimate is an awesome photo.

To bad they'll probably muck the HP stripe scheme on the tail and body.

That independent guesstimate is an awesome photo. . .

Here's another view. (http://www.cardatabase.net/modifiedairlinerphotos/photos/big/00005290.jpg)

OOOOOOOOOO that second picture looks nice! It's almost like the HP livery only now in blue and not green with US's name and logo all over (if this indeed is what the final look ends up being).

I must say I am extremely happy that there will be a livery change to reflect the change of the airline(s) and their melding into one carrier. Now, I wonder what the interiors hold for us.

The guestimates for the new livery were attractive. The squigglies on the tail were a bit toylike for an international airline though. There are a lot worse liveries than the guestimates running around at the moment.

Am i the only one that likes the current usairways livery? I also like the guestimates, just not as much. Probaly because the blue on the tail seems like it does not match up with the rest of the plane. Well i guess we'll all see for sure on the 23rd!

Am i the only one that likes the current usairways livery?

Maybe on this forum. :D US's look is too dreary. Besisdes, it's just not appropriate for this climate.

The squigglies on the tail were a bit toylike for an international airline though.


Are you talking about the tail, or the fuselage? I personally like the Native American motif on the fuselage. It keeps the planes from having that boring white look, and makes HP's aircraft more unique. The tail, however, didn't look as good mostly due to the green & orange colors.

Maybe on this forum. :D US's look is too dreary. Besisdes, it's just not appropriate for this climate.



Are you talking about the tail, or the fuselage? I personally like the Native American motif on the fuselage. It keeps the planes from having that boring white look, and makes HP's aircraft more unique. The tail, however, didn't look as good mostly due to the green & orange colors.


I LOVE US's livery. I think it's simple and classy--a far cut above HP's cheesy white/teal/orange silliness. Then again, we're all entitled to our opinion I guess :cool:

I agree with Byrd on the dark colors not faring well in PHX/LAS climate, but I would have to say teal and orange are also dark, light absorbing colors. Of course this is offset by the disproportionately amount of white livery.

I LOVE US's livery. I think it's simple and classy--a far cut above HP's cheesy white/teal/orange silliness.

.


My point exactly! yay enviroian you rule!

I LOVE US's livery. I think it's simple and classy--a far cut above HP's cheesy white/teal/orange silliness. Then again, we're all entitled to our opinion I guess :cool:

I agree with Byrd on the dark colors not faring well in PHX/LAS climate, but I would have to say teal and orange are also dark, light absorbing colors. Of course this is offset by the disproportionately amount of white livery.
Can I ask what makes white/teal/orange cheesy and silly? Is it becase they aren't primary colors? Just wondering...

Lance

its not the colors themselves, its how they look on the plane. I know its easy to say that, its obvious. But its true, the colors are very attractive, but i have to say they dont mix well.

I think HP should have gone with that light blue color from their old livery instead of the teal( is that what it is?). That orange isn't helping either. Green(teal) goes with only a handful of colors, and orange isn't one of them.

I agree with Byrd on the dark colors not faring well in PHX/LAS climate,

Can you imagine what HP's fleet would look like after one summer season of heat and duststorms?

Can I ask what makes white/teal/orange cheesy and silly? Is it becase they aren't primary colors? Just wondering...

Lance


Lance, it's not the colors by themselves, it's these color combos together (like Byrd mentioned). They look horrible together IMHO, and do not "match" at all. US's livery is gentle and flowing to the eyes. How can one lose with a subtle blue/grey livery? HP's has marginally attractive colors mismatched together.

Of course...my opinion :)

Ian

Lance, it's not the colors by themselves, it's these color combos together (like Byrd mentioned). They look horrible together IMHO, and do not "match" at all. US's livery is gentle and flowing to the eyes. How can one lose with a subtle blue/grey livery? HP's has marginally attractive colors mismatched together.

Of course...my opinion :)

Ian
I know it's all opinion based, but I see what you mean by mixinig them, not just the colors on their own. I don't find them hideous but I see your point. I like more bold colors as well and I like the new "guess" at the livery very much. I don't really care for the squigglies on the planes either. Thanks for not taking my post the wrong way.

Lance

The new livery will be welcomed as it's a good thing for a new combined airline. I love HP's current scheme...it's different and has a lot of character. Teal and red (it's not orange) go well together and I think it looks great!

