Inverted Maltese flag not a mistake
Facebook users have wondered if the plane livery’s flag is incorrect. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi
The inverted Maltese flag featuring on Air Malta’s new livery is no painters’ mistake but follows international “flag etiquette”, an airline spokesperson notes.
A photo of the plane bearing the new livery is doing the rounds on Facebook with people asking whether the inverted Maltese flag was a gaffe.
But the airline spokesperson confirms what aircraft experts had told The Times earlier – that this was in line with what is known as flag etiquette.
The spokesperson insists that the position and depiction of the Maltese flag is correct because the national colours should never be seen to be travelling backwards but always in the direction of the wind. A flag has a “hoist” side – the flagpole side – and the “fly” – the free – side. The Maltese flag is white in the hoist and red in the fly.
“Whether you see the white on the left or the right depends on the direction of the wind relative to the viewer. Traditionally, flags on aircraft around the world are depicted with the hoist at the front of the aircraft and fly at the aft as if the flag is trailing the wind in the same direction as the aircraft’s motion. This is how the Maltese flag has been depicted on all Air Malta liveries in the past and this is the correct orientation,” the spokesperson notes.
The Air Malta fleet is receiving a facelift as part of the airline’s €2 million rebranding exercise. It also has a new motto – Flying the Pride of Malta.
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81 Comments
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Simon Abela
Oct 6th 2012, 18:47
Well displaying nice colors is one thing lowering your fares, and atract more passengers to fly with Air Malta would be much a better Choice. I am sure that Air Malta can find a Maltese CEO to run teh company instead of paying lots of Euro;s to a foreign expert that could careless if the Airline stays profitable or not. He still gets paid.
S Abela
Texas
Francis Grech
Oct 6th 2012, 16:47
Well done Air Malta for the new livery on the planes one can still recognise that the plane belong to Air Malta by the Maltese cross on it's tail people that don't like colour full painted planes are a dull bunch and should stick by wearing dark colour cloths because that's all they are still living in the dark AGES.Proset.
S Azzopardi
Oct 6th 2012, 14:02
The old livery was elegant and was suited to represent THE national airline. Likewise can be noted of the original 1974 livery which sadly has never been used again. This new design is trying to portray Air Malta as a low cost airline which it clearly is not. We await to see if changing the livery will have any significant impact
Bogdan Cilia
Oct 6th 2012, 10:21
Such an ugly colour scheme! What ever happened to the 'Simple & Nice' quote.
carmel cassar
Oct 6th 2012, 09:44
The painter must has run out of space when it came to the cross, but at 2m to rebdrand it, Air Malta hasn't got the cash to redo it again.
Carmel De Gabriele
Oct 6th 2012, 05:50
As if somebody will be watching the flag in mid-air.... unless you have a mig!!
J jones
Oct 5th 2012, 23:57
Makes sense as even the cross is being blown off the tail !
Pierre Micallef-Grimaud
Oct 5th 2012, 19:46
Nice & the international flag etiquette makes sense. Appreciate something we own not just criticize!
Edmond Micallef
Oct 5th 2012, 19:27
@Wenzu Cole.
Believe me, it does not stand out in any particular good light when 'parked in large international airports across the globe'.
It simply stands out for what it was meant to be depicted. A National Airline in the livery of the low cost industry!
jonathan saliba
Oct 5th 2012, 19:20
hudu break lahwa u naprezzaw prodott malti, mhux kull haga li ssir irridu imaqdru. ENJOY
Joseph Grech Attard
Oct 5th 2012, 18:38
Do people really chose an airlline because of its livery? If so, then we could have asked one of the many designers, like Armani, D&G, etc to sign it. That would have been a case of real class-distinction and it could have also made many Maltese feel more comfortable than flying with cheap, low-cost airlines intended for the lower classes. After all, class distinction still matters in Malta!!
Anthony Pace Gouder
Oct 5th 2012, 15:07
This brings to my mind an Old 17th century oil painting where the Artist made the blatant mistake of drawing a Galleon travelling with full wind-blown sails in the wind's direction and then all the FLAGS with a long streamer on the main mast flowing backward i.e, against the direction of the wind . Yes I agree for the way the flag is inverted , red on the left and the white and George cross on the right .
Brian Gatt
Oct 5th 2012, 14:43
New look but same old problems, any idea how our national airline is fairing financially because it seems everything quieted down all of a sudden...could it be because we have an election close by?
GL Calleja
Oct 5th 2012, 15:27
Now that Air Malta, very mysteriously has settled with the Pilots Union. everything is moving smoothly. Good job Mr Davies.
