In general, aircraft have always utilized colors for practical viewing reasons. For example, the lighter-colored top of the fuselage and wings make it easier to see from above, as the aircraft will contrast against the darker ground. Additionally, the darker underbelly of the fuselage and wings on a plane allows it to be seen against the brighter sky. However, several airlines use this space on the underbelly and paint a logo or their name on the large area.
Airlines across the world utilize the underbelly space
It is interesting to see which airlines take advantage of this space and which do not. Many of the world's most popular airlines leave it blank and use the rest of the aircraft to show off their logos and further designs.
For example, the world's largest airline in terms of passengers carried in 2022 was American Airlines. However, the long underbelly of its aircraft is typically painted a solid gray color like the rest of the fuselage. The only extra design the livery utilizes is on the tail, and the iconic logo placed on the fuselage's side.
Other popular airlines utilize this same philosophy. For example, several of the top 10 most popular airlines have standard underbelly paint jobs. These airlines include United Airlines, Lufthansa, China Southern Airlines, and Air France.
However, a few notable airlines take a different approach. These carriers utilize the underbelly space to create a unique fuselage design contributing to a very identifiable livery.
One of the most flown airlines in Europe, British Airways, utilizes a dark blue underbelly that creates a unique livery. This allows the plane to be easily identified from afar, whether descending, taking off, or even on the ground. JetBlue Airways is another example of this split underbelly and fuselage type of paint job.
Airlines that take it further
Some airlines have painted the underbelly but have taken it a step further by including a logo or design on the belly. This space can be seen from the ground, on landing or takeoff, and helps the plane be easily identified. Some of the most prominent airlines in the world utilize this to ensure the aircraft is appropriately identified on takeoff or landing.
One of the most popular airlines that utilize this design, and many consider it to have pioneered the idea, is Emirates. Emirates has used the large wording of the airline's name on the belly of the aircraft since 2005.
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Another famous example of the branding underneath the plane is Delta Air Lines. Delta has been doing this since 2015 to increase brand recognition from the ground. Adam Pinsley, a graphic designer who brought the logo to fruition, spoke about the branding upon inception. He said,
"It fits with our brand promise of being thoughtful and innovative and really adds a unique element to what is already a sleek and modern aircraft livery."
Another of the most popular airlines, Southwest Airlines, takes a different approach. The standard livery for a Southwest Airlines aircraft is a fuselage that is almost entirely blue.
The Texas-based airline believes the all-blue aircraft is easily recognizable and can be identified from afar anywhere. Southwest Airlines also takes a unique approach by painting a heart on the belly, which it has been doing since 2014. This airline says that the logo "puts the airline's heart on display, showcasing the strength of the nearly 46,000 employees company-wide."