Airbus SE is a multinational aircraft manufacturing company that began in 1967 as a collaboration between various European aircraft manufacturers. Based in Blagnac, near Toulouse in France, it builds a wide range of passenger, cargo, and military aircraft. The rich history of the company is reflected in the evolution of its iconic logo. The Airbus logo has undergone a few transformations over the years. However, the overall style of the logo has remained the same with subtle changes made to the colour scheme and typeface. The article explores the various logo changes that took place as part of the branding exercise of Airbus.
The Genesis of the Airbus Logo (1970-2010)
In the early days of Airbus, the logo featured a stylised symbol of a turbine in orange and yellow. It looked like an orange circle with yellow swoosh and curved lines covering each half of the circle. This design was used by Airbus Industrie GIE, the consortium formed in 1970 to develop and produce a wide-body aircraft to compete with American-built airlines.
(1986-2010)
In the logo redesign of 1986, the yellow and orange colour scheme gave way to deep blue and white. Divided into two halves, the circle repeated the dynamic pattern of swoosh and curved lines. Further, in addition to representing the symbol of a turbine, it could be interpreted as the fastest way to get from one place to the other worldwide, represented by the swoosh and curved lines. The circle represented the world. The brand name was executed below the symbol in a bold, italicised, and modified Manderley typeface.
(2010-2014)
In 2010, the Airbus logo received a 3D effect through the addition of a gradient to the background. The word “Airbus” featured alongside the logo in a modified Manderley font with distinctive details, such as gaps in the crossbars of “A” and “R.”. The lettering also had a 3D look due to the gradient.
(2014-2017)
In the 2014 logo iteration, the gradient in blue was removed, and the symbol appeared in solid blue colour. And the white swirl, curved, and swoosh lines were shown within two halves of the circle. The brand name on the right was similar to the 2010 style and executed in a modified Manderley typeface. However, the brand name appeared in a dark blue colour instead of the gradient effect in the previous iteration.
(2017-Present)
Introduced in 2017, the most recent iteration of the Airbus logo features a flat logotype without the swoosh and curved lines emblem. The logotype is set in a modified Manderley font with massive, sharp terms, and straight lines of the bars. The colour palette is based on a deep and intense shade of blue, which symbolised professionalism, quality, and security.
The Elements of the Airbus Logo
Font
The bold geometric lettering of the main Airbus logo features a modified Manderley typeface with strong, sharp angles and straight lines. Fonts similar to this design include Avalors Regular and HWT Republic Gothic Solid, though the “A” and “R” letters have been notably altered—gaps were given in the crossbars.
Colour
The Airbus visual identity primarily uses a deep, rich blue, which is a colour often associated with professionalism, quality, and security—key attributes for any company involved in transportation.
Finally
The Airbus logo has evolved alongside the company and reflects its growth and technological advancements. From the early days of Airbus Industrie GIE to the current Airbus SE, the logo has undergone several transformations, each capturing the essence of the company’s mission and values. The Airbus logo is more than just a brand symbol; it represents the company’s commitment to innovation, quality, and global connectivity.