Alan Agius
Oct 5th 2012, 14:36
Stunning design... The plan looks brilliant!
vincent a galea
Oct 5th 2012, 14:21
I so agree that the new livery gives our National Airline the look of low cost travel and of some wayward nation!
I am a retired British Airways Manager, and the new livery reminds me of an incident when BA introduced similar livery. Maggie Thatcher, then UK Prime Minister, at the launching ceremony quickly took a handkerchief out of her handbag and threw it on the aircraft model, as she could not bear it!. The Airline quickly changed the offending colours. Doubt if Air Malta would even consider doing that!!
Would it not have been so decent of OUR AIRLINE to show us some respect and present the new livery before it was decided and asked for comments??!!
Would it not be
Alan Agius
Oct 5th 2012, 14:37
it's brilliant, looks at least 10x better then the old design.
GL Calleja
Oct 5th 2012, 14:44
I could say " We are Maltese and we do as we please". But I am not too sure that the spokesman for the airline is Maltese in the first place. We know that the CEO and his Merry Men are not and that should tell us something. The whole item is that the Maltese Cross has 8 points and it is missing two of those points.
James Vella
Oct 5th 2012, 14:45
Mr.Galea
If you are a retired manager it means that you are of a certain age and mentality!!!!!!
Well done Air Malta
C Cassar
Oct 5th 2012, 17:44
vincent a galea, if you are really a retired BA manager then you will remember that the design chosen by BA was to have different patterns on the tail plane of each aircraft. Since that was changed, BA now has a symbol of the union jack flag. Air Malta also has a symbol of the Maltese flag because times have moved on from the stuffy corporate image that airlines used to show. Even BA moved on for that.
J Martinelli
Oct 5th 2012, 18:02
@ GL Calleja
The designers must have stolen a page from the MLP or LP or whatever..
They too redesigned their logo and gone is the old 'torch' but replaced it with some squiggly lines. Did you complain to Joseph?
Victor Pulis
Oct 5th 2012, 13:25
The flag would be wrong if the aircraft was flying backwards in reverse!
Chris Tuckley
Oct 5th 2012, 13:15
Why are so many people knocking Air Malta, I have flown on many airlines all over the world. Ryan Air EasyJet are 2 of the budget airline I have flown with. We fly to Malta every year, sometimes twice, We drive past 2 airports in the UK who fly to Malta to ensure we fly Air Malta, one of the best in the world. The budgets are a waste of money as far as I am concerned I an 6ft2in and struggle to sit. Thankyou Air Malta 3hrs 15 mins of comfort.
G. Rapinett
Oct 5th 2012, 15:02
@C Tuckley - This is a national hobby!!! Armchair critics is an another deception.
GL Calleja
Oct 5th 2012, 16:40
Mr Tuckley, I too have flown many airlines and if you are 6foot 2inches tall, there is no way you can be sitting comfortable on any of the Air Malta economy seats unless you have short legs. I am 5ft 6in tall and believe me I do not feel so comfortable sitting in any of the economy seats. Get real.
C Sant
Oct 6th 2012, 07:41
I travel at least 15 times per year, have always flown AirMalta whenever possible and can clearly state that in my experience Airmalta comes first for punctuality at arrival, service and even food. The only problem is that it does not cover more cities and at a higher frequencies.
Interestingly, Airmalta is in the 14th position out of 100 airline reviews submitted by passengers ahead of Lufthansa (17), KLM (37), British Airways (44) and Alitalia (47).
http://www.edreams.com/static/en/sites_pages/seo/airlines/index/newwindow.html
Joe Portelli
Oct 5th 2012, 13:09
OK - much critism may be justified and we all learn something from it - but what sells any airline's reputation is not gimmicks, nor low staff lost time accidents but the fact that the airline keeps the planes safe in the air - to do this one must go beyond complying with International Standards and publish such achievements , then the reputation can be built on and measured by new foreign customers and not just patriotic local users.....
AIr Malta safety matches with the best airlines in the world and that should be supported by the airline's own documentation and all silly comments on other issues are seen as what they are - mischieve.
Reuben Vassallo
Oct 5th 2012, 12:59
Great Job, moving with current times. A ver good looking facelift, our airlines deserved it.
Thanks to all involved, effort and money well spent. Let's all hope for a better future
for our airline and our country.
Louis Pace
Oct 5th 2012, 12:51
That is the most stupid excuse ever - If it a real flag on a post then let it be but a printed one should always be the original way round.... Just say that who ever was in charge of the print proof was so stupid ......
