A discussion about the airline industry, airline employees, and all things related

As Delta Air Lines prepares to exit from bankruptcy protection, the carrier has hinted at unveiling its third new paint scheme in just under 10 years.  Though the airline has said very little on the new paint scheme, they acknowledge that a new paint job might be in the works as part of a larger post-bankruptcy marketing campaign.  Just last year they unveiled a new employee attire.  This makeover for the planes in conjunction with their standard employee uniforms might signal that Delta Air Lines is looking to improve their look to a new younger, more forward thinking product.  

The main feature of the new design is likely to be the return of Delta's triangular shield logo, known as "the widget," to the tail of its jets, according to one employee familiar with the design.   Big jets are flying billboards, so airlines take paint schemes seriously. Different managements also use them to put their stamp on a company or as part of broader "re-brandings."

When Continental Airlines came out of bankruptcy in the 1990's, then CEO of the airline, Gordon Bethune, made sure that all the jets were painted the same scheme in order to signify a company unity.  

Something that Delta Air Lines does that helps promote needy causes but also allows passengers to be aware of the company's charity involvement involves painting a handfull of aircraft highlighting civic causes such as Habitat for Humanity or breast cancer awareness. 

But at what cost will this come to Delta Air Lines?  The cost of re-painting a jet plane is in the thousands.  And with over 400 jets to paint, it could be a costly company unity project.    

The Atlanta Journal Consitution 

United Airlines unveiled their paint scheme years ago and still have not repainted all their aircraft.  I still see "Shuttle by United" planes out there.  And US Airways has only repainted less than 1/3 of their fleet.

But I'm all for bringing back the "widget" for Delta.