There are several reasons white is the preferred color for commercial aircraft. Let's take a look at them.
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The main reason why aircraft are painted white or light colours is to reflect sunlight and minimise both the heat and any potential damage from solar radiation. According to the CDC during a 3 hour flight passengers are exposed to 3.5 mrem of cosmic radiation, about the same as a chest x-ray.
Narrator: Over the course of a 20- to 30-year life span, commercial planes are completely repainted as often as every seven to 10 years, depending on the size, accumulated flight time, and the climate of the plane's route.
We went on a search for the perfect silver color – which is a silver mica – that mimics the silver polish that our customers and our people love, Vahidi says of the new paint that is going on the planes.
The spraying of airplanes as they land is a tradition known as the “water salute.” As explained by Wikipedia, it's performed for ceremonial purposes, such as the retirement of an airplane. When an airplane makes its final flight, it's honored with the water salute once it lands on the tarmac.