American Airlines update its livery with new mica-free Silver Eagle™ paint

Every eight to 10 years, commercial aircraft require a paint refresh to keep them operating smoothly and reliably. By that time, on average, a plane will have flown 13,000 flights, taking on a lot of wear and tear.

The current American Airlines’ colour scheme was introduced already in 2013, so the first aircraft is quickly approaching that milestone. Starting in January 2021, as aircraft approach their regularly scheduled paint refresh date, American will begin repainting them with a new, non-mica gray paint that looks nearly identical to what is soaring across the skies today, but is less expensive, lighter, more fuel efficient and better for the environment.

The repaint will update American’s current livery with a new, mica-free paint colour created specifically for the airline: Silver Eagle™. With this new paint, American Airlines’ fleet of airplanes will burn approximately 1 million fewer gallons of fuel per year. This alone will reduce American’s carbon emissions by 9,525 metric tonnes per year once the fleet is repainted.

In addition to the reduction in emissions resulting from removing the mica layer, American will also use fewer chemicals when painting and repairing aircraft. American will gradually introduce the refreshed livery beginning with the B737-800 fleet.

New aircraft on order are expected to be delivered to American with the updated look in the second half of 2021.

Photo: American Airlines