Last edit by: WineCountryUA
The “leaked” first shot:
United’s announcement video:
https://twitter.com/united/status/11...525993984?s=20
PDF of the new livery:
https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/876...jpg?p=original
United’s announcement video:
https://twitter.com/united/status/11...525993984?s=20
PDF of the new livery:
https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/876...jpg?p=original
Out with the Gold, in with the Blue - United Airlines Unveils its Next Fleet Paint Design
Updated aircraft livery is the next step in United's ongoing efforts to modernize its visual brand
CHICAGO, April 24, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, United Airlines is introducing customers and employees to a modernized aircraft livery, which will bring a refreshed look to its fleet. The design is a visual representation of United's ongoing brand evolution while staying true to the history it has developed over the past 93 years of proudly serving customers around the world.
"As we improve and elevate our customer experience, we are changing the way people think and feel about United, and this branding captures that new spirit," said Oscar Munoz, CEO of United Airlines. "Each improvement we've added to our service advances our evolution as an airline, furthering our effort to elevate and redefine customer service in the sky. This modernized design, especially our iconic globe, enhances the very best of United's image and values while pointing in the direction of where we intend to go next in serving our customers."
The next iteration of United's livery prominently features the color most connected to the airline's core – blue. Three shades – Rhapsody Blue, United Blue and Sky Blue – are used throughout the design in a way that pays respect to United's heritage while bringing a more modern energy. The airline is keeping its iconic globe logo on the aircraft tail, which represents the carrier's expansive route network of reaching 355 destinations in nearly 60 countries. The tail will be updated with a gradient in the three shades of blue, while the logo will now appear predominantly in Sky Blue. The engines and wingtips are also being painted United Blue, and the swoop that customers and employees have expressed fondness for on United's Dreamliner fleet will be added to all aircraft in Rhapsody Blue. United's name will appear larger on the aircraft body and the lower half of the body will be painted Runway Gray. United's mission of "Connecting people. Uniting the world." will also be painted near the door of each aircraft.
The new design features core colors from United's updated brand palette, which was introduced last year as a step toward updating the brand's visual identity. Blue continues to be the airline's primary color, with various tones creating more depth and reflecting the colors customers and employees see when they look out the plane window at the sky. The airline's new color palette also includes shades of purple, which is most recognizable as the color of the new United Premium Plus seats are being added to the fleet. When combined, the purple and blue tones create a soothing environment and a more relaxed travel experience. In updating its colors, United is reducing the use of gold, which was added to the brand palette almost 30 years ago. United's new color palette can also be seen in the accent colors of the new uniforms that are being created for more than 70,000 front-line employees.
On average, United aircraft receive new paint jobs every seven years. The first aircraft painted with the new design is a Boeing 737-800, which will be joined by a mix of narrowbody, widebody and regional aircraft with the updated livery throughout the year. For more information visit united.com/brandevolution.
Updated aircraft livery is the next step in United's ongoing efforts to modernize its visual brand
CHICAGO, April 24, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, United Airlines is introducing customers and employees to a modernized aircraft livery, which will bring a refreshed look to its fleet. The design is a visual representation of United's ongoing brand evolution while staying true to the history it has developed over the past 93 years of proudly serving customers around the world.
"As we improve and elevate our customer experience, we are changing the way people think and feel about United, and this branding captures that new spirit," said Oscar Munoz, CEO of United Airlines. "Each improvement we've added to our service advances our evolution as an airline, furthering our effort to elevate and redefine customer service in the sky. This modernized design, especially our iconic globe, enhances the very best of United's image and values while pointing in the direction of where we intend to go next in serving our customers."
The next iteration of United's livery prominently features the color most connected to the airline's core – blue. Three shades – Rhapsody Blue, United Blue and Sky Blue – are used throughout the design in a way that pays respect to United's heritage while bringing a more modern energy. The airline is keeping its iconic globe logo on the aircraft tail, which represents the carrier's expansive route network of reaching 355 destinations in nearly 60 countries. The tail will be updated with a gradient in the three shades of blue, while the logo will now appear predominantly in Sky Blue. The engines and wingtips are also being painted United Blue, and the swoop that customers and employees have expressed fondness for on United's Dreamliner fleet will be added to all aircraft in Rhapsody Blue. United's name will appear larger on the aircraft body and the lower half of the body will be painted Runway Gray. United's mission of "Connecting people. Uniting the world." will also be painted near the door of each aircraft.
