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Qantas reveals new livery and logo

written by WOFA | October 27, 2016

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VH-QPJ flew into Sydney from Victorville, California – where it was repainted – on Thursday morning. (Seth Jaworski)

Qantas has unveiled an updated livery and kangaroo logo to coincide with plans to introduce the Boeing 787 into service late next year.

The airline says the new livery is only the fifth to be introduced since the kangaroo first appeared on Qantas aircraft in 1944, and the first livery refresh since 2007 ahead of the Airbus A380’s introduction into service the following year.

“A fresh brand helps symbolise the new era Qantas is entering as we head towards our centenary. It’s an era of new destinations, new technology and a new standard of service,” Qantas CEO Alan Joyce said in a statement on Thursday.

The new design was overseen by industrial designer Marc Newson in partnership with Australian design agency Houston Group.

“This new brand is more streamlined and the shading behind the kangaroo gives a better sense of movement and depth. A silver band now extends from the tail to the rear of the fuselage, to give a more premium feel,” Newson said in a statement.

“The typography for the word Qantas, which measures almost two metres high on the 787, has been carefully streamlined. And Qantas will appear on the aircraft’s belly, so you can tell when it’s the national carrier flying overhead.”

The first aircraft to be repainted in the new livery, A330-300 VH-QPJ, was unveiled to media and guests at Qantas’s Jet Base at Sydney Airport on Thursday morning, where the airline also unveiled first details of its 787-9 cabin configuration.

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The new design will gradually appear across the Qantas network from today, starting with digital assets, signage and advertising, the airline said.

“Updating branding on aircraft will be sequenced with scheduled re-paints, to be completed in time for the airline’s centenary in 2020.”

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VH-QPJ is towed into Hangar 96. Note the positioning of the traditional flying kangaroo and aircraft name under the flightdeck windows. (Seth Jaworski)
NEW QANTAS BRAND SUMMARY 
  • A streamlined kangaroo on the tail of the aircraft, with shading to give it a sense of depth and movement. The kangaroo itself has been simplified for a cleaner, more modern look.
  • A silver band has been added to the rear of the aircraft, flowing from the tail through to the rear of the fuselage for a more premium feel and more contrast between the red tail and the rest of the aircraft.
  • A new, slimmer font for the world ‘Qantas’ on the side of the aircraft and the colour made slightly lighter.
  • The word Qantas is added to the belly for increased visibility when aircraft are flying overhead.
  • Adding the kangaroo to the inside curved edge of the wingtips so that they are visible in-flight and meaning they will also appear in pictures people take out the aircraft windows.
  • Replacing, centring and enlarging the kangaroo that appears on outboard engine cowls, so that it is more prominent and identifiable.
  • Re-introducing the iconic ‘winged kangaroo’ that featured on Qantas tails in the 1960s, ’70s, and ’80s by placing it under the cockpit window and integrating it with the aircraft name currently in this position (note: the actual aircraft names are unchanged).
    The classic ‘Qantas red’ and white of the fuselage are unchanged.

Source: Qantas

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The enlarged logo on the engine nacelle. (Seth Jaworski)
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The arm-less roo. Note the shading on the rear of the roo’s body and tail. (Seth Jaworski)
© Kurt Ams
The new livery features the Qantas name on the underbelly. Note too the silver band ahead of the red tail. (Kurt Ams)

Qantas has published this video of VH-QPJ being repainted:

And it has released this video to promote the new livery:

QF tails line-up copy
Evolution of the Qantas livery in the jet age. (Qantas)

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