A Airony
Oct 6th 2012, 18:30
Just google 'reverse flag on aeroplane' and you will have all the answers you want; http://www.snopes.com/politics/graphics/afo.jpg See, even the Us flag is in reverse here! I was dubious myself before this ToM notice came out and went to look airline flags on purpose. I don't think the National Air Force One, a Us Government Plane, would make such a mistake. Get yourself a life, seriously.
David Bailey
Oct 5th 2012, 12:44
What's the use of a re-spraying planes when the AirMalta website sucks? I tried to book flights to London and their servers were down, this was the second time in a few months it has had issues. It always seems very slow as well. Getting a print out of your booking details is a headache and don't even attempt to retrieve your old flypass number or change your booking.. the system leaves much to be desired compared to Easyjet's or Ryanair's.
Louis Galea
Oct 5th 2012, 14:24
I'm a frequent flier with Airmalta and book my reservations on their website and never had any of the problems you're mumbling about.
James Vella
Oct 5th 2012, 14:25
Mr.Bailey
It could be that the website of Ryanair and Easyjet is much better than Air Malta's, but than when you come to the the day when you are to fly with these airlines its not the website that is to be compared to Air Malta but their service, which is to use your words much to be desired.
Keep it up Air Malta.
I am one of many loyal customers, and will never use crap airlines again
David Bailey
Oct 5th 2012, 16:45
@James Vella
Not really, I've used all three and the service was OK with all of them. Don't see what's special about AirMalta except the higher prices. They give you food, sometimes it's crap, sometime's it's OK, I actually prefer to take my own, or at least on EasyJet and Ryanair you can buy something you want.
Peter Midler
Oct 5th 2012, 21:22
David Bailey if you want to eat crap, travel with Lufthansa, one of the worlds giant airlines.
Air Malta isone of the smallest airlines, but offers the best service you can get from any airline.
Wenzu Cole
Oct 5th 2012, 12:35
What happens when the plan is reversing? :)
Joking apart, well done to the artist. It’s a design that will stand out when the plane is parked in large international airports across the globe.
Godfrey Grima
Oct 5th 2012, 12:34
The flag has been "inverted" from the start and nobody ever complained
http://www.airliners.net/photo/Air-Malta/Boeing-720-040B/2001127/L/&sid=8a0837c26fb578fa6221003e9abd80d3
http://www.airliners.net/photo/Air-Malta/Boeing-720-047B/2134035/L/&sid=8a0837c26fb578fa6221003e9abd80d3
Great, stunning and daring new livery which will see Air Malta fly high into the 21st century.
Joseph Borg
Oct 5th 2012, 12:31
Am I the only one who thinks it looks low cost and seems like a giant African Macaw Parrot crashed into it from the rear?!?!
daniel muscat
Oct 5th 2012, 12:41
we are getting there joseph, they allready suggested to take off the snack
C Cassar
Oct 5th 2012, 14:06
I think Air Malta should definitely stop serving the hot food they currently serve on some of their flights. A better option would be to serve a cold snack, bread roll/wrap etc. Take the lead from an airline such as Lufthansa. The current refreshments on Air Malta are way out of date. A cold, quality snack costs much less for the airline and will please many more of their customers.
James Vella
Oct 5th 2012, 14:41
I think that it is about time that Air Malta stops serving such snacks, just like all other airlines, its only a burden on the company's finances. Low cost airlines everything is up for sale for all the duration of the flight as if you are at the market, and yet us Maltese don't complain. But we pretend a six course meal a la cart on Air Malta
G curmi
Oct 5th 2012, 12:26
Jistghu jghidulna fejn gew mizbugha please? Ghax waqt li kont qed nitpaxxa nara l-ajruplani waqt l-Airshow semmew li gew mizbugha barra minn pajjizna!!!
Iva possibli l-ebda CUC Malti ma kien kapaci jizbghu????? Possibbli m'ghandniex nies ta' stoffa fuq dan ix-xoghol. Dan l-affarijiet iwegghuni wisq u hemm bzonn li Euro nqallawha lil haddiema ta' pajjizna!!!!!!!!
Nahseb kont inkun iktar kburi nghid dak siehbi l-Malti li ghamlu !!!
victor bonello
Oct 5th 2012, 12:21
I love it.. even if the cost is a little outrages.. but still love it.
I love the fact that the engines are red. The only way to get Malta and Air Malta off the ground, bright RED !
carmelina magro
Oct 5th 2012, 12:13
whatever...it still reminds me of the colours of a certain local drink...
Ms.D. Galea
Oct 5th 2012, 12:12
No offence meant for anyone but everytime I see the new colours I am reminded of a can of Campbell's soup.
