Airline color schemes (also known as airline liveries) have been getting simpler (i.e. cheaper to maintain) for several years. It started with the “Europe White” style which removed the traditional fuselage cheat line and replaced it with a basic (boring) white fuselage with a tail design (less area to maintain).

Unless there is more to come, apparently China Eastern Airlines (Shanghai) will join this growing trend and has taken it a step further. The airline will only have its traditional fuselage titles and a simple (less colorful) tail logo. The traditional China Eastern cheat line will be retired adding to a growing list of airlines that have joined this club.

The new livery is seen for the first time on newly painted Boeing 777-39P ER B-2001 (msn 43269) (above) pictured arriving at Paine Field after being painted at Victorville, CA. B-2001 is the first Boeing 777-300 ER for the carrier and the airline felt it needed a new look for this new chapter in its history. It will replace the more colorful 1988 color scheme (below).

China Eastern will take delivery of its first 777-300 ER in late September and has 20 on order. It will become the third stretched Triple Seven operator in China following Air China and China Southern Airlines.

China Eastern is planning to introduce the new type on the Shanghai (Hongqiao) – Beijing route starting on September 30 pending delivery.

Top Copyright Photo: Bernie Leighton/AirlinersGallery.com.

China Eastern Airlines: 

Bottom Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 737-89P B-5086 (msn 32800) at Beijing displays the 1988 color scheme.

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