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.
Gulf Air’s current standard livery centers on a stylized golden falcon that stretches across the tail and rear fuselage, forming the focal point of the Bahraini flag carrier’s visual identity. The falcon, a longstanding national symbol in Bahrain and the broader Gulf region, is rendered in metallic gold tones that contrast sharply against a predominantly white fuselage.
The design was introduced as part of a broader brand refresh during the airline’s fleet modernization program, coinciding with the delivery of new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners and Airbus A321neo aircraft. The updated scheme replaced earlier iterations that featured a darker gold tail and more traditional striping, opting instead for a cleaner, more minimalist presentation.
The falcon graphic extends beyond the vertical stabilizer, flowing forward along the rear fuselage in a sweeping motion that creates a sense of movement even when the aircraft is stationary. The remainder of the fuselage remains largely white, with “Gulf Air” titles in gold positioned along the forward section. The Bahraini flag appears near the cockpit windows, reinforcing the airline’s national identity.
Engine nacelles are also finished in metallic gold, complementing the tail design and giving the aircraft a cohesive, premium appearance. The simplified layout aligns with modern airline branding trends, placing greater emphasis on bold tail artwork rather than complex cheatlines or multi-color striping.
The livery is applied consistently across Gulf Air’s widebody and narrowbody fleet, ensuring uniform brand recognition whether operating regional services within the Middle East or long-haul routes to Europe and Asia.
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