Pierre John Agius
Oct 5th 2012, 12:10
Brilliant colours. I am very proud of my national airline. And this morning I learnt something too - the inversion of the flag is logical and as its hould be. Well done and congrats.
daniel muscat
Oct 5th 2012, 12:07
Flying the Pride of Malta. lol especially if instead of the snack, they introduce the Tombla. I'm a frequent flyer between Air Malta and Lufthansa, one thing i hate is a lot of noise from the people during a flight. i cannot imagine a flight hearing one and two twelve and so on for 3 hours. I only think about some options, like start travel only with lufthansa, punch the person who's bring up the numbers or the last case jump off the plane lolol
Tonio Bone
Oct 5th 2012, 11:50
For heaven's sake can people realize that there is a need to give our airline a modern business model and a modern look too! Why do people have to be so damn fiscal in everything that they see! I think the new livery is stunning, defects included!
I don't work at Air Malta and I totally empathise with all employees that but there are only three scenarios in the immediate future: restructure, privatise or close down! I'd go for a good foundation upwards restructure every day!
m. borg (slm)
Oct 5th 2012, 12:09
I thought the PN did that 25 years ago, but then we all know what happened AirMalta went to the dogs.
V Mercieca
Oct 5th 2012, 12:40
@m.borg (slm)
I don’t know if the PN really tried as you said. I remember watching Affari Taghana where Tony Zarb of the GWU read a letter written by the then Chairman of Air Malta Joseph Tabone to the finance minister at that time (around 1995 if not mistaken) about the prospects of selling AirMalta. The PN dismantled each and every company that Mintoff established.
godwin difesa
Oct 5th 2012, 13:42
@V Mercieca
How can Air Malta not loose Money? 25 years ago GWU had come to an agreement with Air Malta about collective agreement of the clerks that every 5 years they will revise a promotion.So after 25 years almost all
the clerks had the grade of managers.Air Malta should had been left away from politics from bought parties
but unfortunate for us tax payers it was not.Malta need to have our own Air Lines as other wise we will be black mailed buy the low coast for lower land prices.
Kathy Elliot
Oct 5th 2012, 11:33
The new livery, and all the adjacent free pen drives and other such stuff, cost the company another million. WHERE did that million come from? Are they purposefully trying to sink this company, or is it some sort of secret very generous sponsor?
Nicholas Borg
Oct 5th 2012, 11:26
Perfectly correct - see the US flag on this aircraft, it also "trailing the wind".
www.airliners.net/aviation-photos/photos/0/3/4/1337430.jpg" target="_blank">http://cdn-www.airliners.net/aviation-photos/photos/0/3/4/1337430.jpg
Lucas Micallef
Oct 5th 2012, 11:24
Flying the Pride of Malta......... I experienced one of my worst trips when I was coming back from Heathrow........ I done a complaint regarding the arrogance I experienced from the only Maltese person that was there!!!! And 40 days have passed and still I did not get any reply!! Unbelievable
j brincat
Oct 5th 2012, 11:21
@C Cassar
"All that's needed now is a completely refreshed website that allows customers to do much more online, such as book flights and upgrades through the portal. Having to mandatory call up a call centre is out of date"
ALL that is needed is patrons and cheaper flights!
(jb).
j brincat
Oct 5th 2012, 11:19
"The Air Malta fleet is receiving a facelift as part of the airline’s €2 million rebranding exercise. It also has a new motto – Flying the Pride of Malta"
AND how wise it to incur a costly rebranding exercise when Air Malta is still in a very delicate financial situation?
But then it is now being run by a 'non cuc Malti'.
(jb)
Keith Cauchi
Oct 5th 2012, 11:17
It's a given international standard that flags showing the aircraft's country of registration displayed on the starboard (right hand) side of aircraft is shown inverse. This is also true of the paintscheme that we've grown to see everyday and which is now being phased out. My tip to all facebookers out there is go google Air Malta and see how the national flag is displayed on the starboard side, then do the same for any other airline. You'll keep seeing the same thing over and over again except of course for flags that do not have a "reverse side" such as the Netherlands and Germany.
Charles Cremona
Oct 5th 2012, 11:15
There was nothing wrong with the old livery, this expensive new paintwork is something Air Malta can ill afford and will not increase passengers, profits or make the planes go faster.
R Mallia
Oct 5th 2012, 11:12
This is nice. I like the design, looks modern and summery.
Lawrence Attard
Oct 5th 2012, 10:55
Why worry let's play bingo during the flight maybe we could win the line or house (sic).
