As the article states, due to the composite makeup of the 787, the polished aluminium is not an option when those birds arrive, thus they need to come up with something new to maintain consistency of the brand.

I don't think this is the case. There is an effort to rebrand as they exit BK.

I do agree that AA wants to rebrand as they upgrade the fleet (if the pics hold true, and service can match, AA is really shaping up to become the premium carrier in the USA), but I do believe a painted livery is due to the 787's composites (as well as composites that will undoubtedly be used in future aircraft) because AA has always touted the polished metal as being economical: less weight, less waste, lower costs, etc.

In these days of Prius enthusiasm and if/then mental processes to be followed when discarding a candy wrapper, I'd argue this is definitely not the time to be throwing latex chemicals and thinners onto 600+ aircraft for the sake of rebranding; rather, it must be done for the new aircraft on order since polishing metal is not an option.

I agree that this is also part of the plan, but I was just stating that they couldn't maintain the polished aluminium as part of any rebranded livery due to the 787 composite components.

Don't they make silver metallic paint for airplanes like they do for cars? How does Aeroflot do it for their 332s?

The paint looks completely different than the rest of the AA fleet:http://images3.jetphotos.net/img/1/7...1224938267.jpg

True. And that color seems to blend into the sky as well. Somewhat similar to the A300s. Grey is not the best color in terms of visibility.

Hmmm, is that the reason MIL planes are painted gray? ;)

Precisely. Aeronautical camouflage.

An interesting interpretation:

http://www.airlinereporter.com/wp-co...w2PNAs4qfI.jpg

Makes me think of US.

Agree. AA would be stupid to ditch the scissor eagle logo. Minor tweaks like going from polished aluminum to paint, new typefaces or changing the striping could work but anyone who suggests ditching the scissor eagle is a fool (or a "branding consultant" hack out to make a quick buck).

The cool thing about the scissor eagle is that it can be dressed down (as when paired with the letters "AA" on the tail of airplanes) or dressed up (when just the eagle, without "AA", appears on things like premium cabin menus, interior panels, etc.)

Although this whole livery change idea smacks of rearranging the deck chairs on Titanic.

Hell, if United could kill the tulip, anything is possible

AA really has no choice to move away from the polished aluminum since it's not possible on the upcoming Airbus narrow bodies and 787 ( if and when those orders ever get confirmed).