QANTAS

QANTAS (standing for Queensland And Northern Territory Air Services) is Australia's flag carrier. As such, a Kangaroo is the most suitable tail logo. On earlier versions of the colourscheme, the kangaroo also had wings, but with the current image (adopted in 1984) the wings were taken out, giving a cleaner shape. The airline has introduced a slightly modified livery last year (pending delivery of their first A380's), but the 'roo basically remained the same.
(VH-OJF, B747-400, Athens airport)

Air Pacific

Remaining in the Pacific region, what comes to one's mind upon hearing the word "Fiji"? Definitely sea, sand and sun, all represented in a splash of colour wrapped aroun the tail and rear section of the airline's equipment, with the nation's (and not the company's) name superimposed in white letters. One of my favourite (and exotic) liveries!

(DQ-FJK, B747-400, Sydney Kingsford Smith airport)

Air New Zealand

Reflecting the airline's Pacific culture, Air New Zealand's logo is named Koru, and is a symbol featured on the canoes of the country's early inhabitants. The twin spiral emblem has been as it is since 1973, albeit a livery change took place five years ago.
(ZK-OJI, Airbus A320, Auckland Int'l airport)

Austrian Airlines

Austrian airlines introduced this livery in 1996, the only difference with the old one (as far as the tail is concerned) is the addition of the red chevron on the white portion of the tail.
(OE-LBB, A321, Athens airport)

A few years later, another new variation of the livery appeared, giving the tail a more streamlined look, the chevron changing also its shape, and with a "shadow" of it underneath.
(OE-LAN, A330-200, Athens airport)

As Austria and Switzerland organize the Euro 2008, the respective airlines grabbed the chance for a special livery. Based on the latest image, the white part of the tail has adorned the look of a football.

(OE-LBU, A320, Athens airport)

...And as an airline with respect to its history and heritage, in early 2008, Austrian presented a retrojet, in the shape of an Airbus A320 painted in the airline's colourscheme as it was 50 years ago. The tail is just a representation of the national flag, albeit viewed horizontally. The first revenue flight of the retrojet was from Vienna to Athens, in late March 2008.

(OE-LBP, A320, Athens airport)

Air Berlin

Air Berlin, a well-known charter airline once, a schedule/charter giant of Europe today, has been throug some kind of identity crisis through the years! Below you can see its old colors, just spelling the airline's name , apparently thinking they need no company motif at all.
(D-ABAS, B737-800, Athens airport)
But, on their Fokjker 100's, they tried this. Three dashed lines insetad of the name. "Can this be our new logo?"
(D-AGPQ, Fokker 100, Athens airport)

"No, this cant'be. Let's change colours allover again". And they did, again featuring the airline's name in white on red backgroud.

(D-ABBB, B737-800, Athens airport)

...and about a year since the livery change, someone really decided to work on a motif and try it, in the shape of a circle, two waves(?) enclosed in an oval shaping, all together looking as if it doesn't fit the tail... Not my type, thanks!
(D-ABBF, B737-800, Athens airport)

Shall we hope for another variation next year?

Air Canada

Canada's national emblem, the Maple Leaf, in naturally adorning the tails if Air Canada. Like the shamrock of Aer Lingus, the maple leaf has also changed many forms throughout the years, the basic idea remaining the same.

(C-FCAF, B767-300ER, Sydney Kingsford Smith airport)

Aer Lingus

Another logo that has remained unchanged for over 40 years now, Irish flagcarrier AerLingus' shamrock, has received a more "aerodynamic" posture with the airline's latest livery.

(EI-DEE, Airbus A320, Athens airport)

Air Malta

A logo that has, like others, remained unchanged through the years and despite basic changes in the livery. The four-armed, eight-pointed Maltese Cross is prominently displayed in a red background, its four arms representing the four Christian values of prudence, fortitude, justice and temperance. The three blue stripes below represent the three islands of the nation, Malta, Gozo and Comino.

(9H-AEK, Airbus A320, Athens airport)

Evergreen International

Evergreen International, an old but very active contract cargo airline, is operating mostly Boeing 747 freighters. Its two-tone green logo has been a surprise to spotters at many airports, since Evergreen's Jumbos fly anytime anywhere!
(N485EV, B747-200F, Athens airport)

KLM

 KLM of the Netherlands, has a simple but effective tail logo, unchanged for almost 40 years now. The initials "KLM" (Koninklijke Luchtvaart Maatschappij meaning "Royal Dutch Airlines") appear on an all white tail, topped by a stylised royal crown. As with many airlines, the tail logo is repeated on the winglets, making an impressive sight if viewed from the right angle!
(PH-KCI, MdD MD-11, Athens Airport)








 

CSA - Czech Airlines

Czech flagcarrier CSA introduced western equipment in the form of 737's back in 1992. Along came a more "westernised" image which, although pointless and meaningless (three triangles aligned with the fin's leading edge - SO WHAT?) was meant to go along with the airline's rise into profit. (OK-YGU, B737-400, Athens airport)

Obviously, there was so much profit that in mid-2007, another livery change was deemed necessary. The company's name was also changed into "GlaxoSmith Kline" - errrr...wait...no. I was just mistaken with the similarity. More lack of point and meaning here,too. (OK-GEA, Airbus A320, Athens airport)

In all, the best tail CSA has "given us" was this special colourscheme adorning an Aero A-14, the aircraft which started it all for the airline, some 80 years back... (OK-DGL, B737-500, Athens airport. Ironically, this was the first aircraft to be repainted into the GlaxoSmithKline-like livery...)

