Qantas Goes Retro & Reintroduces Winged “Flying Kangaroo”

Qantas is introducing a retro livery from the 1970s featuring the winged “Flying Kangaroo” as a tribute to the iconic, 70-year-old logo.

Qantas flyers will soon be treated to an old look on a new airplane. The West Australian reports the Australian flag carrier will take delivery of a Boeing 737-800 painted in a retro livery with a winged version of the “Flying Kangaroo” on its tail later this week.

The Australian Business Traveller reports that the winged version of the “Flying Kangaroo” prominently featured on the tail of the retro jet was designed in 1947 to celebrate the airline’s introduction of Lockheed L479 Constellation aircraft. The Kangaroo Service over the Indian Ocean inspired the first appearances of the marsupials on Qantas’ aircraft. According to company folklore, as reported by The Daily Telegraph, the kangaroo design was originally based off the kangaroo on the Australian penny.

The livery of the new Boeing 737-800 comes from the 1970s and showcases many design features of the era. The winged version of the “Flying Kangaroo” logo could be found on Qantas aircraft around the world for over 40 years, but its wings were clipped in a 1984 redesign.

“Our kangaroo logo represents our proud history, inextricably linked with the development of commercial aviation in Australia,” said Olivia Wirth, group executive for brand, marketing and corporate affairs. “Qantas has flown under many liveries throughout its 94 year history, and I know this historic design will bring back a lot of memories for many of our customers who have chosen to fly with us over the years.”

Qantas will take delivery of the jet at Boeing’s Seattle factory on Wednesday. The retro jet will be the 75th Boeing 737-800 to join the carrier’s fleet.

[Photo: Australian Business Traveller]