To celebrate United Airlines’ 85th Anniversary next year, FAs (just the UA ones) will have a chance to vote on a classic livery that will be featured on a 757. The retro-schemed aircraft will survive the new UA “bingo container” paint jobs that will begin in earnest next year.
Here are the choices:
#1: 1934 design that debuted with the Boeing 247D and when company was known as United Air Lines
#2: 1946 dark blue and white livery from DC-4s when simply United was adopted
#3: 1950/1960 light blue stripe design
#4: 1970s “Friend Ship” design with 4-stars on tail that debuted on the DC-10
#5: The 1974 red, orange blue stripes, Saul Bass livery and the first to feature the tulip
I’d love to see one of each paint scheme bedeck a 757, but I have to admit my favorite UA livery (which sadly soon will be history) was not a choice:
I’d vote for that one, though I really do like all of them. Which one do you prefer?
When I initially saw this posted on FT, I wanted the Saul Bass livery. Now that I think about the ones I’ve seen from Lufthansa & US Airways (Piedmont), I’ve changed my mind and want to go even more retro and I’d vote now for #1 or #4. Ok, ok… I’ll pick just one. #1 it is.
I’d pick #3 for sure. Every airline should go back to the classic cheat line design. In fact, I’d like to see Delta get rid of their white albatross design and go back to their cheat line and delta logo on the door.
They should just do 1 of each like how US Airways has a plane in the liveries of the airines they have annihilated over the years.
Is it just me, or is United sorely lacking in special liveries? Delta, Airtran, and US Airways all have various sports teams and such. United must claim all the old grey planes as vintage or something to make them feel like they are with the curve.
@Grace: I love US Airways’ classic paint schemes and agree–one of each would be nice.
I’ve got to admit, though, I hate sports team logos on airplanes and don’t even like UA’s Oprah jet.
Love the origingal blue “Jet Age” cheatline design..this version is most similar to the 727 “Ship One” livery…my second choice would have been the (Eventually chosen) FriendShip livery. My Dad and older borther both worked for UAL back when flying was something special..not the “Greyhound In The Skies” of today.
My DAD worked at Gen Mitchell Field (MKE) during THE 60 s (United Air Lines) I grew up with the #3 Livery paint design So this is my Favorite.. But I have also gone through the the Stars and Bars and the Rainbow livery (SAL Bass)