Livery of the Week: Saudia’s Retro Paint Scheme

Editor’s Note: AirlineGeeks is proud to present 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. 

In 2021, to commemorate its 75th anniversary, Saudia, Saudi Arabia’s national carrier, unveiled two special liveries on a Boeing 777-300ER aircraft. One of these liveries featured a retro design inspired by Saudia’s livery from the 1970s and 1980s.

This special livery replaced the airline’s traditional light-gold color scheme with a prominent green and blue one. The design incorporated light and dark stripes that ran along the length of the 777-300ER, complemented by a green tail.

The retro livery wasn’t just a nostalgic nod to Saudia’s past. According to the airline, it symbolized pride in their heritage and the region’s growth during that era. The color scheme was said to reflect the landscapes of Saudi Arabia, further connecting the aircraft’s design to the nation it represented.

This special livery wasn’t intended for permanent use across Saudia’s fleet. It served as a celebratory design for their 75th anniversary. However, the retro aesthetic did influence Saudia’s overall rebranding in 2023, which incorporated a similar green color scheme as part of its new brand identity.

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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