Quantcast

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

Airline praises pilots in crash-landing where both died but nearly half the passengers survived
Mexico state airline to buy five Embraer planes next year
A record number of people are expected to fly over the holidays. That's good for travel stocks, but not for passengers.
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
Qatar Airways cleans up at the World Travel Awards
All of the strikes at European airports this winter – find out if you are affected
Meet the CEO trying to turn around Air India, the 92-year-old airline with a pile of problems
Skiplagging: Unpacking the Risky Travel Trend That Involves Tricking Airlines
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
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

A United Express Embraer E175, operated by Mesa Air Shuttle, made an emergency landing at Charleston International Airport (CHS) late on June 18.

Jun 23, 2025

Earlier this week, a Ryanair Boeing 737 MAX 8-200 experienced an incident upon landing in Greece.

Jun 23, 2025

The Salt Lake City International Airport's $5.2 billion reconstruction project is nearing completion, with the final phases expected to conclude in 2026.

Jun 23, 2025

The Airbus A380, once celebrated as the world's largest passenger aircraft, is seeing its role in global aviation diminish.

Jun 23, 2025

Passengers on Southwest Airlines flight 3508 experienced significant turbulence on June 14, resulting in serious injuries to one passenger.

Jun 23, 2025

The Canadian government has released a report on the state of the airline industry, emphasizing the need for increased competition to enhance affordability, service, and choice for consumers.

Jun 23, 2025