10 Defunct Airlines with the Most Iconic Logos
The world of defunct airlines is filled with iconic logos that once soared across the skies, each symbolizing ambition, innovation, and the golden age of air travel.
- Alyana Aguja
- 4 min read
Extinct airlines might no longer fly to the skies, but their classic logos are eternal symbols of the golden age of aviation. From Pan Am’s mythical blue globe to Braniff’s radical modernity, these symbols captured the essence of adventure, luxury, and worldwide connectivity. While these airlines are gone, their visual heritages remain a source of nostalgia and awe for travelers and design lovers alike.
1. Pan American World Airways (Pan Am) (1927–1991)
Wikipedia
Perhaps the most storied airline of all time, Pan Am’s blue globe emblem became a byword for the golden age of air travel. It represented worldwide connectivity and was frequently featured in popular culture, from 2001: A Space Odyssey to Catch Me If You Can. Even years after its collapse, the Pan Am logo is still one of the most widely recognized airline logos.
2. Braniff International Airways (1928–1982)
Image from Wikipedia
Braniff stood for bold, cutting-edge branding, and its logo—a minimalist, sleek “BI” icon—paralleled its brightly colored, eye-catching airplanes. Braniff hired renowned designers like Alexander Girard and advertising genius Mary Wells Lawrence to develop a futuristic image. Its “The End of the Plain Plane” brand credo branded it as an icon of style during the 1960s and ’70s.
3. TWA (Trans World Airlines) (1930–2001)
Image from Seeklogo
TWA’s red-and-white logo featuring its bold font and globe icon symbolized the jet age. During Howard Hughes’ tenure, the airline was a global leader in travel, and its branding matched that status. Even after it merged with American Airlines, the TWA Flight Center at JFK is still a testament to its former dominance.
4. Swissair (1931–2002)
Image from Wikipedia
Swissair’s red and white cross emblem was an expression of Switzerland’s national pride and accuracy. The airline was highly regarded for its superior service and safety, so much so that it earned the nickname “The Flying Bank” because of its fiscal solidity—before it fell apart. Its minimalist, classy, and ageless brand made it easily one of the most beautiful airline logos.
5. Eastern Air Lines (1926–1991)
Image from Wikipedia
Eastern’s logo featured a stately blue falcon, representing efficiency and speed. For generations, Eastern was among the “Big Four” of U.S. airlines and was highly prominent on the East Coast. The falcon symbol remains affectionately remembered among aviation buffs, particularly those who remember the legendary “Wings of Man” advertisement campaign.
6. Northwest Airlines (1926–2010)
Image from Wikipedia
The red-and-gray “N” with a subtle compass arrow was a masterclass in minimalist design. The logo slyly included a concealed arrow pointing northwest, a nod to its heritage as an aviation name. Northwest’s powerful brand identity endured several redesigns before being assimilated into Delta Air Lines.
7. Air Afrique (1961–2002)
Image from Logo.wine
This pan-African carrier boasted a bold green logo with a stylized gazelle in flight, symbolizing freedom and oneness. It was one of Africa’s most ambitious airline ventures, co-owned by several countries. The logo, with its bold and unique appearance, is a nostalgic reminder of African aviation history.
8. Olympic Airways (1957–2009)
Image from Logos-world
Modeled after the Olympic rings, the airline’s logo depicted five connected circles in bold primary colors. Shipping tycoon Aristotle Onassis founded the airline and was Greece’s national carrier for many decades. The strong visual identity of the logo made it easily recognizable and is even remembered with fondness now, in spite of the airline’s failure.
9. VARIG (1927–2006)
Image from Wikipedia
Brazil’s VARIG sported a distinctive starburst compass logo, symbolizing its origins in Rio Grande do Sul and pioneering nature. The golden star against a rich blue background became synonymous with Brazilian aviation. The airline was a South American powerhouse for decades before financial woes brought it down.
10. BOAC (British Overseas Airways Corporation) (1939–1974)
Image from Freebie Supply
BOAC’s speed bird logo was a sleek and modern design that embodied the spirit of jet-age travel. As the forerunner to British Airways, it was a high-class carrier that linked the British Empire. The speed bird symbol continues to exist subtly in British Airways’ present branding, a nod to its heritage.