Singapore Airlines happens to be one of the largest and reputable airlines in the world. Established in 1972, the airline is known for its quality of service, safety record, and numerous awards. The Singapore Airlines logo has been consistent since the founding of the airline, with just one redesign or refinement. The article explores the evolution of the Singapore Airlines logo since the founding of the airline.
The Genesis of the Singapore Airlines Logo (1972–1987)
Singapore Airlines was founded in 1972 and emerged from the previous entity known as Malayan Airways. The airline needed a distinct visual identity to establish itself in the competitive aviation market. The original logo was designed by the renowned French design firm Lippincott and featured a stylized bird with its wings lifted and the name “Singapore Airlines” executed in a bold, italicised sans-serif font in uppercase appearing beneath.
The alignment of letters of the brand name and white lines on the bird’s image created a sense of motion, freedom, and aspiration. Interestingly, the degree of inclination of the letters forming the brand name was similar to the white lines on the bird. Further, the logo was rendered in black, which reflected a modern and sleek aesthetic that aligned with the airline’s vision of quality and service.
(1987-Present)
In 1987, Singapore Airlines underwent its first significant logo redesign. This update maintained the bird motif but introduced a new colour palette of yellow to depict the bird and dark blue for the wordmark. This helped to enhance the visual appeal and sophistication of the brand. The bird was depicted in a more refined manner, as if representing the mythical Merlion, a symbol of good fortune in Asian folklore.
The typeface for “Singapore Airlines” is also updated to a more elegant style. It changed from the previous italicised font to a unique mixed-case lettering that emphasised clarity and modernity. Also, there is a yellow stripe below the brand name to highlight it.
The Elements of the Singapore Airlines Logo
Font
The visual identity of Singapore Airlines features a distinctive, modern typeface with stencil-like elements. This custom font combines smooth curves and angular shapes to reflect the sophisticated approach of the airline. While the font resembles FM Bolyar Sans Pro 700, it has been significantly modified to create a unique look.
Colour
The colour palette of the Singapore Airlines logo combines vibrant colours in rich, subdued tones. This palette softens the bold lines of the emblem and adds elegance to the wordmark. Yellow and blue dominate the design and symbolise the sun and sky, respectively. Additionally, yellow conveys energy and dynamism, while blue represents security, dependability, and integrity. These are the qualities that are essential to the airline industry.
The History of Singapore Airlines
Singapore Airlines traces its origins back to Malayan Airways Limited, which was formed in 1937 by a consortium of the Ocean Steamship Company of Liverpool, the Straits Steamship Company of Singapore, and Imperial Airways. The airline made its first flight on May 1, 1947, from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur.
In 1963, the airline was renamed Malaysian Airways after the formation of the Federation of Malaysia. And after the exit of Singapore from the federation in 1965, the airline was renamed Malaysia-Singapore Airlines (MSA) in 1966. In 1972, the Malaysian and Singaporean governments decided to split MSA into two separate national carriers. Consequently, Singapore received the Boeing aircraft, international routes, and headquarters and incorporated Singapore Airlines on January 28, 1972.
Singapore Airlines began operations on October 1, 1972, with flights to London, Sydney, and Singapore. The airline rapidly expanded its international route network in the 1970s by adding destinations in India, Asia, and Europe. Singapore Airlines became the first Southeast Asian airline to order Boeing 747 jumbo jets in 1973.
Today, Singapore Airlines operates a modern fleet of Airbus and Boeing widebody aircraft to over 60 destinations worldwide from its hub at Singapore Changi Airport. The airline continues to be majority-owned by the Singapore government’s Temasek Holdings.
Interesting Facts About Singapore Airlines
- The airline is the flagship carrier of Singapore.
- Founded in 1947, the airline used to be called Malayan Airways. It was renamed “Singapore Airlines” only in 1972.
- The first airline to run the largest passenger aircraft, the Airbus A380, in 2007, in the world.
- The first airline to operate the Airbus A350 in the world.
- The first airline to fly the Boeing 787 in the world.
- The airline has arguably the best safety record in the world.
- The airline operates one of the longest non-stop flights in the world, from Singapore to Newark, covering a distance of 9,500 miles.
- The airline has a few subsidiary airlines operating under it.
- The airline has been voted the best airline several times.
- The airline has been voted for having the best seats in the aviation business.
- The airline has been awarded for having the best first-class cabin.
- The airline manages its own maintenance and repairs at the in-house facility.
- The airline has redefined luxury in the sky with individual suites, spacious cabins, and exclusive amenities.
- The airline operates a young fleet with an average age of seven years.
- The airline has business deals with Boeing and Rolls-Royce as the latter two are the makers of aircraft engines.
- The airline’s loyalty programme for frequent flyers is called KrisFlyer. It includes exclusive privileges, upgrades, and the ability to earn and redeem miles.
- The airline has earned several awards on account of its best-in-class service.
- The airline’s main hub is Changi International Airport.
Finally
The Singapore Airlines logo has undergone minimal changes and showcases a commitment to its roots while adapting to modern design trends. The evolution of the logo reflects the growth of the airline and its position as a symbol of luxury, reliability, and exceptional service in the aviation industry. The enduring nature of the logo proves the strong brand identity of Singapore Airlines and its ability to resonate with passengers worldwide.