How to Identify an Airline by Its Livery

Identify the airline with your phone, check the livery and save your catch.

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How to Identify an Airline by Its Livery

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Published 22 September 2026

How to Identify an Airline by Its Livery

Identify the airline with your phone, check the livery and save your catch.

Photo by Prajwal on Pexels, licensed under Pexels License

To identify an airline from a photo, upload the image to FlightCatcherPro on your iPhone. Review the suggested airline and aircraft type, then save the catch to your hangar. You can also use the camera when the aircraft is in front of you.

The aircraft’s livery is its paint scheme: the tail logo, colours and lettering. Those details help you check the app’s suggestion.

In short

Upload a photo or use FlightCatcherPro’s camera.
Check the suggested airline against its logo and lettering.
Save the aircraft to your hangar.

On this page

Identify and save in three steps
Check the logo and lettering
Why the paint can be misleading

Identify and save in three steps

Choose a clear photo
Keep the tail and airline name visible if you can. A view of the whole aircraft gives more clues than a tight crop of one coloured panel.
Review the airline
Compare the suggestion with the logo and any readable lettering. Similar colours alone are not enough to confirm a match.
Save your catch
Keep the aircraft in your hangar, where you can revisit its details and rarity label.

Identify your aircraft with FlightCatcherPro →

Found an unusual paint scheme? Save the catch, then explore what rarity means in your aircraft collection.

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Check the logo and lettering

Start with the symbol on the tail, then look for the airline name along the fuselage. Engines and winglets may carry extra clues.

Compare the shape of the logo as well as its colour. Many airlines use blue tails or white fuselages, and poor light can hide the difference.

If the photo is blurred, try another frame. Leave the airline unconfirmed when you cannot see enough detail. Our photo identification guide explains how to choose a useful image.

Why the paint can be misleading

Special and historic liveries can look very different from an airline’s usual design. Alliance branding can also dominate the aircraft: a Star Alliance logo names the alliance, not a single airline.

Look for smaller airline titles. If there is still doubt, use a readable registration and the aircraft registration lookup guide to investigate the aircraft.

The airline brand, operating company and aircraft model are separate details. A familiar logo does not tell you which Boeing or Airbus variant you have spotted.