As airlines and airplanes have evolved, so have their "liveries"— the exterior designs, including paint colors and logos, on the aircraft.
As planes crisscross the globe, their exterior graphics not only represent the companies that operate them, but in many instances also serve as visual ambassadors for their respective homelands.
A great airline livery gives onlookers a taste of a carrier's values or its culture in an attractive and effective color scheme.
You mess with this at your own peril. Airlines like Southwest, Spirit, and American have recently updated their liveries, with mixed results.
Others have hit home runs. Here's a selection of 15 airline exterior designs that look simply amazing.
15. Air Malta: The national airline of the small Mediterranean island nation recently revamped its livery to feature the Maltese Cross prominently on the tail and wingtips.
14. China Southern Airlines: Based out its hub in the city of Guangzhou, China Southern is the country's largest airline. Its elegant exterior design features a combination of multiple hues of blue with its tail dominated by a brilliant red kapok flower.
13. Asiana: The Seoul, South Korea-based airline may not have the eye-catching turquoise paint scheme of its rival — Korean Air — but its simple yet elegant design depicting a blossoming flower is still one of the best around.
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