If you think the HP color scheme is bad, look at the teal and purple scheme of the city buses in Phoenix.

I don't know why people associate teal and purple with Arizona. The only time we see these colors in PHX is when there's a chemical fire.

If you think the HP color scheme is bad, look at the teal and purple scheme of the city buses in Phoenix.

I don't know why people associate teal and purple with Arizona. The only time we see these colors in PHX is when there's a chemical fire.

Those Valley Metro buses are hideous! I am glad we repainted A/C 907--the old Phoenix Suns plane. It was so faded and just not a good representation of HP. The employees I talk to are real excited about the new livery--we will be at the hangar Tuesday welcoming the new US plane into the fleet.

In today's Arizona Republic (http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/business/articles/0821amwest-paint.html)

Travis Christ, VP of Marketing, regarding the computer-generated images floating around on the Internet that suggests a plane that looks most similar to US Airways' current planes, just much lighter:

"One of them is very close," Christ said.

My bet is on this one. (http://www.cardatabase.net/modifiedairlinerphotos/photos/big/00005290.jpg)

Merger makeover
AmWest, US Airways to unveil 1st plane with new look

Late Monday night, a freshly painted Airbus A320 will emerge from a hangar at a tiny Louisiana airport and take off for Philadelphia.

The plane will pull into a darkened gate at Philadelphia International Airport for the night, ready for its unveiling in a few hours.

At 7 a.m. Tuesday, America West CEO Doug Parker and US Airways CEO Bruce Lakefield will introduce the plane to employees as the new face of the soon-to-be merged airlines. After some brief remarks, they'll hop on the plane for a five-city employee tour that will end that night with a big party at America West's hangar in Phoenix.

The hush-hush new paint scheme will be the symbolic first step by the new US Airways, a preview of the changes to come as the deal closes this fall and the nation's fifth-largest airline is born.

In Phoenix, it will be a sneak peek of the new rush-hour landscape at Sky Harbor when the paint changeover is complete in several years.

America West is the largest carrier at Sky Harbor.

Even though a plane's look, or livery, is cosmetic - the industry's equivalent of a fashion statement - executives at America West and US Airways studied the matter as seriously as other issues ahead of them, from meshing the cultures to route maps.

"It's one thing that people will judge us on," said Travis Christ, vice president of marketing for America West and the point man on the project.

The airline wanted to project the right image from the outset but didn't want to spend millions and millions on a new look given skyrocketing fuel costs and its low-cost mantra.

The plane that debuts the colors on Tuesday will be put into regular service right away, and a handful of other painted planes will join it by the end of the year. . . (More here) (http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/business/articles/0821amwest-paint.html)

There's only one thing missing that I would like to see come back...

http://www.recnet.com/us_plane1.jpg

I would like to see the old PI speedbird somewhere on the plane. I don't like US and I miss PI, if somehow PI were worked into it, I may believe the company was serious of meeting the previous quality standards of PI....

There's only one thing missing that I would like to see come back...

http://www.recnet.com/us_plane1.jpg

Those smiles were fantastic. At least hope the PSA logo they include on the throwback icon will have the smile.

I plan on going to the one in Phoenix .. anyone else going?

Last I heard, it was only going to be open to the media & US/HP employees...

I plan on going to the one in Phoenix .. anyone else going?

Last I heard, it was only going to be open to the media & US/HP employees...

Are you an employee? I'm wondering if there's a place in the airport where I can see it. I'm not going to be flying that day.

Are you an employee? I'm wondering if there's a place in the airport where I can see it. I'm not going to be flying that day.
From what I hear, it will be in the HP hangar. You shoud be able to see it arrive from LAS in the early evening!

I'm flying out to IAH tomorrow afternoon. I'll be on the lookout as we taxi around.

Are you an employee? I'm wondering if there's a place in the airport where I can see it. I'm not going to be flying that day.

Yes, I am an employee of one of the merged companies. My friends at HP Hdq said its going to be quite a reception and expected a ton of people to be there.

I wish I could have invited a very close friend, and former HP employee (and National for that matter).. she was well liked by everyone who ever needed a pass, but was told that only media with permission & badged US/HP & affiliate employees may attend.

REVISED - The repainted aircraft is N109UW (cn 1065).

@:-) Here are some websites where photos may appear before an official release (in order of likelihood):
http://www.airliners.net
http://www.jetphotos.net
http://www.avianet.de
http://www.myaviation.net

Good luck and happy plane spotting!

