I was very sad to read yesterday that Southwest is putting Silver One, the aircraft painted in a special livery to celebrate the company’s 25th anniversary, in a regular livery. When the aircraft was first introduced, it was in a bare metal scheme, but was later switched to a reflective gray paint (sort of like Northwest’s livery, I guess), but that hasn’t been working out, either. Southwest’s Brian Lusk writes:
This aircraft has been painted several times with improved paints, and it still doesn’t hold a shine. Southwest wants this aircraft to be a shining representation of this significant milestone in our history, and the grey appearance is simply not doing it justice.
He goes on:
However, there will be two places on the aircraft that will designate it as Southwest’s Silver Anniversary Aircraft. The graphic on the nose of the aircraft will remain the same, along with the dedication art on the windscreen as you enter the aircraft. The change to the Canyon Blue livery should take place in mid- to late-August.
Well, it’s sad to see this go, simply because I love special liveries, and the reason behind this one, but at least it will retain some things to show that it’s a special aircraft.
Now that the repainting has been announced, I’m glad that I was lucky to ride on Silver One from Orlando to Ft. Lauderdale in 2006.
That gray paint job looks dreadful. It looks… Unfinished. Glad they are getting rid of it.