Turkish Airlines is the flagship air carrier of Turkey, which was founded in 1933. Based in Istanbul, the airline has a large fleet comprising almost 400 aircraft, which fly to more than 300 destinations worldwide. The Turkish Airlines logo has undergone many changes since the inception of the airline. Each iteration of the logo reflects changes in design philosophy, branding strategies, and the evolution of the airline itself as it grew into a global carrier. This article delves into the evolution of the logo of Turkish Airlines and describes other relevant details about the airline.
The Genesis of the Turkish Airlines Logo (1933 –1956)
The first logo was introduced in 1933 and featured a bright yellow background with blue and red elements. It had a circular emblem with the wordmark “T.C. Devlet Hava Yolları” written in red capital letters at the bottom. This design emphasised national pride and was used for over two decades. It symbolised the early years of the airline as a state-run entity.
(1956 – 1964)
In 1956, the logo underwent a major redesign to reflect a more modern aesthetic. The new colour palette included dark blue and cream beige, along with warm pink shades. It featured a stylised bird in black with a thick wing symbol facing left above the airline’s name to represent flight. The airline’s name was displayed on a white banner below it. This design aimed to convey freedom and innovation in aviation.
(1964 – 1990)
The logo evolved again in 1964 to feature the bird turned to the right and enclosed within a thin circular frame against a white background. The colour scheme shifted to burgundy and black, with the airline’s name shortened to just “Turkish Airlines” in a sans-serif typeface. This version became iconic and was recognised globally, thereby reinforcing the brand’s identity.
(1990 – 2008)
In 1990, the logo was modernised further with the brand name placed on the left of the bird emblem in a single plane. The colour scheme was brightened to blue and scarlet red on a white background to enhance visibility and modern appeal. This iteration emphasised clarity and professionalism as Turkish Airlines expanded its international reach.
In an alternate variant, the brand name was mentioned at two levels. At the same time, the rest of the logo elements were retained.
(2008 – 2010)
The redesign in 2008 introduced a three-dimensional effect to the bird emblem. It featured a white bird on a glossy gradient-red background. The typeface was slightly refined for better readability. However, this version only lasted two years due to its complexity compared to previous designs.
(2010 – 2018)
In 2010, Turkish Airlines reverted to a flat design but retained the colour scheme of a white bird on a red background. The circular frame was removed for a more minimalist approach to convey professionalism and modernity. This design remained consistent until 2018.
(2018 – Present)
The current logo was introduced in 2018 and features an abstract representation of a bird in white with an upward curve to symbolise progress and aspiration. The words “Turkish Airlines” in bold, black capitals are presented in a strong Museo Sans typeface that conveys confidence. The colour palette remains classic, with red, white, and black to represent power, passion, and loyalty.
The Elements of the Turkish Airlines Logo
Font
The bold, uppercase logotype of Turkish Airlines is crafted in a sophisticated yet strong and distinctive sans-serif typeface. It draws inspiration from classic fonts like Novel Display Extra Bold, Mayberry WGL Bold, and FS Irwin Bold, with modernised lines and softened, rounded angles.
Colour
The colour palette of the Turkish Airlines logo features a timeless combination of red, white, and black. These three colours symbolise power, passion, and loyalty. These also reflect the brand’s confidence, transparency, and forward-thinking nature.
Finally
The Turkish Airlines logo and its various iterations not only highlight changes in graphic design trends but also reflect the growth of the airlines. Turkish Airlines has grown from a national carrier into an internationally recognised brand that is known for quality service and innovation in aviation.