The repainted aircraft appears to be N907AW (cn 22691/155).

@:-) Here are some websites where photos may appear before an official release (in order of likelihood):
http://www.airliners.net
http://www.jetphotos.net
http://www.avianet.de
http://www.myaviation.net

Good luck and happy plane spotting!

Actually, the freshly painted aircraft is N109US--an Airbus 320. The comment on N907AW was about our old Phoenix Suns plane that was really faded.

I'm flying HP out of PHL tomorrow AM. I wish we were in the US terminal so I could go take a look while I was there. I guess I have to hope that we taxi past it and the pilot references it when we roll by.

So, opinions on the new livery? I think what will be great is the retro planes--one in each of America West, PSA (complete with smile), Piedmont and Alleghany...all with USAirways on the side but painted in each airlines original livery. Pictures are posted on the HP employee website but since it is password protected, will have to wait until someone posts on airliners.net or cactuswings.com.
So, opinions?

It's up on airliners.net...

http://www.airliners.net/open.file?id=905570

I like it! It a clean looking aircraft with simple lines yet not too boring. Did ya notice the registration? UW. Is this the new registration code for their aircraft?

Here's a link to show the clasic liveries:

http://www.americawest.com/awa/content/aboutawa/companyprofile/usair/livery_heritage.aspx

Well I was looking forward to this and thinking about driving out to Skyharbor tonite to watch the plane land. Maybe not. My personal thots from the 2 pics I've seen is:

It lost the "subtle elegance" of the current U-S-Airways scheme.
Possibly that "elegance" was due to the dark colors which naturally wouldn't work well in PHX & LAS.

It lost the "spontaneous energy" of the current America West scheme.
I know a lot of people here didn't like the current livery but I felt it was fresh, energetic and unique. It made the statement "we are NOT a legacy airline".

This new livery could be the paint scheme for any airline; it's just too mainstream. In fact, on the similar thread over on the U-S-Airways forum, a few folks have already pointed (along with a photo link) out how much this livery to another airline. The airlines name was/is something like USA3000 ? Something that had 3000 in the name. Seriously, even tho I saw the pic just a couple of minutes ago, I've already forgotten the airline's name. Kinda proves my point about this new paint job :(

I do give Parker and Company credit for (the statement that they will be...) painting one "theme" plane for each of the carriers in the family tree (well, one generation back ... airlines like Mohawk and Empire have been lost); Allegheny, Peidmont and PSA. That's cool. I think they should also include an America West 1983 "Desert Rose" plane ... tho up until 2 or 3 years ago, that livery was still on a few aircraft and they really looked odd (old ?) at the terminal with all the other "new" planes.

Steve

P.S. I had to go back and look. Yes, it's USA3000
From the U S Airways forum:
Thanks to "usairways lover" for this link to another view of the new livery (complete with the news agency's name imposed over the whole photo)
http://prn.newscom.com/cgi-bin/pub/s?f=PRN/prnpub&p1=20050823/LATU027&xtag=PRN-prnphotos-48290&redir=preview&tr=1&row=1

Thanks to "Jumpgate" for the USA3000 photo link:
http://www.airliners.net/open.file/896508/M/

What part of the new design is from the old PI?

What part of the new design is from the old PI?

JRF,

Check out the link that olympicnut provided above.
It goes to an America West page that tells how they're honoring the heritage.
The new livery doesn't have anything more than an emblem near the entry door. I'm guessing something of the size that passengers will see as they board, not that you could see from a distance.

olympicnut's link will show that emblem plus announce (and give thumbnail examples of) "theme" planes painted in retro liveries, one being the Piedmont Speedbird paint scheme.

Probably one plane painted in each tho my guess is that for the America West heritage theme, they will probably start out with a hundred or so of them :p

Steve

I had hoped for better. I don't like the lettering used, it appears to be "cheesy" to me. I have never liked the faux flag that Airways used. I am not a full fledged "flag hugger" but don't like reducing the American flag to a single color logo ala McDonald's. If you're going to make a statement that you are a US airline, then shout it out with a beautiful American flag! That ugly thing on the tail just shouts "loser" to me.

