AA Airbus A319 Painted In America West Livery

In an acknowledgement of the airlines that eventually became today's American Airlines, the carrier, which is still completing a merger with US Airways, plans to honor the airlines that have come and gone ... culminating in today's New American.

The Street reports that the first in the American Airlines Heritage line was painted in the livery of America West, once the largest airline in the world. American CEO Doug Parker was part of the team that created the airline, and in a dozen years it became a major force in the industry.

The America West livery is one of several that Parker has authorized as the merger proceeds. Already, airplanes in the liveries of Allegheny, Piedmont, and PSA have also emerged from the paint shop.

Writing in the in-flight magazines for American and US Airways, Parker said "As we move forward, we will remember to embrace our past."

He said that other paint schemes will include TWA, Reno Air, and AirCAl. One airplane will also continue to fly in US Airways livery.

(Image provided by American Airlines)

FMI: www.aa.com