Livery of the Week: Southwest

The carrier's livery has seen some changes in its over 50-year history.

A Southwest Boeing 737-700 (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Katie Zera)

[ Livery of the Week ]March 28, 2025 3:41 pm ET

By Ryan Ewing

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.

Southwest’s livery has undergone several transformations since the airline launched in 1971. The original livery featured a desert gold, red, and orange color scheme, reflecting the company’s Texas roots. The airline’s early fleet of Boeing 737 aircraft prominently displayed the gold fuselage with red and orange accents along the tail and engine nacelles.

In 2001, Southwest introduced the “Canyon Blue” livery, which replaced the desert gold with a bold blue color. The design retained red and yellow stripes on the tail, offering a fresh yet recognizable appearance. The airline gradually repainted its fleet in this color scheme, maintaining its signature heart logo and commitment to a vibrant brand identity.

A Southwest 737-700 in the ‘Canyon Blue’ livery (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

In 2014, Southwest unveiled its current livery, known as “Heart.” The design features a predominantly blue fuselage with the Southwest name displayed in large white letters along the forward section of the aircraft. A heart symbol, representing the airline’s dedication to hospitality and customer service, is prominently placed near the nose. The tail continues to showcase the airline’s signature red, yellow, and blue stripes.

The “Heart” livery was part of a broader brand refresh, which included updates to Southwest’s airport signage, digital platforms, and employee uniforms. The carrier retired its last aircraft with the “Canyon Blue’ livery last year.

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.

Follow Ryan

Author

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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