航空公司的飛機塗裝，除了行銷目的，也有功能上的考量。一架商用飛機的壽命可長達 30 年，期間會在空中飛行高達 16 萬小時。機身上的塗裝就像手機包膜一樣，可以形成防護幫助飛機擋住風雨侵蝕和陽光曝曬。飛機不論上新漆，或者重新上漆，都得先上一層防腐蝕的底漆，再上第二層白漆，另外可以再加上四到五層的彩繪塗漆。
但你可能會發現一個有趣現象就是，各家航空公司的機身，通常選擇以白色為底，主要有以下幾個好處：
1. 有控溫優勢
飛機之所以大都是白色，主要是為了反射陽光，減低機身吸收日照的溫度，阻絕太陽帶來的熱度，減少機艙內空調系統的負擔，有效減低降溫開銷。延伸閱讀：《知識》飛機客艙內的空調原理
2. 降低運營成本
白色機身相對於彩色機身來說比較省錢，像是噴漆的材料費低，顏料的重量輕，噴漆作業時間短，飛行成本相對減少。
一架飛機的彩色噴漆費用在 5 萬 - 20 萬美金之間，同時整個噴塗工作需要耗費 2 - 3 周的時間，停飛的階段對航空公司的班機調派運作也會造成影響。
更多的色彩油漆會增加機身重量，也會因此增加油耗。以波音747為例，裝飾整機需要至少 250 公斤塗料。但是也有不少航空公司為了創造更一致的品牌形象，而將機身漆成其它色系。延伸閱讀：《知識》航空公司如何降低營運成本？
3. 褪色的程度低
所有的有色塗料暴露在太陽和空氣中，會面臨褪色的問題，高空的紫外輻射加速了整個褪色過程。所有顏色中，白色比較不容易褪色，可以在經歷長年累月的風吹日曬之後仍能保持良好的外觀，讓機身保持美觀。
也有航空公司使用完全沒有油漆的機身，僅有防腐蝕的底漆保持金屬本色。但在沒有任何保護的狀態下，隨著時間流轉，反而會出現髒汙，或是失去光澤的狀況，航空公司更需要花費大筆金錢重新整理打點。
4. 便於檢查機身
白色作為最佳的底色，可以清楚顯示機身上的鏽蝕、裂紋、機油泄漏等異常現象，讓機師及修護人員容易發現，確保飛行安全。在夜晚或是墜機事件中，白色機身也比較容易被看到。
5. 降低鳥擊風險
根據野生動物研究，鳥類在飛行時較容易辨識白色物體，因此白色機身能提升飛機在空中的可見度，降低鳥擊發生的機率，減少對飛行安全的威脅。延伸閱讀：《知識》如何預防外部環境對飛機引擎的危害？
6. 便於廣告板設計
白色是色彩中的基礎色，以白色作為飛機機身顏色，可以讓航空公司可以盡情地在他們的飛機廣告板設計上發揮創意。很多航空公司都會推出各式各樣的彩繪機來進行宣傳行銷。
像是長榮、華航都推出不少彩繪機，拉高消費者選搭意願。彩繪機是有一定的市場魅力，尤其在團體行旅客上最為明顯，只要同一個航點有彩繪機加入服務(例如：Hello Kitty彩繪機)，消費者普遍會選擇搭配彩繪機的行程出遊，對於旅遊的銷售是有正面幫助。延伸閱讀：《知識》聊聊飛機的塗裝設計
7. 便於租賃或轉賣
保持白色機身還有一個好處，就是飛機方便租借或轉賣，航空公司省去噴漆的手續，只需修改機身 LOGO，相較之下更為方便省錢。延伸閱讀：《知識》航空公司選擇「買飛機」或「租飛機」之優缺點分析
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Why Are Most Airline Planes Painted White?
The paint on an airline's aircraft serves not only marketing purposes but also functional considerations. A commercial airplane can last up to 30 years and fly for over 160,000 hours. The paint on the plane acts like a protective cover, similar to a phone case, shielding the aircraft from rain, wind, and sun exposure. Whether it's a new paint job or a repainting, the plane first gets a corrosion-resistant primer, followed by a layer of white paint and additional layers of colorful designs.You may notice that most airlines choose white as the base color for their planes, and this has several benefits:
1. Temperature Control Advantage
The main reason airplanes are often white is to reflect sunlight, reducing heat absorption and helping to maintain a cooler temperature on the plane. This reduces the load on the air conditioning system and lowers cooling costs.
The main reason airplanes are often white is to reflect sunlight, reducing heat absorption and helping to maintain a cooler temperature on the plane. This reduces the load on the air conditioning system and lowers cooling costs.
2. Lower Operating Costs
White-painted planes are cheaper than colorful ones. The cost of white paint is lower, the paint is lighter, and it takes less time to apply, which reduces overall flight costs.
A full color repaint can cost between $50,000 and $200,000 and can take 2 to 3 weeks, affecting the airline's flight schedule. More paint also adds weight, which increases fuel consumption. For example, a Boeing 747 requires at least 250 kilograms of paint. However, some airlines choose to paint their planes in different colors to create a consistent brand image.
White-painted planes are cheaper than colorful ones. The cost of white paint is lower, the paint is lighter, and it takes less time to apply, which reduces overall flight costs.
A full color repaint can cost between $50,000 and $200,000 and can take 2 to 3 weeks, affecting the airline's flight schedule. More paint also adds weight, which increases fuel consumption. For example, a Boeing 747 requires at least 250 kilograms of paint. However, some airlines choose to paint their planes in different colors to create a consistent brand image.
3. Resistant to Fading
Colored paints fade when exposed to sunlight and air, especially at high altitudes where UV radiation speeds up fading. White paint fades much less, helping the plane maintain a good appearance even after years of exposure to the elements.
4. Easier to Inspect
White is an ideal base color because it makes it easier to spot issues like rust, cracks, or oil leaks, helping pilots and maintenance staff detect problems early and ensure safety. White planes are also more visible at night or in case of an emergency.
White is an ideal base color because it makes it easier to spot issues like rust, cracks, or oil leaks, helping pilots and maintenance staff detect problems early and ensure safety. White planes are also more visible at night or in case of an emergency.
5. Reduces Bird Strike Risk
Studies show birds can easily identify white objects while flying, which improves the plane's visibility and reduces the chances of bird strikes, enhancing flight safety.
Studies show birds can easily identify white objects while flying, which improves the plane's visibility and reduces the chances of bird strikes, enhancing flight safety.
6. Better for Advertising Designs
White is a basic color that allows airlines to get creative with advertisements on their planes. Many airlines, like EVA Air and China Airlines, have painted special designs on their planes to attract customers. These "special livery" planes have proven effective, especially for group travelers, as passengers are more likely to choose flights with these unique planes (e.g., Hello Kitty-themed planes), which can boost tourism sales.
White is a basic color that allows airlines to get creative with advertisements on their planes. Many airlines, like EVA Air and China Airlines, have painted special designs on their planes to attract customers. These "special livery" planes have proven effective, especially for group travelers, as passengers are more likely to choose flights with these unique planes (e.g., Hello Kitty-themed planes), which can boost tourism sales.
7. Easier to Rent or Sell
Another benefit of keeping planes white is that it makes it easier to rent or sell them. Airlines can skip repainting and simply change the plane's logo, making the process quicker and more cost-effective.
