I don't ever remember liking the old livery. And recently it's looked very dated to me. I have many bad memories from around 10 years ago flying 5hrs crosscountry in MD80s that looked like that with out so much inflight music and "bistro" meal service. (That was AA speak for a bag lunch you picked up as you entered the jetway which contained a mini hoge and a brused piece of fruit).
The new livery may not have been the design that I would have picked but I do like it, but I really like the fact that they had the balls to try something new. Something the major airlines in the USA can't bring themselves to do. For the last few decades Delta has had some sort of delta shape, United has had a "U" (some people prefer to call it a "tulip"), and Continental had a globe/circle. Now, post merger, United has an 20 year old globe.
I agree with you flyingnut...I think I like the current colors better...
Below is Boeing 777-223/ER N773AN / 7AD (cn 29583/199) in the current colors. To me, THIS is AMERICAN AIRLINES.
and unfortunately "that" American Airlines is bankrupt.