New livery for Southwest?

[Greg]

We know that Frontier will unveil a new livery and logo early in the week, but rumors are now circling that Southwest will unveil a new logo and/or livery next week as well.

Here is the current paint scheme, known as Canyon Blue. Introduced in 2001 on the carrier's 30th anniversary as a replacement for the classic desert brown or "corndog" scheme:


This next image seems to be the strongest possibility from rumors around the internet. Of course, time will tell. What do you think? The font style seems to be very similar to the new American type face. I showed my wife this and her first reaction was to cringe. I don't think it is terrible, but still a bit different. I would imagine the dark paint would heat up the cabins quickly in many of Southwest's markets.


This livery has also been floating around too as a less popular option. The swa immediately calls the old Northwest "nwa" to mind.



So we will see what happens in the next few days, whether we get a new livery and logo, or a special one off scheme, or something else. Personally, I'd love to see them go back to the "corndog" but I doubt that will happen.

What are your thoughts?

[7H4]

Based on what I've seen and read, I strongly believe (along with many others apparently) that something big will happen Monday. Could it just be a specialty plane? Maybe (anti wright amendment perhaps?). The last picture/concept you posted is very old and has been around for years. The second one, while not all that bad looking, is extremely different. If you remember back when they introduced Canyon Blue back in 2001, the change wasn't all that big. Overall it was more of a refresh than a re-branding. If the second one is accurate (and we don't even know if this rumor is true) then this will be a serious brand shift for them. They have been trying to change their image for the past couple of years with trying to appeal to business travelers and that is clearly where they are headed based on their actions. However, if that is what they are aiming for, it sure doesn't look like it.

[Rockwall Tim]

All I have been told is that it will involve a 737-800 being rolled out. So it sure seems a new livery is the answer. There wouldn't be this much ado over another theme plane.

[7H4]

All I have been told is that it will involve a 737-800 being rolled out. So it sure seems a new livery is the answer. There wouldn't be this much ado over another theme plane.

Well, nothing "officially" has been said so this could be just an overreaction. No one has seen the plane in question except when it was leaving Seattle with the Canyon Blue rudder.
UPDATE: Picture floating around twitter shows Southwest plane in a new livery very close to the second photo in the first post. Just from what I can see I'm not impressed. A shame really.

[7H4]

And here she is... Really gonna take some time to get used to. So used to "Southwest" on the tail. Seeing this is like seeing a totally different airline. I wonder if the interior is refreshed too?