Livery of the Week: ITA Airways’ Dazzling Blue Design

Editor’s Note: AirlineGeeks is excited to launch our ‘Livery of the Week’ series. Every Friday, a team member will share an airline livery, which can be from the past, present, or even a special scheme. Some airline liveries are works of art. The complexity associated with painting around critical flight components and the added weight requires outside-the-box thinking from designers. The average airliner can cost upwards of $200,000 to repaint, creating a separate aircraft repainting industry as a result.

Have an idea for a livery that we should highlight? Drop us a line. 

ITA Airways is Italy’s relatively new airline, having been launched in October 2021. However, its history can be traced back to the collapse of Alitalia, the country’s former flag carrier, in 2020.

Alitalia had been struggling financially for several years, and the COVID-19 pandemic only worsened its problems. In March 2020, the Italian government took control of the airline and announced plans to launch a new national carrier.

ITA Airways was created as a successor to Alitalia, and it took over many of Alitalia’s assets, including its fleet, routes, and staff. However, ITA Airways is a new company with a different business model. It claims to focus on a better operation and sustainability, and it is not burdened by the legacy debts of Alitalia.

By reducing costs and improving reliability, ITA Airways has made several positive changes since its launch. It has also strived to improve its customer service and expanded its network, including recently announced new service to Chicago and Toronto. The airline is also growing its fleet with modernized aircraft, including the A321neo and A220-300.

ITA Airways aircraft at Rome Fiumicino Airport. (Photo: ITA Airways)

A Bold and Blue Livery

The Italian airline has used a dazzling blue paint scheme as a catalyst for its post-Alitalia turnaround. Designed by Landor & Finch, the new branding is far bolder than its predecessors.

ITA Airways’ livery features a blue fuselage and white engines along with the Italian flag etched on the rudder. “ITA Airways” is also placed near the front of each aircraft.

An ITA Airways A350-900 (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

“The new livery of ITA Airways is characterized by the blue color, chosen as a symbol of unity, cohesion and pride of the country…,” the company said describing the livery in a press release.

“The rudder, the tricolor, on the blue background the white and red gold logo of ITA Airways and stylized icons inspired by the national artistic heritage,” the press release continued. The blue livery was first debuted on an Airbus A320.

With 73 aircraft in service, ITA Airways individually names each airplane after an Italian athlete. The carrier has also been known to use social media to solicit naming ideas for new aircraft.

As a newer airline, ITA Airways’ brand and livery is bold and eye-catching. The carrier is expected to expand more in the coming years with additional expansion plans.

Looking for a new airplane model? Head over to our friends at the Midwest Model Store for a wide selection of airlines and liveries. 

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Ryan Ewing

Ryan founded AirlineGeeks.com back in February 2013 and has amassed considerable experience in the aviation sector. His work has been featured in several publications and news outlets, including CNN, WJLA, CNET, and Business Insider. During his time in the industry, he's worked in roles pertaining to airport/airline operations while holding a B.S. in Air Transportation Management from Arizona State University along with an MBA. Ryan has experience in several facets of the industry from behind the yoke of a Cessna 172 to interviewing airline industry executives. Ryan works for AirlineGeeks' owner FLYING Media, spearheading coverage in the commercial aviation space.

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