Airline Brand Colors API

Bring airline color accents into your travel experience. Retrieve brand color data matched to airline names and codes, with hex and RGB values ready to use in flight cards, itineraries and airline profiles.

Get test API key View example
  • Hex and RGB color values
  • Lookup by code or name
  • Palette metadata

Retrieve an airline’s brand colors

Look up United Airlines using its IATA code UA and read the colorscheme array. Each palette entry includes RGB values, a hex value, a percentage and a darkness indicator. Replace YOUR_API_KEY with your assigned key.

Request · cURL

curl --get 'https://content.airhex.com/api/v3.7.10/airlines/' \
  --data-urlencode 'apikey=YOUR_API_KEY' \
  --data-urlencode 'iata=UA'

Response · JSON excerpt

[
  {
    "iata": "UA",
    "icao": "UAL",
    "marketing_name": "United Airlines",
    "colorscheme": [
      {
        "color": [20, 20, 212],
        "percent": 98,
        "hex": "#1414D4",
        "dark": 1
      }
    ],
    ...
  }
]

Abbreviated response. The ellipsis (…) represents additional airline fields omitted here and is not part of the actual JSON response.

View the full Airline Database API reference →

Request parameters

Look up an airline or export the directory, then read colorscheme from the returned records. colorscheme is a response field rather than a request parameter. Use JSON to work directly with the nested palette entries.

ParameterRequiredDefaultDescription
apikey YesNoneYour assigned API key. Get a free test API key.
iata ConditionalNoneLook up an airline by its two-character IATA code, such as UA.
icao ConditionalNoneLook up an airline by its three-letter ICAO code, such as UAL.
name ConditionalNoneFind airline codes by airline name or partial name.
dump Conditional0Set to 1 to export the complete dataset, subject to the onlyscheduled filter.
response_type NoJSONResponse format: JSON, XML or CSV. CSV triggers a file download.
onlyscheduled No1Set to 1 for scheduled airlines only, or 0 for all airline types.

Provide at least one of iata, icao, name, or dump=1. Setting dump=1 overrides the other lookup parameters.

View all request parameters →

Available data

Use colorscheme with the airline identity to select color accents. The rows below describe the palette array and its nested properties; preserve the full array when storing the response.

FieldTypeExampleDescription
airhex_id String965Permanent Airhex record identifier. Use it to associate future updates with the same record.
iata StringUATwo-character IATA airline designator. Codes can contain letters and digits; store them as text.
icao StringUALThree-letter ICAO airline designator, useful for mapping between code systems.
marketing_name StringUnited AirlinesCommonly used airline name for display in your application.
colorscheme ArraySee JSON exampleAirline brand color entries, including RGB, percentage, hex and darkness metadata.
colorscheme[].color Array[20, 20, 212]RGB components for this palette entry, in red, green, blue order.
colorscheme[].percent Number98Percentage supplied for this palette entry; not a recommended UI layout proportion.
colorscheme[].hex String#1414D4Hex color value for this palette entry.
colorscheme[].dark Integer1Darkness indicator supplied with this entry; not a measured text-contrast ratio.

View all available data →

Common implementation tasks

Download airline palettes for your application

Export the directory in JSON to preserve each colorscheme array and its nested properties. Store palettes with airline names, codes and airhex_id. Set onlyscheduled=0 if you need carrier types beyond scheduled airlines, then select the relevant records in your application.

curl --get 'https://content.airhex.com/api/v3.7.10/airlines/' \
  --data-urlencode 'apikey=YOUR_API_KEY' \
  --data-urlencode 'dump=1' \
  --data-urlencode 'onlyscheduled=0' \
  --data-urlencode 'response_type=JSON' \
  --output airline-brand-colors.json

Find brand colors by airline name

Search with name, confirm the intended airline and read colorscheme. Name searches support partial matching, so check the returned identity before applying a palette to an airline card or profile.

curl --get 'https://content.airhex.com/api/v3.7.10/airlines/' \
  --data-urlencode 'apikey=YOUR_API_KEY' \
  --data-urlencode 'name=United'

Retrieve a palette using an ICAO code

Use icao when your data source supplies a three-letter airline identifier. This example retrieves United Airlines using UAL and returns its colorscheme alongside the airline identity.

curl --get 'https://content.airhex.com/api/v3.7.10/airlines/' \
  --data-urlencode 'apikey=YOUR_API_KEY' \
  --data-urlencode 'icao=UAL'

What you can build

Airline accents in flight results

Apply airline colors to card borders, badges or other accents while keeping pricing and flight information readable.

Consistent airline profiles

Use the same stored palette across airline profiles, itinerary views and carrier comparison pages.

Recognizable reporting dashboards

Associate carrier colors with chart series and legends, alongside text labels that identify each airline.

Frequently asked questions

What does the Airline Brand Colors API return?

The colorscheme field contains an array of palette entries. Each entry includes color for RGB components, hex for the hex value, percent for the supplied percentage and dark for a darkness indicator.

Can I use the returned hex values in CSS?

Yes. A returned hex value such as #1414D4 can be used as a CSS color. Check that the palette and value exist before applying them, and keep a default color for missing data. Use color for RGB components. Keep the airline name and logo available so travelers can identify the carrier without relying on color alone.

Does the API provide one primary color or several colors?

The response uses an array, so your integration should support multiple entries rather than assuming a single color. Choose which entry to display according to your interface requirements; do not assume every airline has the same palette size.

Should percent determine how much of my interface uses a color?

No. It is metadata supplied with the palette entry, not an instruction for page layout. Your design system should determine where and how much of each color to use.

Does dark guarantee readable white or black text?

No. Treat dark as a darkness indicator, not an accessibility certification or contrast ratio. Check the specific foreground and background combination in your interface.

Does the palette replace an airline’s brand guidelines?

No. The field supplies color data, not a full brand manual, print color specification or permission to use an airline’s trademarks. Use the appropriate brand guidance for applications that require exact brand specifications.

What should I do if colorscheme is missing or empty?

Use your application’s default styling and keep the airline name visible. Do not infer a palette from the airline’s alliance or parent carrier.

Can I download and store airline colors locally?

Yes, with an appropriate Airline Database license. Export with dump=1 and response_type=JSON to preserve the nested palette structure. Keep the airline identity with each palette and refresh stored records periodically. Retain airhex_id and the updated timestamp from the full response to pick up changes to the palette.

Make airlines more recognizable in your product

Bring consistent airline color accents to flight results, profiles and passenger information without researching each carrier’s palette manually.

Get test API keyGet a quote →

Airline Database API →

Explore the complete airline dataset, including IATA and ICAO codes, names, operational status, carrier types, alliances, frequent flyer programs, check-in and baggage policy links, logos and brand colors. View all request parameters and response fields, with individual lookups and bulk exports in JSON, XML and CSV.

Airline Alliance API →

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Airline Baggage Policy API →

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Airline Frequent Flyer Programs API →

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Airline IATA Codes API →

Look up airline IATA codes, match codes to airline names and ICAO codes, or export the airline coding directory with the Airhex API.

Airline ICAO Codes API →

Look up three-letter ICAO airline codes, match them to airline names and IATA codes, and download the airline directory with the Airhex API.

Airline Metadata API →

Retrieve low-cost carrier flags and airline types, including scheduled, charter, cargo and ACMI. Look up airline metadata by code or name with Airhex.

Airline Online Check-in API →

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Airline Status API →

Look up airline operational status: active, defunct or start-up. Retrieve status by airline code or name and filter your local airline directory with Airhex.