Quantcast

United Airlines retires iconic 'Tulip' logo after merger with Continental

Airline Stocks Led The Travel Industry's Record 2024 Rally. Here's What's Next.
It’s beginning to look like another record for holiday travel
Qantas engineers walk off job on one of the busiest travel days of the year
South Korea to safeguard competition after Korean Air, Asiana merger
China Southern returns to Adelaide
Global Airline Industry Revenues Forecast To Top $1 Trillion For First Time In 2025
EasyJet to launch six new routes from the UK next year with £24 flights
Here's Why Analysts Say It's a Good Time to Buy Airline Stocks
A No-Frills Airline Is Getting Into the Premium Game
TAKING OFF: Major airline introduces new inflight service rules with less time to order your drinks
2 Delta flight attendants fail breathalyzer test before flight to JFK
EasyJet reveals plans for new flights from regional UK airport next summer
Airlines not switching quickly enough to green jet fuel, study says
Alaska Airlines tech issue briefly grounds planes in Seattle, disrupts bookings on Cyber Monday
US Senate panel criticizes rising airline seat fees, will call execs to testify
Spirit’s Demise Is a Lesson in ‘Airline-o-nomics’
Inside BA’s new first-class suites: £800 an hour for most private seat
Focus: US airline flight crews confident and angry as unions seek richer contracts
Hawaiian Airlines Eliminates Widebody Route Amid Alaska Airlines Merger
US budget airlines are struggling. Will pursuing premium passengers solve their problems?
Delta CEO says the Trump administration will reverse government ‘overreach’ seen under Biden
Spirit Airlines files for bankruptcy: How will it affect your travel plans?
British Airways yet to identify cause of latest IT meltdown
Delta Airlines Will Start Serving Shake Shack Cheeseburgers Next Month
United Sees Nearly 30% Surge in Travel to European Christmas Markets
Budget airline Israir to launch flights between Israel and NY, ending wartime monopoly by flagship carrier El Al
Asia's airlines blame supply chain woes for disrupted operations
Qantas and Qatar Airways: Planned partnership in the Australian aviation industry under the microscope
Spirit Airlines delays release of Q3 financial results as debt restructuring talks heat up
Delta investigating after plane’s nose mysteriously suffered damage
United Airlines retires iconic 'Tulip' logo after merger with Continental
Policy
Webp received 597420496251037
Scott Kirby Chief Executive Officer of United Airlines. | United Airlines, Inc.

United Airlines, a legacy carrier known for its iconic branding, has retired its 'Tulip' logo. Over the years, United Airlines has gone through several rebranding phases, each reflecting changes in the airline's strategy and identity.

In its early days, United's logo featured a silhouetted map of the United States before transitioning to a shield design. This shield underwent various modifications over time, eventually giving way to the 'spike' logo with blue and black lettering. During these years, United also experimented with different aircraft liveries, including the "Friend Ship" livery in the 1960s.

The most notable change came in the 1970s when United hired graphic designer Saul Bass to create a new brand identity. After two years of research and development by Bass and Associates, United unveiled its new logo in 1974. The design consisted of two overlapping U-shapes slanted at a 68-degree angle featuring red, blue, and white colors. This logo became known as the 'Tulip.'

Get the Newsletter
Sign-up to receive weekly round up of news from Sky Industry News
By submitting, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. By providing your phone number you are opting in and consenting to receive recurring SMS/MMS messages, including automated texts, to that number from our short code. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help, STOP to end. SMS opt-in will not be sold, rented, or shared.

With this new branding came significant changes to the aircraft livery. Vibrant stripes were added along the fuselage as part of a popular paint scheme trend called cheatlines. The updated branding also included modernizing the wordmark with "a modern square-like sans-serif in all-caps," according to Logo Histories.

United retained this logo for decades until another rebranding exercise in 1993 introduced a dark blue and gray fuselage known as the 'Battleship' livery while keeping a smaller Tulip design. In 2004, British design company Pentagram further evolved the branding with larger cropped versions of the Tulip.

In 2010, following a merger with Continental Airlines that created one of the world's largest airlines at that time, United adopted Continental's globe logo instead of retaining its own Tulip symbol. Former CEO Oscar Munoz stated: “As we improve and elevate our customer experience...this modernized design enhances...the very best of United's image.”

Other airlines have similarly evolved their logos over time; American Airlines replaced its eagle emblem between two As in 2013 while Emirates revealed an updated livery in 2023 featuring bolder gold lettering across aircraft bodies alongside dynamic UAE flag designs on tailfins among other elements.

Organizations Included in this History
More News

UPS has operated one of the longest direct air cargo routes in the United States since 2018, connecting Louisville’s Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF) in Kentucky with Dubai International Airport (DXB) in the United Arab Emirates.

Aug 2, 2025

The Boeing 737 MAX 10 is the largest version of the 737 family, designed to compete with the Airbus A321neo.

Aug 2, 2025

Russian airline Aeroflot reported significant flight disruptions on Monday, July 28, due to a failure in its information systems.

Aug 2, 2025

After more than four years, American Airlines will reintroduce its Boeing 777-200ER aircraft on the New York John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) route starting October 6.

Aug 2, 2025

The Airbus A321XLR, which entered service in late 2024, is now the longest-range narrowbody aircraft available.

Aug 2, 2025

The Boeing 747 and Airbus A380 are the only commercial jetliners with a partial or full second passenger deck, and both have left a significant mark on aviation history.

Aug 2, 2025