WOW air Logo PNG
WOW, air flies away toward its dream, to new horizons. The emblem is full of determination and flights of imagination. It invites you to trust the company and set off for uncharted shores.
WOW air: Brand overview
WOW Air was founded in 2011 by Icelandic entrepreneur Skúli Mogensen, who wanted to create a low-cost airline connecting Europe and North America through Iceland. His background was in telecommunications, but the model was built around cheap fares, lean operations, and Reykjavík as a transfer hub. The timing matched the rise of Iceland 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 recognizable for its purple aircraft and informal marketing style, which helped set it apart from traditional carriers and gave 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 reached its peak 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 searched for investors and held talks with Icelandair, then with 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 fares on transatlantic flights between Europe and North America with a stopover in Iceland. The company operated a fleet of narrow-body aircraft, such as the Airbus A320 and Airbus 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 silhouette of an airplane. Below the word “WOW,” the word “air” is written 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 color of the text creates contrast and emphasizes lightness and airiness, which are associated with flying and the sky.
The logo’s font is smooth and modern, sans-serif. The capital letters “WOW” are bold, highlighting 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” is associated with amazement and wonder in various 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.