Airline logos are not just symbols; they are stories of an airline’s identity, values, and aspirations. A great logo will leave you feeling secure, reliable, and forward-thinking, and will differentiate it from the rest of the other airlines. This guide will walk you through some of the most legendary airline logos, their secrets of success, and the secrets of successful airline branding.
Table of Contents
- What Makes Successful Airline Logos?
- Iconic Airline Logos and Their Stories
- Trans World Airlines: A Legacy in Aviation Branding
- The History of TWA’s Logo Evolution
- Early Days
- The Twin Globe Logo
- Look at some cool stuff TWA did to make their brand pop:
- Main Design Principles for Airline Logos
- Colors have a strong influence on customer attitudes:
- New Logos
What Makes Successful Airline Logos?
Creating a killer airline logo is all about marrying creativity with a pinch of clever planning. These are the key things to remember:
Clear and Simple: A clear and simple design works anywhere, from airplane tails to computer screens.
Appropriate: Using symbols like wings or airplanes shows that the airline is focused on aviation.
You see, a logo that stands out in a crowded field is much more memorable.
Color Psychology: Blue is used to represent trust and dependability, and green can represent sustainability.
Typography: The typeface must be consistent with the personality of the airline—innovative sans-serifs or traditional serifs.
Iconic Airline Logos and Their Stories
American Airlines (1967 Version):
The airline flies to more than 60 countries. The logo that was designed by Massimo Vignelli featured a bold “AA” with an eagle in the background. It symbolized confidence and patriotism and was one of the most identifiable airline logos for nearly 50 years. People always associate the bald-headed eagle with the US, so using it for American Airlines was a fantastic choice, which also gave people a lot of confidence with the airline.
Delta Air Lines:
The airline flies to around 52 countries. Delta’s logo in the form of a triangle is replete with symbolism. Not only does it symbolize the Greek letter Delta, but also the airplane wing (as you can see on their website). Its minimalist and layered nature has made it a symbol of excellence in the aviation business.
LEVEL:
LEVEL signage opted for a clean and minimalist look—a sky blue and Earth green two-tone square. This new energy actually caught the eye of younger travelers in search of low-cost long-haul flights, and it was one of the most successful airline launches ever. The airline connects at least 5 continents.
Did you know of the secret meanings behind airline logos?
They’re like tiny clues that tell a story. I’ll show you some examples!
Hermes Aero Services:
This logo is speed and trust personified. It’s derived from the Greek god of traveling and has a winged foot that signifies movement and speed. The blue color provides you with a feeling of security and innovativeness.
Icarus Airlines:
This logo is so-called after the mythological figure Icarus and has stylized violet and blue wings to represent elegance and ambition. The use of a serif font makes it look authoritative.
Emirates:
The Emirates logo is a symbol of luxury and perfection. It features Arabic calligraphy in a monogram that reflects the airline’s Arabian heritage link.
The gold employed in the logo represents richness and prestige, and the blue symbolizes trust and professionalism. The falcon emblem represents power, speed, and sophistication—qualities the bird and the airline’s services are renowned for. The traditional design has been around since 1985, reflecting Emirates’ commitment to its Arabian heritage and global ambitions. Emirates offers flights that connect 85 countries (the list only expands each year)!
British Airways:
British Airways’ logo is famous for its “Speedmarque,” a ribbon-like design that conveys movement and dynamism. The red and blue color scheme makes you feel trustworthy, professional, and British.
British Airways has recently redesigned its loyalty program logo with a minimalist design based on great circle flight routes—the shortest distances between two world points. This complex and yet simple visual identity conveys the complexity and beauty of air travel while maintaining the airline’s premium brand. British Airways has a huge list of countries that it flies to – up to 80 countries.
Singapore Airlines:
Singapore Airlines employs a golden bird from traditional Southeast Asian iconography to represent luxury and hospitality. The gold reinforces its image as a high-quality carrier.
They rely on discreet subtlety to narrate their stories.
Delta Air Lines: The triangle represents flights and long- and short-haul flights.
American Airlines (1967): The eagle design plays with negative space to show off some patriotism without going overboard.
Dominions Airspace: The round “D” for innovation and dynamism is punctuated with bright, warm colors for a burst of energy.
Emirates: The falcon symbolizes strength and velocity, with Arabic calligraphy providing a cultural touch.
British Airways: Speedmarque’s flowing design conveys movement and harmony.
Trans World Airlines: A Legacy in Aviation Branding
Trans World Airlines (TWA) was a legendary airline in the history of aviation. They were renowned for their innovative attitude, luxurious services, and breakthrough branding. Their visual identity, i.e., their logo and company design, made TWA a household name during the era of flight’s heyday. This section describes how the branding of TWA changed over the years and how it influenced the aviation sector.
