Why is American the only airline which did never change their painting (while i.e. United/Delta do it)?

Question

Why is American the only airline which did never change their painting (while i.e. United/Delta do it)?

Answer 1

American, instead of paint, leaves the Alclad exposed.

Alclad is a thin, highly polished layer of aluminum.

While a coat of paint MAY look smooth, up close, you can see the runs, ripples, etc, that would make it a little less aerodynamic.

Also, paint adds quite a bit of weight to the aircraft.

Don't believe me? Heft a 5 gallon bucket of paint some time, multiply by how many needed to paint a 747, then get back to me.

This weight decreases the fuel economy.

Answer 2

flying090401,

There is paint on their planes, just 3 stripes on the fuselage, then there's the tail.

Former CEO (C.R. Smith, 1934-1968) hated painted aircraft...

Though I get what you mean. I like their scheme.

Answer 3

American has changed their paint job over the years.  Also they do repaint their airplanes when they need to be...just like Delta, NWA, United, etc.  You just don't notice it.

Answer 4

american has no paint on the plane...they keep it metal...paint is a hugh cost in fuel .  less paint =- less weight...less weight =less fuel used.  less fuel used more profit.

Answer 5

For decades American Airlines has used a mostly bare metal scheme.  It saves weight and does not have to refurbished ever like paint.  In the last days of Eastern Airlines that airline tried it too as a cost cutting measure.  They blue/teal hockey stick just looked cheap without the white background.  

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The new Delta scheme is their best yet.  Clean and distinctive.  Their red, blue, light blue flag on the tail although nice just didn't say DELTA.

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With the advent of composite airliners like the 787 you have to wonder what the AA examples will look like when they order the new airliner. The unpainted tail of it's A300s are gray as are other composite areas.  I'm not sure what the base color of a 787 would look like. They look black while being manufactured, mustard yellow on the assembly line.

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