Livery of the Week: Alaska Honors Military Service

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. 

Alaska operates a special aircraft livery, known as “Honoring Those Who Serve,” to pay tribute to members of the United States Armed Forces. The design, which was conceived by a group of Alaska Airlines maintenance technicians, features several symbolic elements.

The aircraft’s fuselage is painted blue, with a red stripe running along the side, reminiscent of the American flag. On each side of the aircraft, “Honoring Those Who Serve” is displayed prominently along the fuselage along with an “Alaska Airlines Salutes” medallion near the nose, featuring five stars representing the five branches of the U.S. military: Air Force, Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard.

An Alaska 737-900ER in the ‘Honoring Those Who Serve’ scheme (Photo: Ian McMurtry)

On the engine cowlings, five stripes further reinforce the connection to the five branches of the military. The winglets are also painted in an American flag theme.

Each version of the livery has a different quote near the rear cargo doors. On the 737-900ER, a quote from President Calvin Coolidge reads, “No person was ever honored for what they received. Honor has been the reward for what they gave.”

This special livery is not just a visual tribute; it is also part of a broader Alaska initiative called “Alaska Airlines Salutes,” which encompasses various programs supporting veterans, active military personnel, and their families.

The “Honoring Those Who Serve” livery has been featured on several aircraft types in the carrier’s fleet, including a Boeing 737-800 (N570AS), Boeing 737-900ER (N265AK), and Embraer 175 (N651QX). The special livery was first unveiled in 2016.

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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