Sierra Pacific Airlines Boeing 737-200 taken at Boeing Field (BFI). Photo by Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren.
I am always game for an airline in the US operating with a few classic Boeing 737-200s. It is rare to find one still operating in the US and soon, it will surely be impossible.
Sierra Pacific Airlines was founded in 1971 and currently operates two 737-200s (N703S and N712S) out of their base in Tucson, AZ. The airline runs charters and sub-charters for other airlines, while also running flights for the US Forest Service, US Military and the US Marshals.
Like most classic airliners, comes a classic livery and Sierra Pacific is no different. The livery rocks that cheat-line that is not seen on many of today’s modern jets.
Seeing this livery next to others a bit more modern, it comes up a bit short. Yet seeing it as an historical package, how can one not like it?
Turkmenistan Airlines Boeing 737-700.
Turkmenistan Airlines was founded in 1992 and is the flag carrier of Turkmenistan. The airline operates an almost all Boeing fleet consisting of the 717, 737-300, 737-700, 737-800, Boeing 757-200, 777-200LR (in VIP configuration), An-2, Mi-8 and the Il-76TD used for cargo operations.
Turkmenistan Airlines carries out schedule flights to 15 different cities with-in Europe and Asia.
Their livery is simplistic, with just a green tail and engines, with matching green titles on the fuselage. Almost every livery looks best on the Boeing 757 and I think this one is no exception.
Image: Andrew Seiber
An Airbus 319 in Nashville giving new meaning to the term ’œRam Jet’. Photo by Andrew Vane.
This week’s airline livery comes from Drew Vane. Here is his story in his own words:
If ever there was an airline livery for animal lovers, it’s Frontier Airlines. If you’ve happened to fly anyplace west of the Mississippi, chances are you’ve seen the wildlife friendly tails.
Every since Frontier Airlines announced the “new” re-branded name after merging with Midwest, the airline has continued to wow passengers with their tails, even if the animals painted on them don’t always have them. Not only are these aircraft beautiful works of art, they’re also all unique to each individual aircraft. Be it a regional jet or turboprop flying under Frontier Express or an Airbus A320 series for the main airline, Frontier has as many liveries as it does aircraft. I suppose you could say its got more liveries than any other airline. They even recently had a voting option for the next tail animal with Polly the Parrot pulling in 39% of the vote.
As a wholly owned subsidiary of Indianapolis based Republic Airways Holdings, Frontier Airlines has rapidly grown in its 18 year history to reach 80 destinations from its hubs in Denver, Milwaukee and Kansas City.
I haven’t had the privilege of flying on Frontier but I did catch a glimpse of some of their fleet in Nashville last month. Airline Reporter featured both the Fox and Bald Eagle in past stories. I think they should do away with the traditional N registration numbers mandated by the FAA and register their aircraft with the mascot’s name. I can just hear the pilots on the radio: ’œFrontier Polly want an approach cracker.’
How many animals have you flown on and what are your thoughts on this livery?
A Small Planet Boeing 737-300. Photo from Small Planet Airlines / Flickr
Small Planet Airlines started operations in October 2008 under the name FlyLal. In 2010, the airline decided to re-brand with its current name Small Planet.
They operate out of Vilnius International Airport (VNO) in Lithuania with a fleet of two Airbus A320s and six Boeing 737-300s. Small Planet offers charter services to four markets: Lithuania, Poland, Italy and the UK.
How can you not like this livery? Okay, maybe the yellow letters on the white fuselage wasn’t the best call in all lighting situations. However, the tail and the image of the globe is quite epic. The longer A320 has quite a bit of white and the livery does look a bit better on the smaller 737-300 in my opinion.
Not really related to the livery, it appears that their flight attendants have some pretty slick uniforms as well.
Thanks to @JaMiDez for pointing this one out.
Aerosvit Boeing 737-800 (UR-AAN) seen at Boeing Field. Click for larger. Photo by Andrew Sieber.
While recently driving down I-5, passing Boeing Field, I couldn’t help but notice a Boeing 737 with a bright yellow nose and I wondered what airline it belonged to. It did not take long to find that it belongs to the Ukrainian based airline Aerosvit.
My own experience goes to show how much this livery pops out. Driving by Boeing Field (south of Seattle), one is often treated to Boeing 787s, 747s, 737s and a lot of other aviation eye candy. It takes a special livery to really demand attention — and I have a feeling that was the intent.
I am always a fan of an airline that is not afraid to go with a bold livery and I think Aerosvit did a great job with this one, especially considering their old livery was a bit bland.
Aerosvit Airlines has been in operation since 1994 and currently serves over 70 destinations. It is part of the Ukrainian Aviation Group, which also includes Dniproavia and Donbassaero (which both have similar, yet very different liveries — click on the airline’s name to see).
Aerosvit operates a fleet of Boeing 737-300s, 737-400s, 737-500s and 767-300ERs. Soon, they plan to take delivery of seven Boeing 737-800s and four Boeing 737-900ERs. With-in the Ukrainian Aviation Group, Aerosvit also has access to Airbus A320s and soon a few Embraer E-190s.