The new blue is great, especially with the red line above it. MUCH better than the previous blue which appeared black to many males, me included. I am not color blind, but have a difficult time with super dark Navy Blue and Black. (I'm the guy in F with mismatched socks in the black suit.....) :D

Hopefully it's not too late to address that crud on the tail. Proud to be an American! (https://www.specialtymile.com/trulyyours/images/Proud%20to%20be%20An%20American%20Flag.jpg)

A big yawwwn is definitely in order. The downward curving cheatline is aweful, and looks exactly like Ryan Air. The red stripe in the cheatline and the red tip of the tail add some cheesyness.

I'm glad they kept the lines on the fuselage even if they're not the Native American zig-zag lines.

Those fuselage lines are the only unique thing about this livery. The rest is very boring. Very sad.

Despite the funky font, and orange/green colors, I'm going to miss the HP livery. At least you couldn't call it boring.

I definitely won't be making any special effort to go see the plane. I'm going to have a few beers at the 'Library' in Tempe.


It made the statement "we are NOT a legacy airline".

Well, technically they are now. If they kept the America West name they could say that, but at best they're a hybrid. The body of a legacy with the mind of a LCC.

:td:

Boring. It to me looks like it was done in a half assed quick manner just to get it over with. It looks like they took an HP a/c, whited out the teal/red, and slapped on a US tail, engine cowlings, and winglets. Probably some guy named hank got on his A$$ and painted the bottom fuselage with a brush US Blue.

:D

That's much better than any of the simulated images... I'm glad there's no more of those hideous "zubaz-style" lines on the tail.

That being said, the straight-edge diagonal lines aren't a whole lot better!

Here's a link to show the clasic liveries:

http://www.americawest.com/awa/content/aboutawa/companyprofile/usair/livery_heritage.aspx

Interesting, but I don't recall PSA ever flying an Airbus!

http://airlines.afriqonline.com/airlines/307.htm

I wonder if someone took some creative license with PhotoShop to create an A320 with PSA's livery ;)

Interesting, but I don't recall PSA ever flying an Airbus!

http://airlines.afriqonline.com/airlines/307.htm

I wonder if someone took some creative license with PhotoShop to create an A320 with PSA's livery ;)

PSA never flew an aircraft that said "US Airways" on it, either. Those are artist's renditions of special liveries they'll be using.

"As a tribute to the airlines that have joined together over the years to form the new US Airways, several 'heritage' aircraft will be painted in the classic paint schemes of these airlines."

Personally I can not WAIT to see the PSA plane, smile and all!

I think this new look is fine. It's not extraordinary, but they did it by committe, in-house, so for that approach, it's better than average.

Of the prior two, I liked US's old scheme much better than HP's, which I always thought was childish and amateurish. I never got used to it; perhaps it always reminded me of Franke. Given that they couldn't keep the current US because of the heat issue, I think this is a decent, professional looking design. Safe and unimaginitive, but fine. For HP, I say it is definitely an improvement.

However, I love the retro planes. That's genius. They'll be very cool. I hope they are among the first to be painted.

I just got home from McCarran after spending some time awaiting US9090, the new livery from Charlotte, followed by some remarks from Doug Parker and several other representatives of the airlines and airport.

The general feeling amongst the employees that were there (I was one of the only people amongst the 150 or so in the B17 gate area that were not employees or media representatives) was that it was a very classy paint scheme. They applauded loudly when the picture of the America West heritage plane was displayed, and were very impressed by the flight attendants wearing heritage uniforms of the legacy carriers -- PSA, Allegheny, Piedmont, and America West.

The heritage circle that has been discussed, consisting of the US lettering in the middle of a circle bordered by the four heritage carrier logos is clearly visible from up to about 100 yards away, located right near door 1L on the right side when facing the door from the outside.

In addition to the remarks, HP representatives passed out stickers and pins with the heritage circle on it to everyone in attendance.

It was truly a unique experience to witness the "unveiling" (despite having seen the livery online several hours earlier), and hear the optimism from not just the airline reps but from the airport folks as well.

A larger version of the heritage circle than what you can see on the HP site can be found at http://www.friedmanhomes.com/heritagecircle.jpg

Other notes from the "ceremony":
The livery intentionally reuses the same flag logo, font, and sizes to reduce costs by eliminating the need to create new stencils
That same re-use of components also allows for existing US signage to remain in place - HP signage will go away, but as much as possible, the US signage inside the airports will be reused
Parker was very proud of the fact that unlike most other carriers, no outside consultants were used, which means money was saved - the whole point of a Low Cost Carrier
Parker mentioned that the merger should close at the end of September or early October, certainly sooner than many of us had expected

As an HP employee, it was an incredible event to be at the hangar last night and see our new aircraft taxi through the water cannon salute and into position. Once the aircraft was parked, we were able to walk out under it, take a tour of the interior and listen to all the speeches that were given.
The livery is very classy and shows what is to come for the new USAirways.