Thai airways International

One of my personal favourites, Thai's royal orchid, has fortunately remained unchanged through the years. Easily one of the most recognizable airline symbols, the orchid has changed a background with the latest livery, but not its appearance.

Old image (HS-TKB, B777-300, Athens airport)

New image (HS-TJV, B777-200ER, Athens airport)

Alitalia

Alitalia, another economically stricken airline, has only recently updated its corporate image (unlike other companies...no names,please). The result is not that impressive (actually, it looks as if they used photoshop to drag the older logo downwards), but,still,a worthy try...

New image (EI-UPI, Mdd MD-11F,Athens airport)




Old image (I-DAWE, MdD MD-80, Athens airport)

TAAG - Angola Airlines

What comes first to your mind when you hear "Angola Airlines"? Dilapidated Tupolev's and weary 707's? NO! Here's a brand new Triple Seven for you, bearing the company's timed goat-with-circular-horns motif.

(D2-TEE, Boeing 777-200ER, Lisbon Portela airport)

Lufthansa - Retro edition

See what I told you? Liveries change, classic logos stay the same! This beautiful fifties style retro painting, which ,makes even an A321 look good, appeared three years ago, to the delight of us planespotters.

(D-AIRX, Airbus A321, Athens airport)

Lufthansa

Another classic, from Europe this time, Lufthansa's "Flying Crane", tracing its origin back to the early days of German aviation. It has remained the same over the years, despite the livery changes that have taken place.

(D-ALCN, MDD MD-11F, Athens Aiport)

Singapore Airlines

Not really mush to say here, neither for the company itself, nor for one of the most classic and powerful bird motifs ever to appear on a tailfin (a VERY BIG tailfin, lately, as well!)

(9V-SVC, Boeing 777-200, Athens Airport)

Euroair

Euroair has been around for quite some time now, mainly as an air-taxi operator. Entering more serious business, the company leased two MD-80's each one displaying a variation of the tail colours. They even ran a voting on their website for the appearance of their next aircraft's tail! Way to go!

(SX-BEV, MDD MD-80, Athens airport
 SX-BEU, MDD MD-80, Athens airport)

Ver-Avia

VerAvia (short for Vernicos Aviation) is now said to be controlled by Aeroland (see relevant entry), working on the domestic cargo market of Greece. A modern looking speedy symbol appears on the tail of its bright yellow-coloured Fairchild Metro's

(SX-BMO, Fairchild-Swearingen Metro, Athens Airport)

Hellenic Star Airways

Another defunct company, Hellenic Star once flew interisland with this Dash 7 and two Saab 340's. The star on the tail, not looking so Hellenic, bears a great resemblance to that of French (also non-existent nowdays) Star Europe Airlines

(SX-BNA, Dash 7, Athens airport)

Hellas Wings

A small, and now defunct, air taxi operator, cleverly combined the colours of the Hellenic flag and the shape of a wing on the tail of its sole Embraer Brasilia which, ironically, was never meant to fly earning revenue in these colours...

(SX-BHW, Embraer 120 Brasilia, Athens airport)

Aeroland

A small, but so far successful domestic cargo carrier, Aeroland cannot certainly boast an original tail logo. This feather/wing/comet/whatever made its first appearance on the company's first Dash-8.

(C-FRIY, Dash 8-100, Athens Airport)

Hellenic Imperial Airways

Suddenly, out of the blue, four Boeing 747 Jumbo jets are based in Athens and are registered in Greece. Unlike the proud powerful bird crossing the sun on the tailfin, the airline is still fledgling and trying to find more ad-hoc and subcharter contracts.

(SX-TIC, Boeing 747-200, Athens airport)

Aegean Airlines

A pair of seagulls flying in formation in front of a rising/setting sun(???). Although the airline is tending to dominate the Hellenic market, taking advantage of Olympic's losses, the livery is quite conservative and boring, the seagulls on the fin being its most striking element.

(SX-BBU, Boeing 737-300, Athens airport)

Olympic Airways part 3

Sometimes, the lessor companies happen to have liveries similarly coloured, which makes the transition easier. Here, this ex-Air Plus Comet machine lends its dark blue background to the circles.  Much darker than the original colors but, hey, who will ever notice?

Olympic Airways part 2

Representing the company's dire economic situation, variations of its classic tail logo can be seen. This leased Boeing 737, had only the tail logo and the company titles applied.

(SX-BLC, Boeing 737-300, Athens airport)

Olympic Airways

  Five circles representing the five continents, with a sixth circle being the company that connects them together. Although today this is far from true, one of the most classic tail logos struggles to grace the skies...
(SX-DFD, Airbus A340-300, Athens Airport)