New AA Livery - Why? - Merger Likely
Jan 20, 2013, 3:24 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 45
New AA Livery - Why? - Merger Likely
As the AA / US merger is becoming more and more likely it seems strange that American would embark on a very costly rebranding at this time. If the merger occurs it would seem to me that there would be a blending of each companies livery and branding as occurred with UA/CO and DL/CO. It is clear that the surviving entity would be called AMERICAN if this merger occurs. Strange timing because my inside contacts tell me a merger announcement is VERY imminent.
Jan 20, 2013, 5:11 am
#2
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: USA
Programs: AA EXP, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 524
just speculating.. but they took the eagle and AA off the tail and replaced it with a flag. maybe they're hinting at something..
The new AA livery is growing on me. Looks pretty good on the 738 and the Eagle renderings. Not so much on the 777-300. Still, i'd be very happy with the new american livery and the current US tail. Perhaps switch the blue and red shade to match.. but would be very fitting.
The new AA livery is growing on me. Looks pretty good on the 738 and the Eagle renderings. Not so much on the 777-300. Still, i'd be very happy with the new american livery and the current US tail. Perhaps switch the blue and red shade to match.. but would be very fitting.
Jan 20, 2013, 6:01 am
#3
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: DCA
Programs: Underappreciated US CP, nobody status with everyone else.
Posts: 176
This presumes a merger is a foregone conclusion.
If the surviving carrier name is to be American, it would be the US aircraft that would have to be re-painted
If the surviving carrier name is to be American, it would be the US aircraft that would have to be re-painted
Jan 20, 2013, 7:46 am
#4
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: DFW
Posts: 270
Whoops, didn't read the OP close enough the first time.
Jan 20, 2013, 8:09 am
#5
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: AVL
Programs: AA EXP ; Cunard Plat
Posts: 4,211
Interview with AA CEO Horton:
<snip>
<snip>
... With so many questions left unanswered in the bankruptcy and a potential merger, why do this right now? Why not wait until those questions are answered?
“Yeah, very good question. Why now? .. The financial restructuring is essentially complete. The remaining question is the merger, of course. That’s going to take a bit more time.
“This has been in the works for two years. As we brought the rebranding work to a close, we were very much focused on the introduction of the new 777-300. You can see that airplane doesn’t have a livery on it, and the plan was to put the new livery on it and send those airplanes around the world. Indeed, that’s what we’re going to do. Those planes go into service at the end of January, so now’s the time.”
If your board decides to go through with a merger, does this have to be all redone again?
“Oh, I wouldn’t think so. This look sort of speaks for itself. This is I think a very powerful image for the new American, whether we proceed with a combination or not. I would think that most folks would agree.” ...
“Yeah, very good question. Why now? .. The financial restructuring is essentially complete. The remaining question is the merger, of course. That’s going to take a bit more time.
“This has been in the works for two years. As we brought the rebranding work to a close, we were very much focused on the introduction of the new 777-300. You can see that airplane doesn’t have a livery on it, and the plan was to put the new livery on it and send those airplanes around the world. Indeed, that’s what we’re going to do. Those planes go into service at the end of January, so now’s the time.”
If your board decides to go through with a merger, does this have to be all redone again?
“Oh, I wouldn’t think so. This look sort of speaks for itself. This is I think a very powerful image for the new American, whether we proceed with a combination or not. I would think that most folks would agree.” ...
Jan 20, 2013, 8:30 am
#6
Suspended
Join Date: May 2012
Programs: Choice Gold, Hilton Diamond, US CP
Posts: 334
New livery means absolutely nothing other than a new livery for AA. Both airlines have to continue operating as if no merger were going to happen because its quite possible no merger will happen. It just smart business sense. Some of you might recall what happened after the first time UA and US tried to merge. All the attentions were focused on the merger, which didnt end up happening, and that caused quite a few problems.
And as Tim Horton said in his statement the new livery has been in the works even prior to all this merger talk.
And as Tim Horton said in his statement the new livery has been in the works even prior to all this merger talk.
