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Imua One’s First Revenue Flight
Southwest Airlines latest special livery makes its first appearance and first revenue flight out of Dallas Love Field! A tribute to 5 years of Hawaiian operations by the once small intra-Texas airline.
A proud moment for those with Southwest Airlines as Imua One departed Dallas Love Field yesterday on its maiden revenue flight as SWA578 to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.
Imua One was painted up in Spokane, Washington a little over a week ago, and is dedicated to the people of Hawaii as a symbol of thanks 4 years into Southwest's service to the Islands. Below you'll find more information from Southwest Airlines on the background of the latest high flying paint job:
Imua is a rallying cry in the Hawaiian language that translates to an urging forward, and it underscores a key value at Southwest—Teamwork. And it’s fitting that our aircraft dedicated to our Employees and the Island communities is called Imua One, as this aircraft is a symbol of the partnership between the Hawaiian Islands and Southwest.
Osaki Creative Group, an Oahu-based agency, designed Imua One with the guidance of a Hawaiian Cultural Practitioner. Its distinctive design features eight elements that represent concepts in Hawaiian culture that also align with Southwest values. The aircraft design features stars for each of the five airports in Hawaii Southwest serves: Honolulu, Lihue (Kauai), Kahului (Maui), Kona (Island of Hawaii), and Hilo (Island of Hawaii); six paddlers in an outrigger bring to life the concept of Imua; and six turtles in two groups of three to represent harmony and balance. A lei near the nose of the aircraft honors the unique Islands through their official flowers. And, in keeping with the traditional and distinctive colors in our Southwest Heart livery, including bold blue, warm red, and sunrise yellow, a gradient transition from blue to yellow represents the evolution from night to day and honors the Hawaiian history of journeying the Pacific using wind, and following the guidance of the sun, stars, and moon to navigate.
The eight central visual elements of the Imua One livery hold significance in Hawaii and at Southwest:
Ohana (Family): Root in relationships.
Honu (Turtle): Move with perseverance.
Aina (Land): Find common ground.
Ama (Support): Connect to strengthen and balance.
Hoku (Star): Guide with purpose.
Kai (Ocean): Harness good energy.
Lokahi (Unity): Succeed with Teamwork.
Source: https://community.southwest.com/t5/Blog/Say-Aloha-to-Imua-One-an-Aircraft-Dedicated-to-Our-Employees-and/ba-p/158057?fbclid=IwAR1eXlvY8tZlOx6NMmvGMopmXLXn_HtzRMly_jeE_VEYnPXAPkvhDK9JWEo