WOW air Logo PNG
“WOW air” flies away toward its dream, to new horizons. The emblem embodies determination and flights of imagination. It invites you to trust the company and set off for uncharted shores.
Icelandic entrepreneur Skúli Mogensen founded “WOW air” in 2011 to create a low-cost airline connecting Europe and North America through Iceland. He had a background in telecommunications, but the model focused on low fares, lean operations, and Reykjavík as a transfer hub. The timing coincided with Iceland’s rise as a tourist destination.
The airline began operations on May 31, 2012, with its first flight from Reykjavík to Paris. Its first fleet included three leased Airbus A320 aircraft. WOW Air quickly became known for its purple aircraft and informal marketing, setting it apart from traditional carriers and giving the brand a distinct place in the budget airline segment.
By 2013, the airline had expanded its European network with routes to London, Berlin, and Copenhagen. In 2014, it acquired assets from the bankrupt Iceland Express, thereby strengthening its position in Iceland and adding capacity. In 2015, WOW Air launched transatlantic flights to Boston and Washington, turning its original Europe-to-North America plan into an operational reality. In 2016, it added Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Montreal, while its first Airbus A330 supported longer routes.
The airline peaked in 2017, adding routes such as Tel Aviv and announcing plans for Asia. In 2018, rising fuel prices and intense competition on transatlantic routes created heavy losses. WOW Air sought investors and held talks with Icelandair, then Indigo Partners, but both deals collapsed. On March 28, 2019, after months of financial pressure, the airline stopped operations, leaving thousands of passengers stranded and damaging Iceland’s tourism market.
Meaning and History
What is WOW Air?
This former Icelandic low-cost airline, based in Reykjavik, offered ultra-low transatlantic fares between Europe and North America, with a stopover in Iceland. The company operated a fleet of narrow-body aircraft, including the Airbus A320 and A321, configured for maximum passenger capacity and efficiency. It was known for its vibrant purple branding and straightforward service model, in which passengers paid low base fares, with additional services like baggage, seat selection, and in-flight meals available for an extra fee. The company ceased operations in 2019.
2011 – 2019
WOW Air operated from 2011 to 2019 and gained attention for its unique approach to air travel, offering affordable, high-quality service. During this period, the company aimed to stand out from competitors by creating a vibrant, memorable brand. The logo, featuring a purple sun and the word “WOW,” reflected this philosophy, symbolizing the joy of travel and the anticipation of discoveries.
The logo features a circular purple element with the word “WOW” in large letters at its center. The text is in white capital letters, and inside the letter “O” is a stylized airplane silhouette. Below “WOW,” the word “air” appears in a smaller font.
The logo’s purple color grabs attention and symbolizes the company’s uniqueness and creativity. In Icelandic culture, the sun, depicted as a purple circle, symbolizes light, warmth, and life, important elements in harsh Arctic conditions. The white text creates contrast and emphasizes lightness and airiness, associated with flight and the sky.
The logo uses a smooth, modern, sans-serif font. The bold capital letters “WOW” highlight the company’s confidence and reliability. The airplane silhouette within the letter “O” signifies the company’s focus on air travel and underscores its aviation orientation.
The name “WOW” was chosen deliberately. The exclamation “WOW” evokes amazement and wonder in many cultures. This name is meant to evoke excitement and joy in passengers about their upcoming journeys. The central hole in the letter “O,” shaped like an airplane, emphasizes the company’s core activity, air transportation, and adds dynamism to the logo.