Air New Zealand planes to get new paint scheme

Air New Zealand has rolled out a new look for its aircraft, unveiling a livery it says will adorn its entire fleet by the end of 2014.

The new look, which will feature an iconic silver fern, will phase out Air New Zealand's teal blue colors in favor of a mostly black and white scheme. The carrier's traditional "koru" design will remain on the tail, though it will shift to a white-on-black design.

Air New Zealand is rolling out the new branding as part of a NZ$20 million marketing partnership with Tourism New Zealand.

"The new-look livery is distinctive and iconic and we believe will inspire a sense of pride in New Zealanders," Air New Zealand CEO Christopher Luxon says in a statement.



The livery design process involved extensive consumer testing including focus groups both in New Zealand and outside the country.

Air New Zealand says "a clear preference was established for the New Zealand Way Fern Mark to be incorporated into the design with 78% of those surveyed believing it fits with the Air New Zealand brand and represented New Zealand."

The Star Alliance carrier will begin repainting all 103 of its aircraft in the new design throughout the year, with all jets expected to have the new look by the end of next year. Air New Zealand says the majority of its fleet will eventually feature the white version of the new livery and a limited number will feature the black version.

The New Zealand Herald reports that Air New Zealand's "first Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, due for delivery next year," will be painted in the black version.

USA today

Photos:Air New Zealand