Icelandair Logo PNG
The Icelandair logo embodies the mystique and allure of the Icelandic landscapes, reminiscent of the northern lights illuminating the skies above Iceland. Subtly hinting at adventure, it invites you to embrace the outdoor wonders of Iceland, from fjords to glaciers and quaint towns with unpronounceable names. The logo symbolizes an introduction to Iceland, a place both strange and stunning, a land rich in natural contrasts.
Icelandair: Brand overview
Originating in 1937 as Flugfélag Akureyrar, Icelandair has undergone a transformation journey. In 1940, the airline rebranded to Flugfélag Íslands and expanded its operations to include international flights to neighboring countries.
With the advent of long-haul aircraft, the airline made history in 1945 with the first transatlantic flight to the United States.
By the mid-1950s, Icelandair had firmly established itself as the foremost transatlantic carrier, offering passengers a convenient one-stop route between Europe and North America. The advent of jet aircraft in the 1960s further fueled the company’s growth, providing faster and more efficient long-haul service and capitalizing on Iceland’s strategic position.
When the Icelandic aviation industry was deregulated in 1979, the airline adapted to the new environment and worked hard to provide exceptional customer service.
In the 1990s, Icelandair embarked on an ambitious journey of modernization and innovation. The airline invested in a new fleet of aircraft, introduced exciting new routes and used the latest technology to offer customers an unrivaled travel experience.
In 2002, Icelandair took a significant leap forward by becoming part of the Icelandair Group, a holding company combining the aviation and travel businesses.
Meaning and History
What is Icelandair?
Icelandair, Iceland’s flagship airline, is headquartered at Reykjavik Airport, the country’s capital. Part of the Icelandair Group, the airline expands its services on both sides of the Atlantic with flights from its main hub at Keflavik Airport. Iceland’s strategic geographical location provides a convenient waypoint for one-stop transatlantic flights. The airline focuses on domestic, international, and domestic transportation, providing an important link between North America and Europe and serving the local Icelandic population.
1937 – 1978
The first logo prominently features Pegasus within a black circle representing the sky, where the company’s planes soar. The winged horse symbolizes freedom, travel, and imagination, values that align with Icelandair’s, which aims to provide its passengers with comfortable and inspiring journeys.
Below, the brand’s name appears in bold black letters, representing persistence and determination. The company started with a single airplane, and after experiencing a crash, relocated and restarted with one airplane until it firmly established its presence in Iceland’s skies.
The name “Icelandair” was not officially used until 1979. Before this, the company was known internationally as Iceland Airways, a name derived from a combination of “Iceland” and “air,” which stemmed from the Icelandic name Flugfélag Îslands, mentioned beneath the logo in the early documents.
The black-and-white imagery highlights the country’s unique long durations of day and night and abundant snowfalls.
1978 – 1999
After the merger of two Icelandic airlines, Flugfélag Íslands and Loftleiðir, into a single large organization named Icelandair, a decision was made to renew the emblem fundamentally. The new emblem features a modern and expressive design, reflecting a new chapter in the company’s history.
The design of the logo highlights clear, streamlined uppercase letters. These were crafted in a style that emphasized harmony and modernity, symbolizing the brand’s achievements and the technical excellence of its fleet. The precision of the lettering conveyed the impeccable organization and high quality of flights offered by Icelandair.
The logo design includes two blue stripes on the right side, symbolizing either a wing or the keel of an airplane. These elements, executed in a minimalist style, added lightness and dynamism to the image. Using blue, associated with the color of the sky and water, was deliberate, reflecting the company’s transatlantic flight specialization. Most of Icelandair’s flights cross the Atlantic Ocean to connect continents.
The dual symbolism in the stripes hinted at the merger of the two companies into the new Icelandair. This element emphasized the union that resulted in a refreshed and strengthened airline, ready to face new challenges and opportunities in international aviation.
1999 – today
The company logo’s dark blue color was meticulously selected to emphasize the depth and mystical beauty of the ocean and the cold waters around Iceland. This color reflects the natural characteristics of the region and lends an image of seriousness and professionalism. The dark blue imparts a visually professional and reliable appearance to the company’s airplanes, which is crucial for airlines seeking to strengthen passenger trust.
Gold flourishes gracefully designed on the emblem’s keel represented the luxury and comfort available on board Icelandair’s aircraft. These design elements indicate a high level of service and state-of-the-art technical equipment in the fleet, underlining the company’s commitment to providing safe and exceptionally comfortable flight conditions.
Entering the third millennium, the company actively adjusted its strategies, emphasizing the development of business travel and enhancing the level of business service on board.
2022 – today
Icelandair’s logo once featured a Pegasus, but now all left is a stylized wing. The wing resembles two wide, wavy stripes with a small half-oval at the bottom. Abstract geometric elements are painted in white and located inside a dark blue trapezoid, which, in this case, represents the upper part of the airplane’s tail. The designers chose a strict and balanced sans-serif font for the company name. This variant of the emblem has been in use since 2022.
The simplified modern design reflects the transition from mythical elements to a more streamlined and modern look. The choice of a dark blue trapezoid is probably intended to evoke thoughts of the sky or ocean often associated with Iceland. The white geometric elements of the wings give a minimalist yet dynamic feel, symbolizing movement and flight. The sans-serif font contributes to modernity, conveying professionalism and reliability.
