Skift Take
It was questioned whether American Eagle would survive at all during preliminary merger talks and its rebranding confirms its future as a regional airline. The merger presents the most opportune time to clear up customer confusion caused by the similarity in the regional and parent carriers' names.
American Airlines announced today that its regional subsidiary American Eagle is changing its name to Envoy in hopes of establishing a distinct identity and differentiating itself from its parent carrier.
Envoy was chosen from more than 1,000 names. American Eagle’s 14,000 employees had the opportunity to voice their feedback during the selection process.
American Eagle says it settled on the name since it reflects how the company serves as an ambassador and representative to the major carrier’s customers.
But customers will hardly notice the name change when it’s instituted this spring. The travel experience will not change, ticket counters and gates will still be branded American and American Eagle, and aircraft will continue fly with the American Eagle livery.
The only expected change is the addition of “Operated by Envoy” to the planes’ paint scheme and customers’ tickets.
All carriers currently providing regional service for American Airlines and US Airways network will fly under the American Eagle brand once their merger is completed.
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Tags: american airlines, branding
Photo credit: The logo for American Eagle's new name "Envoy." American Airlines