Next time you go to the airport, check out the tarmac. You’ll likely spot plenty of commercial planes with the American flag painted on their side. Interestingly, most of these planes show the flag backwards; the stars sit in the upper-right corner instead of the upper-left. From big jets to small planes, this is pretty standard in the U.S. Now, unless you know the U.S. Flag Code well, you’re probably curious why the American flag appears backwards on planes.
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It’s Not Really Backwards…
First, it’s important to note that the American flag isn’t technically backwards when presented with the stars in the upper-right corner. It just looks backwards because we are accustomed to seeing it with the stars in the upper-left corner. If you stand outside in front of a pole-mounted American flag as it blows in the wind, the stars may be located in the upper-right corner, or they may be located in the upper-left corner — it all depends on the direction of the wind as well as where you are standing in relation to the flag.
The US Flag Code Requires It
Airlines don’t have the option to present the American flag with the stars in the upper-right corner; there’s a federal law in the United States requiring them to do so. Known as the U.S. Flag Code, it states that the American flag should be presented so that it’s “… facing to the observer’s right, and gives the effect of the flag flying in the breeze as the wearer moves forward.” This applies to any instance in which the American flag is displayed on a uniform, car, truck, airplane, space shuttle or other types of vehicles.
While there’s no “flag police” who will arrest or charge airlines for displaying the American flag in a reversed manner, it’s still proper etiquette to comply with the Flag Code. The Flag Code has been around since 1942, and it contains several provisions on how to honor and respect the American flag. As mentioned above, one of these provisions is to display the American flag on uniforms and vehicles to create the impression that it’s flying behind the person or vehicle as the person or vehicle moves forward.
In 2018, the aerospace company Airbus tweeted why it paints the American flag with the stars in the upper-right corner when designing and manufacturing airplanes. In the company’s tweet, Airbus says that federal regulations — a.k.a. the U.S. Flag Code – require the American flag to feature this format when it’s displayed on vehicles, including airplanes.
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About the author
Barry Mason is a proud third-generation American whose grandfather served in World War II. Born and raised in small-town Tennessee, Barry developed a deep appreciation for American history and traditions from an early age, learning about the sacrifices made by previous generations. Barry has spent over a decade writing about flag etiquette, patriotic traditions, military history, and the stories behind America's most cherished symbols. When he's not researching the fascinating history of Old Glory, you can find Barry volunteering at veterans' events, coaching youth baseball, or exploring America's national parks with his family. A firm believer in supporting American manufacturing and small businesses, Barry is passionate about celebrating the craftspeople who keep American traditions alive. He lives with his wife and two children in a home where the American flag flies proudly every day. Favorite quote: "Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction." - Ronald Reagan
