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.
American Airlines offers a glimpse into the past with their AstroJet retro livery. This special paint scheme isn’t simply cosmetic – it’s a revival of a design used on its fleet in the mid-1960s.
The original AstroJet livery was a product of the Jet Age. It featured a polished aluminum fuselage with a striking red “lightning bolt” stripe, all designed to evoke speed and modernity. The so-called ‘meatball’ AA logo adorns the tail.
While the original livery lasted only a few years, it left a lasting impression. In 2000, American Airlines brought it back on a Boeing 737-800, a nod to their heritage and a hit with aviation enthusiasts. The success led to another retro jet in 2017, which replaced the older aircraft.
Today, the retro livery is on a Boeing 737 registered as N905NN.
Looking for a new airplane model? Head over to our friends at the Midwest Model Store for a wide selection of airlines and liveries.
