OUR TREASURES: The Flag Carriers

I've been wanting to compile our Flag Carriers in one posting and put a little twist to it. The national airline that carries our flag says a lot about our country -- and our region! The service, the smiles, the in-flight meals, the uniforms and the most visible of it all... the livery!

Our region's airliners have undergone a series of make overs and I asked 35 people to rank it according to impact.

This is the countdown of Southeast Asia's Best Airline Make-Over...

Cambodia's defunct national airline Royal Air Cambodge comes at No.10 for obvious reasons. Do you see a change between the 1998 photo and 2001?--None. This airline went bankrupt in 2001 and eversince; Cambodia goes without a flag carrier.

The region's largest airline comes at No.9... for the same reason -- no change in livery between a photo in 1985 and 2007. But if you would look closely...they only added a tiny gold lining on the tail! Singapore Airlines was established in 1947; has 96 planes + 107 on delivery; and flies to 65 destinations. With the number of planes they have, Singapore Airlines has as little as 5 incidence on safety according to Aviation Safety Database. This is one of the world's undisputed best airline. Website: http://www.singaporeair.com/ "A Great Way to Fly."

Laos' flag carrier comes at No.8! Don't you just love that frangipani flower on it's new livery? Although Lao Airlines don't have a very good reputation in safety, they only have 9 incidence according to Aviation Safety Database. Lao Airlines was established in 1976; has only 4 planes and flies to 15 destinations. Their website is http://www.laoairlines.com/ "The Spirit of Laos."

Don't you just love the crisp yellow and white livery of this very conservative airline? Here's a pic taken in 1985 and 2007. Royal Brunei Airlines doesn't need any lavish marketing ads because maybe they don't need the money? Maybe they just wanted a flag carrier for the heck of it and won't care if anyone flies on it? Maybe.

Established in 1974, they have 10 planes on their fleet. Flies to 21 destinations and has 0 incidence of safety-issues. Website: http://www.bruneiair.com/ Airline slogan: "We don't give a hoot if you fly with us or not...we got lotsa mullah already!" -- just kidding! What's Royal Brunei's slogan anyway?

Malaysia Airlines comes a long way from that boring all red livery in 1985 to a new, crisp and modern design of 2007. They thrown in a shade of blue and took down the "N" in Malaysian. The region's 2nd largest fleet has 95 planes; Malaysia Airlines flies to 79 destinations in 35 countries; has 4 incidence and was established in 1947. Website: http://www.malaysiaairlines.com/ "Going Beyond Expectations." --and they got tasty, delicious crews!

Here's a photo of Philippine Airlines in 1985 and 2005. Isn't it such a beauty? Philippine Airlines is one of the first in the world to get rid of the lines -- making the livery crisp, sweet and simple. They al so added an "s" in Philippine and took down the "Airlines" --it's now simply, "Philippines." And oh! They also threw in that rising sun from which they got their slogan.

Established in 1941 (Asia's first airline); has 32 fleets and flies to 42 destinations. They also have the most number of safety incidence at 67 (OMG!) according to Aviation Safety Database. Website: http://www.philippineairlines.com/ "It's All About Experience."

Ay-yai-yay caramba! Is it really Myanmar International? The first time I saw the new livery in 2006 I fell off my seat! From that boring 1999 design comes a beauty to behold! Is it really MAI? I have to take a picture to make sure...but it occured to me, why is the livery a little bit familiar? As it turned out, MAI shares the same colours with Pegasus Airlines of Turkey. Hmmm....whatever. Myanmar's flag carrier was established in 1993; has 13 fleets that flies to 4 (yes, 4!-- don't laugh!) destinations. MAI has 11 incidence in safety. Website: http://www.maiair.com/ "Modern Comforts, Gentle Traditions."

Garuda Indonesia's dramatic "The World Has A New Airline." campaign in the 90's made me fall in love with it's oh-so-fucken-cool livery. Garuda is a mythical bird that carries the Hindu god Vishnu around the universe. A very opt name for a national carrier. Established in 1949, it has 57 fleets that flies to 43 destinations. Safety incidence? 36. Came a long way from that very uptight 1985 photo to a chic and cool modern colors of 2005! Garuda Indonesia safely lands on No.3.

Whether you agree with us or not; whether you cry biased or whatever... Thailand's flag carrier lands at No.2 with it's "oh-that's-so-huh?-is-that-really-fucken-wha'?" livery. This new colors made a stir in European airports, plane spotters go ga-ga and made the designers go "ooooohhh-la-la!" Ha! I don't have to convince you it's beautiful because you KNOW it is! Dammit!

Thai Airways International was established in 1960; has 91 fleets + 17 more coming; and flies to 74 destinations. Safety incidence? 9. Website: http://www.thaiairways.com/ "Smooth As Silk."

And there it is... Vietnam's flag carrier taxiing through the runway...it's color transforms in all shades of blue by the changing skylight...the gold lotus tail gleaming and proud...

The sight of Vietnam Airlines new livery is awe-inspiring indeed. From the very conservative 90's design to the dusky, almost enigmatic colours of 2007.

Haunting, enigmatic, golden colors that truly reflect's Vietnam's culture as a whole.

Truly the region's best airline make-over!

Vietnam Airlines:

http://www.vietnamairlines.com/

****