Stories from Seat 4A

Stories from Seat 4A

Flying Colors

Why the Paint on an Airliner Is One of the Most Expensive—and Strategic—Decisions an Airline Ever Makes

David C Forward's avatar
David C Forward
Apr 07, 2026
∙ Paid
Vibrant departure from ANA's traditional conservative blue and white livery
Photo credit: By Konstantin von Wedelstaedt - http://www.airliners.net/photo/All-Nippon-Airways/Boeing-747-481D/1600890/L/, GFDL 1.2, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=8397578

An airline’s livery is the most expensive thing it owns that does absolutely no useful work.

It adds weight, costs money, and takes aircraft out of service for up to …

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