The new design features core colors from United's updated brand palette, which was introduced last year as a step toward updating the brand's visual identity. Blue continues to be the airline's primary color, with various tones creating more depth and reflecting the colors customers and employees see when they look out the plane window at the sky. The airline's new color palette also includes shades of purple, which is most recognizable as the color of the new United Premium Plus seats are being added to the fleet. When combined, the purple and blue tones create a soothing environment and a more relaxed travel experience. In updating its colors, United is reducing the use of gold, which was added to the brand palette almost 30 years ago. United's new color palette can also be seen in the accent colors of the new uniforms that are being created for more than 70,000 front-line employees.
On average, United aircraft receive new paint jobs every seven years. The first aircraft painted with the new design is a Boeing 737-800, which will be joined by a mix of narrowbody, widebody and regional aircraft with the updated livery throughout the year. For more information visit united.com/brandevolution.
Revised UA livery revealed 24 April 2019 (sneak peek on FT on 23rd)
#16
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: SFO
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Posts: 66
I wouldn’t worry about the company spending money on this. United hasn’t had any real brand or marketing efforts since 2010.
It was reported elsewhere that Boeing had worked on some designs but were initially rejected. “Buy billions in planes and we’ll throw in a new custom paint job for ya.” I’m not holding my breath for anything stylish being announced.
It was reported elsewhere that Boeing had worked on some designs but were initially rejected. “Buy billions in planes and we’ll throw in a new custom paint job for ya.” I’m not holding my breath for anything stylish being announced.
#17
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I assume the planes will pretty much look the same.
Isn't there a significant cost savings in keeping the plane mostly white? Plus I thought it was easier to spot defects.
Isn't there a significant cost savings in keeping the plane mostly white? Plus I thought it was easier to spot defects.
#18
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Bringing back the winged “T” would be cool too.
Revolution would have been better to wipe away more of the Smisek era.
Revolution would have been better to wipe away more of the Smisek era.
#19
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#20
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Looks like the Tulip is officially nevermore...but can't we kill off the PowerPoint clipart globe too?
#22
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I thought the savings from white paint was in reduced costs of cooling the plane. White reflects more light.
#23
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Airplanes are usually painted every 6-7 years or so... this wouldn’t be something the company is “wasting” money on.
#24
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I had hoped they would just go to the 737MAX and 787 schemes because it updates the look but retains a consistent look. I just hope whatever they come up with isn't just another boring eurowhite design.
#25
Join Date: Oct 2016
Programs: United Mileage Plus
Posts: 15
White paint weighs less also. I took the Everet factory tour in Washington last year and dont quote me on this but, I think it was something like 800lbs on a 787 in white vs another color. So that's 800 more lbs of cargo, pax, fuel, or less fuel because there not hauling around another 800 lbs in pigment.
#26
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I always find it interesting that people think changing the livery is such a big waste of money and somehow translates to higher fares. The planes have to be painted on a regular basis, so its not like they are taking a bunch of planes out of service and spooling up painting; they would cycle through maintenance and paint schedules typically on a standard schedule so while it may seem like planes carry the same scheme for years, they are actually painting the planes. As for marketing costs, it depends on what type of contract they have in place whether the design was part of the normal course of marketing or was an additional service. That being said, Smisek claimed he designed the last scheme, so maybe he's returned to offer his services.
It's the same waste as with the upcoming FA's uniform redesign. Yes, uniforms wear out and need to be replaced, but you don't need to throw hundreds of thousands at a firm to come up with a crappy scheme.
#27
Join Date: Jun 2008
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Does anyone else think the current globe on the tail looks blurry at first glance? It's an optical illusion but is always there at first. It'll be nice to fix that.
Last edited by DesertNomad; Mar 8, 2019 at 8:42 am
#28
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White paint weighs less also. I took the Everet factory tour in Washington last year and dont quote me on this but, I think it was something like 800lbs on a 787 in white vs another color. So that's 800 more lbs of cargo, pax, fuel, or less fuel because there not hauling around another 800 lbs in pigment.
#29
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#30
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While it is true that the repainting would take place in any case, what is costing extra money is the designing. You can bet your life that the upcoming rebrand will cost enough to have provided a substantial number of us with free Polaris int'l flights for the foreseeable future, which sticks in the throat when you could have had a redesign for free from folk posting on this forum.
It's the same waste as with the upcoming FA's uniform redesign. Yes, uniforms wear out and need to be replaced, but you don't need to throw hundreds of thousands at a firm to come up with a crappy scheme.
It's the same waste as with the upcoming FA's uniform redesign. Yes, uniforms wear out and need to be replaced, but you don't need to throw hundreds of thousands at a firm to come up with a crappy scheme.
Spend a little money to get it right.