American Updates Logo, Look of Planes

American Airlines is still in the midst of bankruptcy proceedings, but at least it's got a new look. The airline showed off the first plane bearing a new paint design at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport today. The familiar red, white, and blue stripes along the side of the fuselage are gone, replaced by a new logo and "American" in large letters on the silver body. Red and blue horizontal bars are emblazoned on the tail. (Business Insider provides a look at the company's logos since its inception.)

Planning for the redesign began in the summer of 2011—before the bankruptcy filing— when American announced it would buy hundreds of new planes from Boeing and Airbus, many of which will be made of composite material that can't easily be painted in American's traditional polished-aluminum look. Under pressure from creditors, parent company AMR is studying whether to embrace a merger with US Airways or remain on its own. A decision is expected soon, and the CEO says the redesign doesn't tilt the company toward either outcome. (More American Airlines stories.)