Air Canada Rondelle turns sixty celebrating iconic years

Wednesday, January 1, 2025

Sixty years ago today, Air Canada’s iconic red rondelle, a symbol instantly recognizable around the globe, took flight.

First introduced on January 1, 1965, this emblem, which features a stylized Maple Leaf encircled by an open ring, has become a proud representation of Canada in the skies.

The milestone coincides with the day Trans-Canada Air Lines officially became Air Canada.

Founded in 1937, the Crown corporation adopted the bilingual name to reflect its evolution from a domestic carrier to an international airline.

With this change came the desire for a modern, instantly recognizable emblem.

The new logo was created by the prominent Canadian design firm Stewart, Morrison and Roberts.

The design was led by Hans Kleefeld, a visionary who shaped the identities of many global brands. Among various proposed designs, Air Canada leadership chose the rondelle in the summer of 1964.

Featuring a Maple Leaf framed by an open circle beginning at its stem, the design was publicly unveiled in October 1964, symbolizing both national pride and the airline’s global reach.

The rondelle has been refreshed twice—first in 1993 and again in 2004—while maintaining its core identity. Today, it adorns the tails of Air Canada’s fleet, continuing to represent Canada to travelers worldwide.

“Customers often tell us that seeing the rondelle on an aircraft tail, no matter where they are in the world, feels like coming home,” said Michael Rousseau, President and CEO of Air Canada. “We take immense pride in representing Canada and the enduring legacy of this iconic symbol.”

As Air Canada celebrates this milestone, the airline reflects on the rondelle’s role as an emblem of Canadian identity and its connection to travelers everywhere.

Sixty years on, the rondelle remains a beacon of home for Canadians and a proud symbol of Air Canada’s history and future.

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