DALLAS — American Airlines (AA) has painted its aircraft to commemorate its past, special causes, and more. Here are some of the older ones and newer additions.
The “Heritage Jet” collection recently consisted of A319, Boeing 737 aircraft with liveries from AirCal, Allegheny, PSA, Piedmont, Reno Air, and TWA, all of AA’s lineage.
Other special paint schemes include the “Stand Up for Cancer” on one of the carrier’s A321, the oneworld Alliance on multiple Boeing 737s and 777s, and the 1960s “Astrojet” retro logo on a Boeing 737-800.
Besides teaming up with the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation with a pink-ribboned Boeing 777, AA also partners with “Stand Up to Cancer” with this particular paint scheme on an A321-231.
Heritage Jet #1 features Pittsburgh-based Allegheny Airlines, which was renamed US Air in 1979, and US Airways before merging with AA. This is an ex-US Airways N745UW, an A319 delivered in 2000.
Heritage Jet #2 pays tribute to San Diego-based Pacific Southwest Airlines, which merged with US Air in 1988. This A319, ex-US Airways, has its distinctive “smile” painted below the airplane’s nose.
Heritage Jet #3 belongs to the formerly registered US Airways A319 under N744US. It was delivered to US Airways in 2000. Piedmont, with hubs in Baltimore and Charlotte, was another carrier that merged with US Air in the late 1980s.
Heritage Jet #4 shows a Boeing 737-823. Delivered to AA in 2013. It commemorates Reno Air, mainly out of Las Vegas, Reno, and San Jose, CA.
American Airlines has more than one aircraft with the “oneworld” paint scheme. Above is one of its Boeing 737-823s with the alliance logo, delivered to AA in 2010.
American chose this 737-823 for its “AstroJet” paint scheme. Delivered to AA in 2000. The livery lasted from 1964 to 1968.
The 1980s America West retro livery has been featured on several aircraft. As for AA’s current heritage fleet, the scheme is now on the airline’s A321, as per the following aircraft:
What’s your favorite AA retro livery from the “Heritage Jet” collection? Be sure to leave your comments on our social media channels.
Featured image: Boeing 737-823 on approach at DFW. Delivered to AA in 1999. Its livery features the once venerable Trans World Airlines, which was acquired by AA in 2001. All photos: Author, unless otherwise stated
