by jgf » Sat Sep 13, 2014 11:49 am
I agree. The simple styles of Panam, AA, or Delta were attractive in their simplicity. Today's aircraft are flying posters, often looking like the circus is in town.
Interestingly, about ten years ago several airlines experimented with returning to unpainted aircraft (polished aluminum). Depending on the aircraft, the weight savings was 400-1200lbs, which resulted in substantial fuel savings over a year. They had to polish the aircraft periodically to prevent corrosion, but found that scratches and damage were easier to see; it was found that polishing about once a year was sufficient, where they painted an aircraft every five or six years. Apparently this was fine for cargo aircraft but public reaction to unpainted, polished, passenger aircraft wasn't favorable. (I guess people are willing to pay more to travel in a painted aircraft.)
