As Air Canada celebrates 60 years of its iconic bright red rondelle livery, it’s worth looking back at the evolution of the distinctive logo design. Since it’s inception on January 1, 1965, the uniquely Canadian symbol has become synonymous with Canada’s flag carrier.
The Birth of the Rondelle
Special inaugural significance is placed on the airline’s inception of the rondelle. The design of the logo coincided with an overall rebranding of the national carrier. The iconic Canadian symbol was born in 1965 when the airline, previously operating as Trans-Canada Air Line (TCA), officially changed its name to Air Canada. This rebranding necessitated a new visual identity. Accordingly, the airline seized the opportunity to create a bold new corporate emblem, one which had Canadian heritage at the heart of its design.
The new design featured a striking combination of bright red and white, mirroring the colours of the Canadian flag. Air Canada’s iconic stylised maple leaf encircled by the stem, became known as the “rondelle”. The new logo was designed by one of Canada’s leading brand consultants, Stewart, Morrison and Roberts. In collaboration with the firm’s creative director, Hans Kleefeld, several different versions of the emblem were presented to Air Canada before the rondelle was accepted. However, 1993 would mark a short absence of the iconic symbol as Air Canada departed from tradition, retaining the Maple Leaf but removing the encircled rondelle for a more detailed look.
Air Canada’s Livery Today
Canada’s national carrier returned to tradition in 2004, with the original rondelle featured on the tails of its fleet and on the side of the fuselage. Today, the iconic symbol continues to play a crucial role in the airline’s visual identity. The bright red rondelle has become a common sight in skies around the world, serving as the airspace ambassador for Canada.
The President and CEO of Air Canada, Michael Rousseau expressed national sentiment for the iconic symbol, stating,
“Customers routinely tell us that no matter where they are in the world, as soon as they see the rondelle on an aircraft tail, they feel they are already at home. We take the responsibility of representing home to Canadians seriously, and we are immensely proud of the enduring longevity of such an iconic symbol.”
As Air Canada celebrates the 60th Anniversary of its bright red livery, the emblem continues to invoke Canadian identity and pride, comforting Canadians abroad for decades to come.
Have you ever come across Air Canada’s iconic Maple Leaf livery while travelling? Let us know in the comments below!
