Oh hey, American Airlines  you’re looking different these days. Did you do something to your fuselage? Is that a new logo you’re sporting? The airline is treating itself to a revamped look for its fleet of planes, the first makeover it’s done to its exteriors since 1968, including an updated logo as part of the paint job.

The planes’ new ‘do, or livery as its called in the industry, is partly a result of its newer jets. Those jets include composite materials that can’t be polished like the current aluminum fuselages are, notes USA Today.

“Since the polished metal look was no longer an option, the importance of the paint selection became critical to honoring American’s silver bird legacy,” American says. “Silver mica paint was chosen as a way to maintain the silver heritage which American’s people and customers are passionate about, yet progress ahead with a clean new look.”

It could be funny timing for the makeover, as there are whispers abounding that American’s parent company AMR is considering getting hitched to US Airways as part of its restructuring under Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

That merger is still in the realm of maybes, American’s CEO Tom Horton says well, basically that it’s still all about being American Airlines.

“While we complete the evaluation of whether a merger can build on American’s strengths, we remain steadfast in each step we take to renew our airline, a step we take with great respect for our name American,” he says in a press release accompanying the new look news. “Today marks important progress in that journey as we unveil a new and updated look for the first time in more than 40 years.”

American Airlines unveils first new look since 1968 [USA Today]

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