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.
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Croatia Airlines’ standard livery centers on the distinctive red-and-white checkerboard pattern derived from the Croatian coat of arms. The motif appears on the vertical stabilizer and extends onto the rear fuselage, creating a visual identity that immediately connects the airline to its home country.
The carrier unveiled the latest version of the livery in 2024 as part of a broader rebranding tied to the arrival of its new Airbus A220 fleet. While the redesign modernized several elements, it retained the checkerboard tail that has defined Croatia Airlines for decades. The updated scheme removes the blue-painted belly used on previous aircraft in favor of an all-white fuselage, creating a cleaner and more contemporary appearance.
The aircraft’s fuselage is predominantly white, with enlarged “Croatia” titles displayed in dark blue along the forward section. The simplified layout allows the checkerboard tail to become the focal point of the design while maintaining a consistent appearance across the fleet. Small Star Alliance branding remains near the forward boarding door on member aircraft.
The livery is being introduced alongside Croatia Airlines’ fleet renewal program, which will eventually see the airline transition to an all-Airbus A220 fleet. The new aircraft replace a mix of Airbus A319s, A320s, and Dash 8-Q400 turboprops that served the airline for more than two decades.
Unlike many modern airline liveries that rely on gradients or abstract graphics, Croatia Airlines’ design draws directly from a national emblem that has represented Croatia for centuries. The checkerboard, known locally as the šahovnica, has long been associated with the country’s identity and remains the airline’s most recognizable visual feature.
Looking for a new airplane model? Head over to our friends at the Midwest Model Store for a wide selection of airlines and liveries.
