Tailfin Tales Quiz | Aviation

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Which European airline had the national flag in the picture on the tailfins of its aircraft?

Answer: Swiss International

Swiss International, also known as SWISS, took flight in 2002 after Swissair folded.

The new company grew to serve over 100 destinations in 45 countries worldwide and was part of the Lufthansa group. By the start of 2020, the company had 90 aircraft and was flying 19 million passengers each year.

2. This is a picture of the national flag of the United Kingdom. Which British airline used a stylised Union Flag on the tailfins of its aircraft?

Answer: British Airways

To be precise, the actual livery shows the flag split vertically down the middle and given a 'wavy' effect.

British Airways once claimed to be "the world's favourite airline", though customer satisfaction surveys more recently showed that image somewhat tarnished.

By the end of 2019, the company had 280 aircraft capable of carrying 145,000 passengers per day.

3. Based in Beirut, which airline used a tailfin image derived from the flag in the picture?

Answer: Middle East Airlines

Middle East Airlines was founded in 1945 and by February 2020 had 18 aircraft, all built by Airbus. Its main hub was Beirut Rafic Hariri International airport.

The airline provided direct flights from Beirut to cities in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East.

4. Pictured is the national symbol of an island in the Mediterranean. Which airline used it on the tailfins of its aircraft?

Answer: Air Malta

Air Malta was one of Europe's smaller airlines. In early 2000 it had 10 Airbus aircraft flying to more than 35 destinations in 20 countries.

The airline took to the skies for the first time in April 1974.

5. This national flag formed the basis of the tailfin image on an international airline. Which of these was it?

Answer: El Al

Based in Israel, El Al was founded in 1948 and by 2020 had more than 40 aircraft, all Boeings. It served 180 destinations in five continents.

El Al was the first airline in the world to have armed air marshals on flights (or at least the first to be reported as having them).

In the early part of the 21st Century, El Al fitted the Flight Guard anti-missile system to its planes and was the first airline to do so. (See caveat above.)

Soberingly, the previous two paragraphs illustrate that El Al has been the target of several attempted hijackings, only one of which was successful. That occurred in 1968. In 1971, the "New York Times" proclaimed "El Al - The world's Toughest Airline".

6. If you were at a European airport and spotted a plane with a tailfin that resembled the picture, you would probably guess it was from Scotland. Which Scottish airline had a tartan tailfin?

Answer: Loganair

"Scotland's National Airline" was the claim of the air carrier that had a tartan motif on its tailfins.

Loganair was founded in 1962 and forged a niche in the short-haul sector, using small to medium sized aircraft. These ranged from the Britten Norman Islander that could carry eight or nine passengers to the ATR72-600 that could carry 70.

By 2020 the airline served 70 destinations in six European countries.

During the Covid-19 pandemic of 2020, Loganair converted one of its aircraft into an air ambulance to provide a service for patients from the smaller Scottish islands who would need specialised hospital care.

7. Oh say can you see which US aircraft company used a stylised version of 'Old Glory" on its tailfins?

Answer: American

The flag was turned into a blocky graphic.

America Airlines traced their history to 1926 when Charles Lindburgh flew their first flight carrying mail from St. Louis, Missouri, to Chicago, Illinois.

By April 2020, the company had over 900 aircraft and claimed to be one of the world's largest airlines. The company website claimed that with regional partner American Eagle, AA offered an average of nearly 6,700 flights daily to 350 destinations in 50 countries.

8. At airports on either side of the Atlantic you may well see aircraft with this national symbol on their tailfins. Which airline used it?

Answer: Air Canada

Air Canada was founded in 1936. By 2020, Air Canada and its subsidiaries had more than 400 aircraft from a range of manufacturers including Airbus, Boeing, Bombardier, and De Havilland.

Statista.com noted that in 2019 Air Canada carried a record number of passengers, 51.5 million. The company website noted that it served more than 220 destinations on six continents.

9. Animals were frequently depicted on the tailfins of passenger aircraft. The airline of a country that was part of the natural habitat of this animal had its depiction on tailfins. Which airline is it?

Answer: Air Tanzania

Of course you already knew that the natural habitat of giraffes is in sub-saharan African. Three of the countries listed are not in those areas.

Air Tanzania was founded in 1977 and was based in Dar es Salaam.

At the end of 2019, Air Tanzania had nine aircraft from a range of manufacturers including Airbus, Boeing and (De Havilland) Dash.

Billing itself "The Wings of Kilimanjaro", Air Tanzania flew to destinations throughout Africa.

10. If you ever spend some time at Dublin Airport, you are likely to see this symbol on the tailfins of one company's aircraft. Which Irish company used it?

Answer: Aer Lingus

A few years ago, Aer Lingus caused something of a controversy when it announced that it was changing its emblem from a three-leaf shamrock to one with four leaves. As the fury reached new heights, I imagine Aer Lingus probably said something along the lines "Did none of you eejits notice the date on the press release?" It was April 1st 2015.

Aer Lingus was founded in 1936 and was based at Dublin Airport. It was Ireland's national flag carrier. By November 2018 it had more than 50 aircraft, featuring a mixture of Airbus and Boeing planes. The Aer Lingus Regional service was provided by Stobart Air, a UK company, using mainly ATR turboprops.

Travelextra.ie noted that in 2018 Aer Lingus carried 13.1 million passengers and its revenue passed $2 billion for the first time.

In 2015, Aer Lingus became part of the International Airlines Group (IAG), which also featured British Airways and Iberia.

Source: Author darksplash

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor stedman before going online.
Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.

Tailfin Tales Trivia Quiz

Airlines around the world like to have a distinct livery for their aircraft. Using photographs representing tailfin images, or tail fin if you like, identify 10 airlines.

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