Jan 20, 2013, 10:38 am
#7
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: High Point, NC
Programs: None
Posts: 9,171
AA had to have a new livery - the 787 having a composite fuselage that had to be painted ensured that. Even the 737's and 777's had a patchwork look with the composite panels.
Jim
Jim
Jan 20, 2013, 10:50 am
#8
Join Date: Nov 2010
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Posts: 182
either way, even if they did agree to merge, they probably wouldnt begin operating as one airline for at least a few years...
Jan 20, 2013, 11:44 am
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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New AA Livery - Why? - Merger Likely
Once the UA and DL mergers became complete, the repainting seemed to move along very quickly. I also don't view the AA livery change to be at all influenced by a potential merger.
Jan 20, 2013, 1:00 pm
#10
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: LA
Programs: AAdvantage, CK, 4 MM; Marriott Lifetime PLT
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As the AA / US merger is becoming more and more likely it seems strange that American would embark on a very costly rebranding at this time. If the merger occurs it would seem to me that there would be a blending of each companies livery and branding as occurred with UA/CO and DL/CO. It is clear that the surviving entity would be called AMERICAN if this merger occurs. Strange timing because my inside contacts tell me a merger announcement is VERY imminent.
1. NDA between US and AA.
2. Violation of securities law.
Therefore, your inside contact(s) is just speculating off of heresay, rumors, FT posts, etc.
Rest assured, if he/she does know and is speaking to someone posting on a public website, that individual is in serious legal jeopardy! And it will not be to hard to figure out who your source is, as the authorities will come down on you to extract the info.
I know you have to realize that your identity maybe anonymous to FTs but a subponea from a law enformcement agency will reveal you in minutes as there is a permenant electronic footprint. A merger transaction is insider information especially when 2 public companies are involved. Just saying.
Jan 20, 2013, 1:00 pm
#11
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Your "inside contacts" are just flapping their gums to hear themselves talk. Either that or they're violating the federal securities laws. Thus, they're likely not actually anyone who is "in the know." Anyone who has any inside knowledge of an actual merger announcement is not talking to their friends about it, unless they're terminally stupid. It's been no secret for more than a year that Parker really wants to merge with AA, and it's been no secret that Horton believes that emerging on its own is his preference.
Jan 20, 2013, 1:05 pm
#12
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: LA
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Posts: 308
I personally dislike the garish new livery, but when airlines emerge from Ch 11, they frequently embark on a marketing makeover. If the merger does not happen for a while, should AA place its recovery plans on hold? In what other areas should AA play "wait and see?"
I think it's a big assumption to think that the livery of the merged entity would incorporate elements of the US livery.
Your "inside contacts" are just flapping their gums to hear themselves talk. Either that or they're violating the federal securities laws. Thus, they're likely not actually anyone who is "in the know." Anyone who has any inside knowledge of an actual merger announcement is not talking to their friends about it, unless they're terminally stupid. It's been no secret for more than a year that Parker really wants to merge with AA, and it's been no secret that Horton believes that emerging on its own is his preference.
I think it's a big assumption to think that the livery of the merged entity would incorporate elements of the US livery.
Your "inside contacts" are just flapping their gums to hear themselves talk. Either that or they're violating the federal securities laws. Thus, they're likely not actually anyone who is "in the know." Anyone who has any inside knowledge of an actual merger announcement is not talking to their friends about it, unless they're terminally stupid. It's been no secret for more than a year that Parker really wants to merge with AA, and it's been no secret that Horton believes that emerging on its own is his preference.
Looks like I beat you by just seconds according to the time stamp.
Jan 20, 2013, 1:07 pm
#13
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Jan 20, 2013, 1:14 pm
#14
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: LA
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Posts: 308
There could NEVER be any question of that?? Your acumen of the aviation industry is exceptional!! I can just sit back and read with a profound appreciation/respect of your knowledge on the airline industry; not to mention your demonstrated knowledge of the legal profession.
Jan 20, 2013, 2:28 pm
#15
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 125
New AA Livery - Why? - Merger Likely
How much does it cost to repaint and rebrand an entire fleet?