Here is the first Airbus A319 in the new United/Continental Livery. I know it has been quite controversial and many of you readers have totally hated this new United livery. As I have said before, the more I see it, the more I get used to it and the more I like it. I actually think it looks best on this smaller Airbus A319 than it has on the Boeing 777 or in a Boeing 747 mock up. You can check out quite a few photos of the old and new livery of this Airbus A319 on Airliners.net. One exciting part of this combination, is we have never seen the “Continental livery” on an Airbus A320-family aircraft before. Has this “new livery” grown on you at all?
I was emailed this photo a few days ago and have been trying to track down the owner to give proper credit. If you know where this came from, please let me know.
The new look: Alaska Airlines Arena at the University of Washington. Click for larger.
I know, this might not mean much to most of you, but this is my hometown airline getting a building with their name on it at my alma mater, so I wanted to share. The on-campus basketball arena will now be called “Alaska Airlines Arena at Hec Edmundson Pavilion” at the University of Washington Seattle campus (UW now has three campuses: Seattle, Tacoma and Bothell but they are all the Huskies). This is a five year agreement between the airline and the university. Alaska will be paying $525,000.00 per year on top of the $175,000.00 already paid in athletics’ sponsorship.
“We are thrilled to expand our long-standing relationship with the University of Washington and that the Alaska Airlines name will be associated with the proud history of Hec Edmundson Pavilion,” said Alaska Airlines President Brad Tilden. “Husky basketball is a time-honored tradition enjoyed by many in our community, including our customers and our employees.”
Alaska has been doing a great job partnering with a lot of northwest organizations and companies to really show they are Seattle’s hometown airline and this just furthers that.
United Airlines is currently hosting a new contest called, “United’s Three Perfect Days Contest,” which will allow one lucky winner to create a custom trip for them an a guest. All you need to do is make a creative video telling United where you want to go and why. Now, I have promoted some contests before, but I haven’t heard if any of you readers have actually entered. If you enter, I want to be sure to see your video. You enter view United’s Facebook, they will post the videos and you get to vote who is the winner. Here are the things you can win:
Prizes:
* One grand prize winner will receive a ’˜Three Perfect Days’ prize package including:
* Round-trip, economy class air transportation for two on United Airlines or United Express
*United Travel Options Premier Travel Plus for two (where available at select U.S. airports)
* Includes Economy Plus® Seating, First two standard checked bags free, Red Carpet Club one-time pass and more!
* $2,500 Visa® gift card for hotel accommodations and spending money
* Digital camera to document your trip
Two first prize winners will receive:
*50,000 United Mileage Plus® Miles
* Economy Plus® Annual Option
* $500 Visa® gift card
* Digital camera
Super AirlineReporter.com Bonus:
* If you are a reader and win this and choose to fly to Seattle, I will set up a special tour of all the great Seattle Aviation things to see here (I won’t be able to pay for your entrance, but you have $2,500.00 for that)
* I will give you stickers
* I will show your video on the blog (if you want)
I kind of wish the contest included two first class tickets, instead of economy plus, but heck at least you get to check out the Red Carpet Club. Good luck and let me know if you enter (I won’t be hurt if you don’t come to Seattle). ENTER NOW.
This week, Delta Airline Lines celebrated their 70th year of being Atlanta’s hometown airline. This video helps to show how Delta changed from a small presence in Atlanta, when it moved from Monroe, LA in 1941 to now being the world’s largest airline. Over the years, Delta has grown to about 25,000 employees based just in Atlanta and adds over $25billion into the local economy.
“Delta Air Lines and Atlanta have a unique partnership that has been inextricably linked to the success and prosperity of our city and our airport for nearly three quarters of a century,’ said Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed. ’œThe strong relationships among companies such as Delta, state and local elected officials and civic organizations are what make Atlanta not only a global, dynamic city, but a great place to live and do business. Congratulations to Delta Air Lines, Chief Executive Officer Richard Anderson and all employees on the company’s 70th anniversary as Atlanta’s hometown airline.”
To help celebrate Delta created a special Coca-Cola livery on the “Spirit of Atlanta” which is a Boeing 777-200LR.
Really? This is the best they can do? So much white and a little too simple for my tastes. This is JAL's next livery.
This new livery from Japan Airlines (JAL) is a bit of a shocker to me. Earlier in the week, I started to see people talking on the web about JAL changing their livery and adding the historic crane back. I have actually like JAL’s current livery and was surprised to see them announcing a new one already. Then I started to see the drawings of what the new livery was supposed to look like.
At first I thought, “no way, what person did this mock up and showing it around the web?” It almost looked like someone made a custom livery on their home computer. So, I headed to the source and JAL’s press page. Holy smokes, they have the same mock up of the new livery. I am a little shocked that the mock up isn’t a little more professionally done, but I guess at least it gives us a good idea what it will look like.
At first I thought this livery was a horrid idea. Going from a pretty trendy looking livery with a nice cream-colored base to bleach white with just a crane and black titles. After some time looking at it, I don’t know what to think — I might have to wait until seeing it in person. It seems like it is very, very plain, but it might have a good enough retro feel to work. I think a clean red cheat-line might have brought it all together with a little update to the crane.
It seems a little odd to me that the company would be spending so much on a re-branding during a financially difficult time, but they are hoping it to celebrate the changes. The new livery will first be seen on a Boeing 767-300ER and I will for sure be looking for her in person to see how it turns out.
