Southwest changing the look of its planes

DALLAS -- Southwest Airlines will put a new paint job on its planes, adding a splash of bright color as it enters middle age and faces many changes.

The airline introduced its new livery Monday during an event in a hangar at its headquarters next to Dallas Love Field.

Blue is still the dominant color, but the planes will also have red, yellow and blue swooshes on the tail and wing tips.

Southwest wasn't able to keep it a surprise. Pictures of a Boeing 737 in the new livery leaked on the Internet over the weekend.

The change comes in a year during which 43-year-old Southwest has begun international flights, expanded in New York and Washington, and is freed from longtime government limits on its Dallas schedule.