Frontier Airlines has revealed the latest unique aircraft to join its fleet. The Airbus A321neo has a special livery featuring a bald eagle on the airplane's tail = a nod to its partnership with Pratt & Whitney. The eagle on the aircraft has been named "Edward the Eagle" after historic aviator Edward Hall.

In recognition of the companies’ relationship, Frontier asked Pratt & Whitney employees to name the first three of the airline’s 144 A320neo family aircraft powered by GTF engines. Picking Hall is a fitting tribute to him as the airplane has been delivered during Black History Month. This latest aircraft livery is the third Frontier has released with a Bald Eagle commemorating a historic aviator and celebrating its partnership with P&W.

Commemorative tail

All Frontier's planes have animals on their tail, making every plane unique, and each plane also gets a name that corresponds with its animal. Frontier has recently been focusing on adding meaning to every aircraft and livery. It has chosen to do this as a way to give back to aviation pioneers that came before and paved the path for modern aviation. It wants its fleet to remind the world of these pioneers, because without them, aviation would not be what it is today.

Life of an aviator

This latest fleet addition celebrates the life and achievements of Edward Hall. Hall was a member of the Tuskegee Airmen in World War II. The unit was one of the most highly decorated units in the US Army. Uniquely it only consisted of African-Americans. As a member of this Unit, Hall was one of the first African Americans trained as a navigator and bombardier in the US military. In this role, Hall helped his unit succeed on many missions, which was crucial in bringing the war in Europe to an end.

However, after the war, these airmen faced many challenges in returning to the US. At the time, racial prejudice remained high. This forced Hall and the other Tuskegee Airmen to continuously fight for equality and recognition. Regarding these challenges, the Vice President of Mature Commercial Engines at Pratt & Whitney, Earl Exum, stated,

"The Tuskegee Airmen were among the most talented and decorated U.S. World War II pilots, yet they returned from distinguished military service only to face a battle for desegregation and equality at home,"

Despite these challenges, Hall went on to work for Pratt & Whitney as an engineer for 33 years. Throughout this career, Hall helped develop many of the engines that pushed the aviation industry to be what it is today. Exum stated,

"Aviation pioneers like Hall have been the talent and intelligence behind decades of groundbreaking engines at Pratt & Whitney. We believe diversity and inclusion are differentiators for creativity and innovation, so it is moving to see his heroism, life and legacy honored in this way."

Commemorating an aviator

Frontier Airlines has chosen to commemorate Hall for his many accomplishments and contributions to aviation. President and CEO of Frontier Airlines, Barry Biffle, stated,

"We are extremely proud that our newest A321neo features a bald eagle on its tail named for the late Edward Hall, who valiantly served our country as a Tuskegee Airman, achieved remarkable professional success following his military career, and helped break barriers for African Americans through his advocacy and leadership,"

What do you think of Frontier commemorating Hall for Black History Month? Let us know in the comments below.