The History of TWA’s Logo Evolution
Early Days
TWA was founded in 1930 when Western Air Express and Transcontinental Air Transport (TAT) merged. They were initially known as Transcontinental & Western Air, but in 1950, the airline was bought by Howard Hughes and was renamed Trans World Airlines. TWA quickly emerged as a big player in the domestic and international markets.
The Twin Globe Logo
TWA’s logo, which Raymond Loewy came up with way back in 1959, was a hit! It featured these hip abstract gold spheres with TWA’s initials in bold red letters. The two spheres really emphasized TWA’s global reach, and that red lettering made it look contemporary and vibrant. This logo essentially became TWA’s trademark, appearing on their aircraft, advertisements, and even at JFK Airport.
TWA’s branding was all about that red color. You saw it everywhere, from their aircraft to the flight attendants’ uniforms. It really stood out and told you that TWA was all about passion and innovation. They even had this awesome custom font in their logo, which made them look super sleek and trendy.
Look at some cool stuff TWA did to make their brand pop:
Eero Saarinen’s Flight Center:
TWA opened its legendary terminal at JFK International Airport in 1962. It was designed by master architect Eero Saarinen and referred to as the “Cathedral to Aviation.” It was the highpoint of mid-century modern design and reflective of TWA’s dedication to style and innovation. The terminal had swooping lines that resembled flight, and Loewy’s globe logo adorned everything.
Custom Typography:
So, TWA’s typography was a big deal for their branding. They had this cool italicized typeface during the Jet Age that totally gave off a fast and modern vibe. It really fit their cutting-edge image. Plus, they even revived it for the TWA Hotel at JFK Airport, so future generations can still check it out.
Innovations in Branding:
TWA didn’t stop there at logos and uniforms. They made sure every part of their customer experience was on brand.
Trans World Airlines is the best example of how smart branding can really make an airline stand out. From Raymond Loewy’s cool twin globe logo to Eero Saarinen’s wonderful airport design, TWA demonstrated that design is not just about being aesthetically pleasing; it creates a special bond with customers.
TWA’s use of bold color, classic typography, and consistent brand voice continues to be felt today in airline branding.
Main Design Principles for Airline Logos
Designing an unforgettable airline logo is a piece of art. Designers look at a few important aspects:
Minimalism:
Plain shapes do wonders on different surfaces.
Abstract Symbolism:
Particular patterns convey values like innovation or sustainability.
Nature-Inspired Features:
Incorporating nature-inspired elements appeals to environmentally friendly tourists.
Typography-Centric Designs:
Fonts also mirror the personality of the brand—innovative fonts represent innovation, and curved fonts represent sustainability.
Colors have a strong influence on customer attitudes:
Blue represents trust (e.g., Delta Air Lines).
Green represents sustainability (e.g., LEVEL).
Red/Orange conveys energy and warmth (e.g., Spark Airways).
Typography is more than just choosing fonts; it visually communicates the brand’s story.
Clarity: Fonts should be readable at all sizes.
Brand Alignment: Sleek fonts exude modernity, while organic shapes emphasize environmental consciousness.
Timelessness: Avoid extremely trendy fonts to have a fresh and timeless logo.
New Logos
Coming up with a new logo for an airline is a big deal that needs serious thought. It’s basically the airline’s face, and it’s gotta show what they’re all about. So, here are some major things airlines need to think about when they’re creating a new logo:
Keep it simple and ensure it’s recognizable, you know? It should be able to work on all types of things, like airplanes and smartphones. Just avoid any really complicated designs because they tend to get fuzzy when you miniaturize them.
Designing an airline logo is no joke.
It must be distinctive, memorable, and attractive to the target audience. These are some of the most important things to keep in mind when designing a logo:
- Emotional Connection: The logo must be emotional and reflect the personality of the airline.
- Uniqueness: It must be unique enough to grab people’s attention and remain in their heads.
- Timelessness: It must be useful and attractive in years to come.
- Customer-Centric: It has to resonate with the target audience and align with their needs.
- Versatility: It’s gotta look good on all that, such as planes, uniforms,and the digital kind.
- Looking for Expertise: It is strongly recommended to seek the help of professional designers or branding firms to create a better logo.
Guided by these principles, airlines can create logos that connect with the world and embody their fundamental values and aspirations. The best airline logos are simple, evocative, and new. Whether it’s Delta’s famous triangle or LEVEL’s simple square, these logos are highly effective at branding the airline sector. By understanding what works in these designs, airlines can design logos that resonate with their customers and leave a lasting impression wherever they travel.
