Why are some airliners painted with the manufacturer and model?

Question

I've noticed in many pictures of airliners, even ones that are on their second or third, etc airline, the model of the plane will be painted on somewhere. For example "Boeing 737-700".

It seems to be up to the airline, but why do some do it and some not? Do they get some kind of an incentive from Boeing or Airbus to do it?

Answer 1

This lets potential bombers know how much explosives they must use.

Answer 2

They would like to be identified for the business.

Answer 3

Painting a large aircraft is not cheap.  Most airlines are not going to repaint an aircraft just to cover the manufacturer.  Besides having a solid name like Boeing or MacDonald Douglas on the side of a jet is a lot better than Bill's Taxidermy and Aircraft Manufacturing Company, LTD.  Way back NASA used to paint the external fuel tank and booster rockets white after every flight, but like I said that ain't cheap!  That is why they stay brown now!

Answer 4

No, it isn't advertising, and no, there's no incentive for doing it.

Most passengers don't care what type airplane they are riding on, but market research has shown that enough passengers do care that it is to the airline's advantage to show it on the fin--or some prominent place.

It's just good community relations, and it looks good.  It doesn't particularly cost the company anything extra to do it or not do it.  So most companies do.

Most passengers don't know that there is a builder's plate on the door frame of the left front passenger door that gives the manufacturer's name, model, certified gross weight, completion date, and lots more information on every airliner.  If people knew about that, they could look at the plate.  But most people would just find it confusing.

And some companies incorporate the manufacturer and model into the interior decor, at least on some models.  It looks neat, if properly done.

Answer 5

Why do you care?

But sometimes its for mechanics team so they'll know the exact make of plane so they can repair it.

Answer 6

a non item they just leave it on for instance when your car is painted the painter would leave Ford visible

Answer 7

Lets see, your cars, motorcycle, private airplane, snowmobile, lawn mower, snow blower, pleasure boat, weed-whacker all have the name brand on them...

The airplanes are painted at the factory and they paint the airlines colors and accent colors on them during there fabrication. So why would it be any different to have their model and name on it.

Answer 8

It's simply the mfg logo or name like anything else manufactured for sale. IDs the product to everyone.

PS.... older I had no idea a name & or logo on an aircraft would add that much weight. I bet it's not nearly as heavy as this fat lady in seat # 19C on the flight I was just on a few days ago. Sheeesh!

Answer 9

They do it just to show the colors of the country that it is destined  to, and nothing else

Answer 10

Different models have to be parked differently,  The cabin door  might not be at the same location on different aircraft.

A longer Boeing 777 may have to be parked closer to the terminal than a Boeing 767, to allow room behind the airvraft for other aircragt  at the airport to safely move on taxiways surrounding the termial.

Answer 11

It's either part of the sales contract, or it's part of the usual delivery, some airlines do it, some don't - but they will be consistent across their entire fleet.

Answer 12

If the plane is built to order by the manufacturer the mfr will often paint the livery on the plane before delivery.  That gives the opportunity to add a model number, in the same way as an automaker adds nameplates to their models.  Often you'll see the model info has suddenly gone missing on planes that have been re-liveried for second owners.

There was a time when airlines marketed the planes their passengers rode on to emphasize the comfort, speed or other qualities of the latest technology--for example,Eastern marketed their 727s as the Whisperjet--it was quieter to ride in than other planes.  Early  747s were known for the lounge on their upper decks--so airlines WANTED the model number of the airplane painted where riders could identify the plane while waiting in the terminal or approaching from the tarmac (more common back then than now).

Although today's budget traveller typically is more jaded than travellers in the 50s and 60s when jet technology was new and exciting, there is still some interest in specific models and (I think) some pandering to the aviation buffs on the passenger lists.  The A380 (the huge, 550-800 passenger double-decker airplane recently introduced by Airbus) is the latest in technology and, sure enough, early liveries show the A380 name painted prominently on the plane.  You can bet that "Dreamliner" will be painted on many of Boeing's 787s when they finally enter service in 2010.

Having the model number also serves a secondary purpose in identifying the type at the ramp so ramp workers know how to position the plane, what equipment to use to service it, etc.  This would be especially for new types that might be unfamiliar to ramp workers.  Your example of 737-700 (complete with the model number of -700) would be an example of this.