C Cassar
Oct 5th 2012, 09:57
The new livery is fantastic and a true breath of fresh air compared to the stuffy, out of data an stale current offering.
It's a shame so many Maltese can't progress from the past with their constant moans about anything new.
All that's needed now is a completely refreshed website that allows customers to do much more online, such as book flights and upgrades through the portal. Having to mandatory call up a call centre is out of date.
Adrian Meli
Oct 5th 2012, 11:18
If you think that having a new livery is solving any problems at AirMalta, than I suggest you speak to the workers instead....
It's not the colours which make the difference but the decisions which are taken by the company.
Time will tell
Peter Murray
Oct 5th 2012, 11:41
Judging by your last concern it would appear evident that still "so many Maltese can't progress from the past"-and it is not all that is needed as you suggest - as registering profits are more urgently needed
Peter Murray
Oct 5th 2012, 11:41
Judging by your last concern it would appear evident that still "so many Maltese can't progress from the past"-and it is not all that is needed as you suggest - as registering profits are more urgently needed
m. borg (slm)
Oct 5th 2012, 12:12
I for one would not moan if you Mr Cassar paid for the €2 million for the change, how much difference do you think these changes are going to make ?.
It is service and punctuality that Air Malta was renowned for and which it has lost over the last 8 years, especially the last 4.
C Cassar
Oct 5th 2012, 12:59
Of course profits are a top priority as this is where funds for future investment are generated. How else can the company grow without profits? Try telling other successful companies such as Lufthansa, BMW, Porsche, Apple, Siemens etc to operate without making a profit.
Peter Murray
Oct 5th 2012, 09:40
I suppose it is "etiquette" also to not have the whole of the Maltese Cross- as shown on the tail of the aircraft -and cut off some of it?
Joseph Micallef
Oct 5th 2012, 10:33
Mr Murray we are talking of a logo here, a graphic design, not a historic representation of an ensign!
C Cassar
Oct 5th 2012, 11:13
It's modern design. Simply sticking a national flag on the tail of an aircraft is out of date. Look at British Airways, their aircraft have symbol of the Union jack, not the actula flag. Look at Lufthansa, they don't even bothe with a national flag. The design now is much more warm than the coporate stuffy and stagnant one of old.
Anthony Grech
Oct 5th 2012, 11:16
The other part was 'Gone with the wind'
John J Borg
Oct 5th 2012, 11:21
considering the size and shape of the tail, its a balance between a small complete cross and a large noncomplete `recognizable` cross.................better the large gross
Cesco Bonello
Oct 5th 2012, 11:21
its probably "etiquette" to leave the design to the designers Mr.Murray... you know, let him who has an actual knowledge in aesthetics do his work...
Keith Cauchi
Oct 5th 2012, 11:25
That is not a question of etiquette, it's purely an artistic expression. The same thing happened to the Union Jack on British Airways aircraft back in 2000 when the new livery was introduced.
Joe Borg
Oct 5th 2012, 11:50
the only option would have been to make the cross smaller which is not good in my opinion. The centre of the cross has to be on the same exact position due to the rudder.
Please don't always complain!! This design is brilliant and of the nicest of all the airlines around.
Stanley Vassallo
Oct 5th 2012, 12:09
Mr Murray
Ever occurred to you to post a positive comment? is the world so permanently gloomy?
m. borg (slm)
Oct 5th 2012, 12:14
Of course Mr Borg Lufthansa and Air France two success stories are not as nice as ours, almost a failure.
C. Bonnici
Oct 5th 2012, 12:35
Mr Murray, you need a heavy dose of optimism. Take on a hobby or something...
Victor Pulis
Oct 5th 2012, 13:29
I don't really mind that one tip of the cross is missing as long as the maltese cross is recognisable. In printing it's called bleeding. like when you have a picture going off the edge of a page. it's acceptable.
G. Rapinett
Oct 5th 2012, 15:01
Seriously, what is your solution? And how does this match up with the overall re-branding strategy?
I was thought that moaning should be a prelude to solutions.
It is perfectly fine to have reservations about certain issues - however, constantly shooting down everything and anything Maltese is becoming a hobby.
joseph borg st john
Oct 5th 2012, 17:53
M.borg (SLM) Don't worry soon we will have Joseph Muscat he will repaint the planes and AIR MALTA starts making loads of money and everything else on this island he's such an expert in everything wonder boy .lol
C Sant
Oct 6th 2012, 07:52
Some people are really born in a dark gloomy damp place and every speck of light gives them a headache and thus complain that there should not be light. Mr Murray, For your sake just accept that there is light and that it is better than your dark and gloomy place!
Please choose the reason of your report below: