Here is the first Airbus A319 in the new United/Continental Livery. I know it has been quite controversial and many of you readers have totally hated this new United livery. As I have said before, the more I see it, the more I get used to it and the more I like it. I actually think it looks best on this smaller Airbus A319 than it has on the Boeing 777 or in a Boeing 747 mock up. You can check out quite a few photos of the old and new livery of this Airbus A319 on Airliners.net. One exciting part of this combination, is we have never seen the “Continental livery” on an Airbus A320-family aircraft before. Has this “new livery” grown on you at all?
I was emailed this photo a few days ago and have been trying to track down the owner to give proper credit. If you know where this came from, please let me know.
United Airlines is currently hosting a new contest called, “United’s Three Perfect Days Contest,” which will allow one lucky winner to create a custom trip for them an a guest. All you need to do is make a creative video telling United where you want to go and why. Now, I have promoted some contests before, but I haven’t heard if any of you readers have actually entered. If you enter, I want to be sure to see your video. You enter view United’s Facebook, they will post the videos and you get to vote who is the winner. Here are the things you can win:
Prizes:
* One grand prize winner will receive a ’˜Three Perfect Days’ prize package including:
* Round-trip, economy class air transportation for two on United Airlines or United Express
*United Travel Options Premier Travel Plus for two (where available at select U.S. airports)
* Includes Economy Plus® Seating, First two standard checked bags free, Red Carpet Club one-time pass and more!
* $2,500 Visa® gift card for hotel accommodations and spending money
* Digital camera to document your trip
Two first prize winners will receive:
*50,000 United Mileage Plus® Miles
* Economy Plus® Annual Option
* $500 Visa® gift card
* Digital camera
Super AirlineReporter.com Bonus:
* If you are a reader and win this and choose to fly to Seattle, I will set up a special tour of all the great Seattle Aviation things to see here (I won’t be able to pay for your entrance, but you have $2,500.00 for that)
* I will give you stickers
* I will show your video on the blog (if you want)
I kind of wish the contest included two first class tickets, instead of economy plus, but heck at least you get to check out the Red Carpet Club. Good luck and let me know if you enter (I won’t be hurt if you don’t come to Seattle). ENTER NOW.
Do you work for United (or old Continental)? Do you stay healthy? You might win a brand new car!
For the past ten years Continental has been giving away free cars to employees who didn’t miss work due to illness for a period of six months. Employees who make it have their name placed into a drawing and if they win, they get a (pretend I am saying this in my best Price Is Right voice) brand new car! United will be continuing this tradition awarding 11 new cars annually.
United is going all out. Normally when a person wins something like a car, they are responsible for all the taxes and fees. However, United picks up the entire bill. I think there should be an official rule that is someone wins a car that is in your carpool group, they should drive everyday.
If you do not win the car, you still have a chance of winning $50 in cash or 5,000 frequent flyer miles. ’œPerfect attendance helps United provide consistent, reliable service to customers, and it also reduces our costs.’ President and CEO Jeff Smisek told United employees via a bulletin. To date Continental has given out about 180 cars (mostly Ford products) and more than 15,000 other awards.
I find it pretty cool that any company would do something like this and that United will be continuing the Continental tradition. Some might say it could encourage sick employees to go to work when they should stay home, but I doubt many employees would drag themselves to work just the idea of winning a car (at least I hope).
From the 1970's, the updated Friend Ship United livery.
The United Airlines voting booth is closed and a winning livery has been announced for United’s retro livery: the Friend Ship United Airlines livery. I am told that the retro livery will be put on an Airbus A320 and not on a Boeing 757 as previously reported. That’s too bad since my main argument against the Saul Bass livery (which I love dearly) is I have seen it on a Boeing 757, but I have never seen it on an Airbus A320. Plus, I think liveries just seem to look better on Boeing 757s than on the A320. Oh well, better than no retro livery.
It is unknown when the new livery will make its debut, but I am told it will be a part of United’s 85th birthday celebration, which would be in 2011 sometime. I would also assume United would be celebrating the union of two airlines into the new United. I hope that United will have their Airbus A320 in retro Friend Ship livery right next to Continental’s Boeing 737 in Blue Skyway livery (hint, hint United).
United asked their employees to vote on the retro livery they wanted to see and the Friend Ship livery won with about a third of the votes. I also conducted a United Airlines retro livery poll and 27% of the more than 1200 votes wanted to see the Saul Bass livery. For me, it was a win-win. I love airline liveries and especially enjoy retro liveries. Although not my first choice, I am very excited to see the new-old Friend Ship livery on an Airbus A320 soon.
Although there were Continental Boeing 777’s that were converted to the new United Airlines livery first, this aircraft (N222UA) was the first United Boeing 777 to be painted in the new Continental livery. A special thanks to Gordon Werner for pointing this one out.