Do manufacturers give allowances to airlines who proudly display the manufacturer and model on their planes?  That seems to be hush-hush, but I've read where people "in the know" believe this may be the case.  I doubt it's much of an allowance, but you can bet if the mfr wants their name there enough they'll provide some kind of incentive.  My own suspicion is that the mfr just puts it there if the airline doesn't specify not to--no money changes hands.

Check Airliners.net for more info.

Answer 13

Because the airlines are charging the manufacturer for advertising space on their aircraft. Do you think for a moment that the airline is going to spend their own money to paint this on their aircraft. I think not.

Answer 14

It makes people who are buying flight tickets feel safe and secure.

Answer 15

its a kinda advertisement dat dey use to do....abt dat BOEING n AIRBUS...n on d other end likewise they also get some incentives from the company like who would like to make their logo painted on the aircraft.!

Answer 16

I thik that the airliners post their logo on the plane just cars do, because it declares the brand or model number of the plane.

Answer 17

WOW! Some of the things people say about that, lol.

Aircraft are identified by manufacture and an individual unique id number because they are all tracked all their lives mainly for maintenance purposes until they end up in a bone yard. Records are kept for the life of the plane of everything done to it, all incidents, and all it's flying time, and they stay with the plane all the way until it's in a bone yard, and they stay with the plane at the bone yard as well. (the bone yard is a name used for aircraft junk yards)

It has nothing to do with advertising, at all.

Answer 18

i'm suprised every time i see an a/c heavily painted because you would be suprised at how much weight it add's --all a/c have a max take off weight---the less weight on plane means  more weight available for revenue--besides passengers and baggage most airlines carry freight and mail--as far as i remember--southwest is the exception

                                                retired

Answer 19

Standard aircraft manufacturer's practice.

Answer 20

The pilots check it to make sure they get the right model when they do weight and balance....

Answer 21

Sometime manufacturers will borrow/rent that particular plane for special occasion, i.e. Airshow, News conference etc.

Of cause, there is no free lunch in this world, since manufacturers do not hold inventory at all.

Every plane they manufacture is make to order and pre-sold with no exception.

Answer 22

it's up to the airlines to paint the plane, but it's going to be painted before it leaves, might as well advertise, I'm an ex supervisor for Boeing.

Answer 23

You can bet the airline either gets a reduced price on the purchase of the plane or an annual fee to keep the manufactuers insignia on it.  It's a kind of advertising for the company.

The same thing happens in the movies where a character will be holding a can of Coca-Cola,  held just so the entire Coca-Cola logo is plainly visible to the camera... a built-in commercial for the product.

Nothing like this is ever done for no reason or by accident.  Behind every instance are reams of legalese and piles of contracts and plenty of money going back and forth.

Answer 24

The differences in painting-styles depends upon the financier of each airline.  Many airline co's rely solely upon their corporate sponsorship whereas others depend on other financiers (company directors, etc.)

Answer 25

Its like people say advertising but also so model collectors can say ya this is a boeing ... i know cause it looks like the one this airline uses. I mean its like getting the make and model on a car and the extras too sometimes like i have a (sadly) 1993 satrun sl2 and it even says twin cam on the back, its just something people do. and maybe some airlines are just lazy like there are cars that just have hood ornaments and no words anywhere and u just gotta no it by the ornament. There are many good reasons they do it. It also probably shows people what quality planes the airline provides for safe transportation of their customers. Or maybe cause its just cool.

Answer 26

It's the manufacturer's way of advertising their aircraft. Most are painted to order, but once a manufacturer-painted plane is sold, the buyer pays to have it re-painted in their colors.

Answer 27

it's like cars, manufacturers place their logos, models, and names. in this way, you take pride from what you ride

Answer 28

for the same reason the International Harvester logo is on the school bus

Answer 29

Not sure, but my guess would be they don't have an "airline" sponsering them like "SOUTHWEST" - the best airline you could ever use

Answer 30

They may get a cut from it, but the most obvious reason is to tell he passengers what type of aircraft it is. From there, you will know where the emergency exits are and how to operate it. It is also for show (like cars). Singapore Airlines painted airbus A380 on their plane to show it off. I saw the plane once at Sydney airport and many people didn't know it was an A380 until they saw the sign.

Answer 31

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