Abstract: The failure characteristics of aircraft coatings for protection, decoration and new special functions were analyzed, and 10 common macroscopic failure features and related latent failure features of aircraft coatings were classified, including bubbling, cracking and color change. These features have both commonness and particularity. The failure features of new functional coatings were analyzed in detail. The reasons of these failure features were analyzed, and judgement and prevention methods for them were put forward. The harmness of latent failure in practical application was emphasized through experimental verification of the performance degradation of coatings after latent failure. Finally, the future research on the failure of relevant new coatings was prospected. This review will play a guiding role in preventing the failure of coatings on aircraft surface.