Livery of the Week: Air India

This livery was debuted on the airline's new A350s.

Air India’s first A350 aircraft (Photo: Air India)

[ Livery of the Week ]May 2, 2025 1:12 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.

In 2023, Air India unveiled a new livery as part of a broader brand refresh under the Tata Group’s ownership. The updated design marks the first major visual overhaul for the carrier in decades and reflects ongoing efforts to reposition the airline for international growth.

The new livery features a clean white fuselage with a deep red underbelly and updated “Air India” titles. The tail incorporates a modernized version of the airline’s historic Indian window arch motif, rendered in a geometric gold and red design.

This new branding replaces the long-standing red-and-white scheme that included the signature jharokha-style window frames and the Maharaja mascot, both of which were associated with Air India for over 50 years. According to the airline, the new look is intended to represent a modern, confident India on the global stage.

The first aircraft to wear the new livery was an Airbus A350. The repainting process is expected to continue gradually across the existing fleet as part of a larger modernization program that includes fleet renewal, cabin upgrades, and enhanced service standards.

An Air India Boeing 777-300ER (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

While public reception has been mixed, especially among those familiar with Air India’s legacy branding, the airline has positioned the redesign as a step toward aligning its identity with global premium carriers. With the Tata Group planning significant investments into fleet and infrastructure, the new livery is one of many changes aimed at revamping the airline’s image in a competitive international market.

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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