After boarding a plane for a recent flight to Los Angeles out of JFK, I was admiring some of the liveries of the adjacent aircraft from my window seat. Off to my right, I noticed a red JetBlue A320 with colors that stood out from the rest of the standard ‘blue’ liveries and trademark patterns on the airline’s fleet lined up at their departure gates.
Airline liveries are the unique designs, insignia, or graphics on aircraft that provide a distinctive branding that represents an airline’s image or identity. Special liveries are exclusive paint schemes often used to celebrate events or cultural icons, showcase an airline’s brand, values and heritage, to honor national heroes, causes, and more.
On the tarmac, the red-livered JetBlue I saw that day had a blue shield on its tail with the New York City skyline and ‘Fire Department City of New York’ superimposed on it. This particular aircraft debuted in its ‘Blue Bravest’ livery in October 2013 in dedication to the FDNY Foundation.
The FDNY Foundation is the official non-profit organization of the FDNY and helps bring the vital message of fire safety and prevention to all New Yorkers. It also supports the life-saving work of the FDNY through various programs that provide new equipment, training, and support for thousands of firefighters and members of the departments Emergency Medical Service.
In JetBlue’s October 23, 2013 press release, it is noted that ‘JetBlue’ is the only major airline actually based in New York and, as such, the airline is supportive of its hometown firefighters, EMTs and paramedics. ‘Blue Bravest’ joins JetBlue’s exclusive legion of partnership aircraft, celebrating several organizations. ‘Blue Bravest’ unique livery supports the FDNY Foundation and showcases the airline’s pride for its hometown heroes.
On JetBlue’s ‘Special Liveries’ page, ‘Blue Bravest’ is one of 15 of the airline’s standout aircraft liveries, and in the words of the airlines intro page on its special liveries, it is written, “Think of each custom design as a giant, 86-ton salute to the people, places and partnerships that make up JetBlue’s DNA. We’re proud to show our support for the FDNY Foundation with a shiny, red livery adorned with the FDNY shield.”
It sure caught my attention!
