If there is one airline rich in history, that would be Philippine Airlines. Being Asia’s first airline, it had gone through time and had evolved to what it is today, the country’s flag carrier. Despite all the challenges the airline has faced, it has remained resilient. Its logo has been an icon and now, it’s time to take a look at the evolution of the Philippine Airlines logo.
Before it was called Philippine Airlines (PAL), its former name was Philippine Aerial Taxi Company that has been serving the Philippines since 1935. It was also known as the longest-serving airline in Southeast Asia. PAL was established by a group of businessmen led by Andres Soriano, one of the leading industrialists in the country. The colors proudly speak of our nation’s carrier. Filipinos’ carrier, with its emblem and ornate details carved on it.
THEN
1935 – 1941
The original logo for the company introduced a circle-outlined thick black frame with yellow lettering around its perimeter. Inside the frame is an image of a person sitting under a tree while watching this gray-orange plane passing by. This is more of an artwork than a logo if you see it today; but, this artsy branding lasted for six years.
1941 – 1947
In 1941, the company changed its name to Philippine Airlines. Presenting the new logo are the black and red colors; giving us a bold-lined target-range-like image centering the Philippines’ map and the red wing placed on the upper right.
1947 – 1952
Then came 1947, they published a more refined feature of the company’s logo. The big rounded part features the globe while the red wing became wider and shorter, forming four-wide lines in its ascending length order.
1952 – 1960
The year 1952 is more like a total glow-up of the company’s logo. The color palette was changed from red to blue, and white during this year. With the blue-colored oval, red four-pointed star, the bold “PAL” lettering in white and blue; the sea blue diagonal winged shape forming four segments was separated by white lines.
1960 – 1968
In 1960 the wing was removed from the Philippine Airlines visual identity. Keeping the blue oval with a star and lettering as the main part of the logo. The star is colored blue. In short, it has been simplified to white and blue.
1968 – 1970
The redesigned logo in 1968 introduced a new concept for the company’s visual identity. Featuring two overlapping triangles positioned on the left in blue and in red that probably represent its wings; enclosed in black circular outline. While the black traditional writing is set in capital serif letters which sets up a classy vibe.
1970 – 1986
In 1970, the black outline was removed from the Philippine Airlines’ logo. All that is left where the two overlapping triangles with the bold Sans-serif typeface. This now gives a fresher and modern outlook of the airline. Also, only the “P” and the “A” were capitalized.
1986 – NOW
From 1986 to the present, PAL’s logo had the yellow rays representing the sun engraved on a blue triangle. On the other hand, the other triangle was painted with an inviting red pigment that looks friendlier to the eyes. The colors have brightened up which leaves an imprint of a brighter PAL experience. The font looks were simpler yet brings a genuine class but it leaves a strong impression on the viewer. This only shows how PAL evolved over the years.
The Italicized sans-serif typeface font looks more welcoming while its black colors represent the airline’s reliability and expertise.
Attribution: 1000 Logos