News: United plans for livery 'evolution'

United Airlines is preparing to unveil an update to its livery according to its president and chief executive Oscar Munoz. Munoz told an audience at the US Chamber of Commerce aviation summit in Washington DC that "it's an evolution not a revolution." He added: "I think it's pretty cool."

United Airlines has used a version of Continental Airlines' livery since the two carriers merged in 2010. The airline has recently added some colours to its branding palette that are already being used in its new premium economy cabin. They include 'Premium Purple', 'Atlantic Amethyst', 'Pacific Blue' and 'Sky Blue'. Munoz suggested that some of these may come to the fore in the new paint job, although the use of gold will become less prominent.

United is currently running a 'paint the aircraft' competition for female artists in New York and California. The winners' designs will feature on two of the airline's 757s this summer. (see United to Offer 757s as artist's canvas). As part of the contest the carrier has produced branding guidelines that include an outline of a Boeing 757. This might indicate what United has planned, at least as far as the size and positioning of titles on the forward fuselage are concerned (note that the airline has already said the titles will not be hollow and the shaded sections only indicate areas which would be artists should not 'redecorate').

Munoz says the new colours will first be seen on new aircraft introduced into the fleet, as well as on those scheduled for repaints. The airline has Boeing 737MAXs and 787s on order from Boeing. The revised United Airlines livery is expected to debut in "April-ish".

Text © The Aviation Oracle