United Airlines – Hawaii

United Airlines – Hawaii United Vacations Summer 1985 – Vintage travel poster by Pegge Hopper

This vintage travel poster, ‘Hawaii – United Vacations’, from the summer of 1985 combines the allure of exotic destinations with the distinctive visual style of the American artist Pegge Hopper. Designed for United Airlines and United Vacations, the motif embodies the classic aesthetic of 1980s travel advertising and conveys the unique atmosphere of the Hawaiian islands.

Pegge Hopper’s work is closely linked to Hawaii. Her characteristic style is characterised by clear forms, expressive colours and a minimalist, elegant depiction of people and landscapes. The visual language, inspired by the tropical surroundings, lends her works a timeless tranquillity and combines traditional Hawaiian motifs with modern American graphic design.

The poster was created as part of the 1985 summer campaign for United Vacations, the travel division of United Airlines. At a time when large-format travel posters were a key advertising medium, such designs evoked a longing for faraway places and the promise of a special holiday experience. The collaboration between an internationally renowned airline and a Hawaii-based artist makes the poster an interesting testament to American travel and advertising history.

Measuring 50 × 60 cm, the poster has an attractive landscape format. Its artistic design and historical connection to Hawaii make it a decorative piece for homes, offices and collections of historical travel posters. The design holds particular appeal for enthusiasts of classic aviation advertising and American vintage graphics.

The United Airlines Hawaii poster from 1985 on offer is in excellent condition (Category A). 

Product details

• Artist: Pegge Hopper
• Title: Hawaii – United Vacations Summer 1985
• Product type: Vintage travel poster / advertising poster
• Client / Brand: United Airlines / United Vacations
• Year of creation: 1985
• Period: 1980s
• Motif / Destination: Hawaii
• Theme: Aviation, travel and tourism
• Style: American vintage travel graphics
• Technique: Print / poster print, exact technique not specified
• Material: Paper, exact paper quality not specified
• Dimensions (H × W × D): Approx. 50 × 60 cm, paper thickness not specified
• Orientation: Landscape
• Condition: A – excellent
• Contents: One vintage travel poster
• Special features: Historic United Vacations motif from 1985, designed by Pegge Hopper
• Collectors’ categories: Historic travel posters, aviation advertising, Hawaii and American advertising graphics

About Pegge Hopper and United Airlines’ travel advertising

Pegge Hopper is an American artist whose work became particularly well known for its connection to the Hawaiian islands. Following her training in art and design, she developed a distinctive visual language characterised by elegant figures, simplified forms and harmonious colour compositions. Her works frequently draw on the people, landscapes and cultural influences of Hawaii.

Hopper became particularly well known for her stylised depictions of women and her Hawaii-inspired compositions. The combination of modern graphic design and a tropical atmosphere gives her works a high degree of recognisability. In addition to her independent artistic work, she was also active in the field of commercial design.

United Airlines is one of America’s long-established airlines and has played a key role over the decades in promoting tourism to popular destinations. Historical advertising posters, such as the ‘Hawaii – United Vacations Summer 1985’ design, document the evolution of travel advertising and demonstrate how art and graphic design were used to convey the allure of faraway destinations.