The United Airlines logo has evolved significantly since its debut in 1930, with over a dozen redesigns reflecting the airline’s changing identity. Despite the frequent updates, the logo has always maintained a focus on the company’s name, occasionally omitting the word “Airlines.”

History and Evolution of the United Airlines Logo

United Airlines, one of the largest air carriers in the world, has gone through numerous visual changes over the years, developing a minimalist yet stylish and recognizable logo that reflects its global presence.

United Airlines Logos (1930–1939)

The very first United Airlines logo, introduced in 1930, was a rectangular blue badge with a white circle in the center, featuring a silhouette of the United States and two white arrows. The circle had “United Air Lines” written on banners in an italicized sans-serif font. In 1933, the logo was simplified, featuring bold white lettering on a dark blue background, moving away from the graphical elements.

In 1935, the color palette shifted to sky blue and white, adding a touch of elegance. By 1939, the logo incorporated a tricolor crest with red, white, and blue sections and a “Coast to Coast” tagline, emphasizing the airline’s expansive reach.

United Airlines Logos (1940–1961)

The crest was refined further in 1940, simplifying the design to a five-pointed star and the “United” wordmark. By 1960, the airline moved to a simpler design featuring just the “United” wordmark on a small, elegant crest, marking a shift towards a more modern and minimalist style.

From 1961 to 1971, United embraced a dynamic new look with a red and blue spiked icon behind the italicized “United” text, symbolizing movement and trust.

United Airlines Logos (1971–1993)

In 1971, the logo underwent another redesign, with the wordmark now written in a sophisticated italicized serif typeface. By 1974, designer Saul Bass crafted a more iconic logo, featuring a stylized "U" above the “United” wordmark in a clean sans-serif font. The red and blue “U” symbolized comfort and reliability.

In 1988, United introduced a more minimalistic version, using a modern, lowercase sans-serif typeface for “United” with a smaller “Airlines” tagline below. The iconic "Tulip" emblem debuted in 1993, solidifying the airline’s visual identity as a global leader.

United Airlines Logos (1998–2019)

The logo received a fresh update in 1998 by Pentagram, with the "Tulip" emblem brightened and the wordmark shortened to just “United” in a bold, contemporary sans-serif. After merging with Continental Airlines in 2010, the company refreshed its logo, introducing a blue-and-white design with a globe-shaped emblem, giving the brand a more professional and global feel.

United Airlines Logo (2019–Present)

The latest redesign in 2019 refined the lines and modernized the color palette, with a brighter shade of blue for a more vibrant and professional appearance. The minimalist design now emphasizes the solid, capitalized “United” wordmark, executed in a clean sans-serif typeface that evokes trust and reliability.

Font and Color

The current logo uses a bold, clean sans-serif typeface, closely resembling fonts like Biondi Sans Bold and Ephemera Kingsford Sans. The bright blue and white combination creates a striking contrast, symbolizing the airline's commitment to comfort, safety, and service. The colors and simple design make the logo both timeless and memorable, reflecting the brand's values of professionalism and reliability.