Air NZ plane tails to go all black

Air New Zealand's fleet will begin to sport the new livery next year. Photo / Supplied

Air New Zealand is ditching its historic teal colouring on its planes and will start painting its aircraft tails black.

The airline is also changing the colour and style of lettering on its aircraft as part of a livery overhaul that will start on its fleet next year.

Chief executive Rob Fyfe said the airline started using black last year before the All Blacks' World Cup campaign.

"Black has resonated well with our customers and staff who identify with it as the colour of New Zealand and a natural choice for our national airline.

"It inspires pride, is part of our Kiwi identity and a symbol of Kiwi success on the world stage," Mr Fyfe said.

Air New Zealand was keeping the distinctive koru design, he said.

Corporate branding was changing to the new look and this should be finished by the end of the year.

New planes for delivery would now be painted in the new colour scheme, apart from one regional aircraft due to arrive in October which would be painted all black.

Including its regional fleet, the airline has more than 100 aircraft and they will be repainted when scheduling allowed.

The cost of the image change was not disclosed.

New Zealand typeface designer Kris Sowersby and Designworks worked with the airline to develop the new lettering.

Air New Zealand's forerunner airline, Tasman Empire Airways Ltd (TEAL), started in 1940 and teal shades have been used in the airline since.

The response to the new livery from followers on the airline's "the flying social network" site have been mixed.

Some praised it as "swish" and "nice" but others said it was "bland" and "horrible".

- Staff reporter