I like the current scheme as well...it's not as fantastic as I thought, but it is very nice. I am SOOOOO happy about the heritage planes. It will be nice to see Piedmont and PSA "alive" once again. Of course the HP and Allegheny schemes are great too!

I didn't get a button...I want one!! :p

As far as I could tell I was the only customer out at PHX last night as N109UW pulled into the HP hangar. My full report is on the US board, and pics are posted on USAviation. What really struck me was how excited all of the employees were. They are proud of their airline, excited about the new livery, and looking forward to making this work! I spoke with old Piedmont ladies who had been around for 30+ years, and a very nice woman who has only been with HP as a FA for 9 months. From what I heard from a few people who were on the flight yesterday, "good things happened up there." ^

Good thing for excellent maintenance crews with sharp eyes!

Crack Discovered in US Airways Window (http://www.kevincbrown.org/US Air Crack.jpg)




I'm sure to take a hit for this one.............. :rolleyes:

. . . I'm sure to take a hit for this one.............

You've certainly earned it. :p

Personally I can not WAIT to see the PSA plane, smile and all!

Me too.

I think the new livery is pretty uninspiring, however.

Anyone else loath that fake American Flag? I really hate that cartoon thing they have slapped on there.

IMHO, if they change it to an honest to goodness American flag in red, white and blue the livery would look 10 times better.

IMHO, if they change it to an honest to goodness American flag in red, white and blue the livery would look 10 times better.

Not really. I'd prefer no flag in the livery. Unfortunately, the US name almost requires its use.

Not really. I'd prefer no flag in the livery. Unfortunately, the US name almost requires its use.

Then they should drop the US name if they aren't proud enough to quit using a poorly drawn cartoon of the flag of the USA. I am no "flag wrapper" but if this was done with any other country's flag there would be hell to pay.

1.)The graphic is ugly as heck
2.)They are trying to use US as a marketing advantage without paying proper tribute.

Then they should drop the US name if they aren't proud enough to quit using a poorly drawn cartoon of the flag of the USA. I am no "flag wrapper" but if this was done with any other country's flag there would be hell to pay.


I dunno about that. Have ya seen British Airways tails? Thats suppose to be a stylized Union Jack.


Guys, what's done is done. The new livery is it, it aint gonna change. Time to accept it and focus on the new airline.

Then they should drop the US name...

I agree totally. ;)


...if they aren't proud enough to quit using a poorly drawn cartoon of the flag of the USA. I am no "flag wrapper" but if this was done with any other country's flag there would be hell to pay.

1.)The graphic is ugly as heck
2.)They are trying to use US as a marketing advantage without paying proper tribute.

How do you use the flag as part of a livery without looking like "Freedom Toast Airlines"? It's almost impossible to use the flag and not look cheesy.


The new livery is it, it aint gonna change.

Well, they only painted one plane. There's plenty of time to get rid of that hideous cheatline.

Then they should drop the US name if they aren't proud enough to quit using a poorly drawn cartoon of the flag of the USA. I am no "flag wrapper" but if this was done with any other country's flag there would be hell to pay.

You mean like Air France or BA? I really like the US logo. Does Bank of America's logo bother you too?

Section 8i of the US Flag Code (http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/html/uscode04/usc_sec_04_00000008----000-.html) states: "The flag should never be used for advertising purposes in any manner whatsoever. It should not be embroidered on such articles as cushions or handkerchiefs and the like, printed or otherwise impressed on paper napkins or boxes or anything that is designed for temporary use and discard. Advertising signs should not be fastened to a staff or halyard from which the flag is flown." So using the real flag as a logo probably isn't a good idea.

You mean like Air France or BA? I really like the US logo. Does Bank of America's logo bother you too?

Actually I do like both of those airlines' livery! I have to rate US Air's at the bottom 3 or 4 in the world (and I've traveled all over the globe) I just think it looked absolutely horrible and the latest change improves it, but please get rid of that Bart Simpson like crap on the tail.

BofA looks somewhat like a real flying flag, at least it incorporates the colors and doesn't look like a livery for a hearse lease company.