Move Back
![TWA]()
Trans World Airlines (TWA) became one of the world's all-jet airlines and one of the largest domestic U.S. airlines to major domestic cities. The airline is remembered for its devastating flight 800, which exploded over the Atlantic Ocean near Long Island, killing all 230 on board in 1996. The media focused coverage that TWA's planes were among the oldest in service. TWA was later acquired by American Airlines in 2001.![National Airlines]()
National Airlines was the first carrier to introduce the domestic jet to the U.S., with a flight between Miami's international airport and Idewild international airport in New York. National was promoted in the media as the 'airline of the stars' and had a popular 'fly me' campaign in the 1970s, featuring female flight attendants. The airline was acquired by Pan Am in 1980. Its 'sun king' logo was sold and appeared on branding of Southeast Airlines aircraft.![Pan Am Airlines]()
Pan American World Airways was an innovative airline, the first that utilized jets, jumbo jets and computerized reservation systems. Pan Am was unofficially the flag carrier of the U.S., widely known for its blue globe logo. The Gulf War seized transatlantic air traffic and in 1990, Pan Am sold its London Heathrow routes to United Airlines. By 1991, the airline declared bankruptcy with Delta Air Lines purchasing the remaining profitable assets.![Hooters Air]()
Hooters Air was created in 2003 as an unconventional means of raising awareness to its flagship restaurant brand. The planes were referred to as a 'flying billboard,' and had 'hooters girls' dressed in skimpy restaurant uniforms, on flight. The airline closed in 2006, blaming fuel costs in the wake of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.![Frontier]()
Frontier Airlines was born out of a merger of Arizona Airwaves, Challenger Airlines and Monarch Airlines on June 1, 1950. It was the first commercial airline to have a female pilot and a black pilot. In 1986, Continental Airlines bought Frontier Airlines. Final bankruptcy ended on May 31, 1990, exactly 40 years after it was formed.![ValuJet]()
ValuJet was the fastest airline in American aviation history to make a profit, earning $21 million in 1994. Led by a group of industry veterans, the airline became successful by keeping costs low with among the oldest plane fleets in the country. In May, 1996, ValuJet flight 592 crashed, killing all aboard. The FAA shut them down after discovering numerous systematic flaws. In September, ValuJet resumed flying with 15 jets. In 1997, ValuJet merged with Airways Corporation, and retained the name AirTran.![Midway]()
Established in 1976, Midway was intended to rebirth the Chicago Midway International Airport, which lost most flights to O'Hare. Despite being a popular airline known for friendly employees and good service, Midway declared bankruptcy in 1991. It blamed rising fuel prices during the Gulf War.![Aloha]()
Aloha airlines was founded as a charter carrier, in competitor to Hawaiian Airlines. It adopted its nickname 'aloha' and officially renamed itself the Aloha Airline in 1958. The airline declared bankruptcy in 2004 to try in attempt to cut costs and remain competitive. It blamed high fuel prices and September 11 on their financial problems. Aloha shut down its passenger services on March 31, 2008.![TransAmerica]()
Transamerica was born in 1947, becoming the first charter airline to operate jets with its Douglad DC-8 and Boeing 727. Following the commercial success of the novel "Roots," TransAmerica flew specific charter flights between New York and Africa, known as the "Roots" program. The airline dissolved in 1986, after its parent corporation found it more profitable to sell the airline in pieces and parts then to a buyer.![Western_Airlines]()
Western Airlines was among the first airlines to have a contract to carry air mail throughout the country in 1925. The airline expanded after World War II, but its president felt the current administration was hindering its potential growth. In a famous call to the president, Western's chief Harvey Drinkwater urged Eisenhower to 'buy American made aircraft.' In 1967, Western merged with Pacific Northern Airlines. In 1987, it merged with Delta Airlines![Air Florida Airlines]()
Air Florida was a low-cost carrier based out of Miami International Airport. It was best known for attractive flight attendants and four-star cuisine. Its Flight 90 crashed into Washington D.C.'s 14th Street Bridge, killing 78 on board. The crash was blamed on anti-icing system being left on -- an event that later led the FAA to regulate de-icing procedures at airports. Air Florida was later bought by Western Airlines, and later Delta. It filed for bankruptcy in 1984.![Braniff]()
Braniff Airlines was founded in 1928 and was purchased by what would become today's American Airlines. Until 1978, Braniff remained one of the fastest-growing airlines in the country. However, deregulation left the company weak with huge plane flying nearly empty. Braniff declared bankruptcy in 1982, ending 54 years of service.![Carnival]()
Carnival Air Lines was created in 1988 as an air division to the company's cruise lines. The low-cost airline was the rebirth of Pacific Interstate Airlines. After numerous name changes, from Fun Air to Bahamas Express, Carnival Air Lines began flying from Miami in 1989. Pan Am bought Carnival in 1997, to expand its fleet and operations. In 2004, it was transferred to Boston-Maine Airways.![Eastern Airlines]()
Eastern Airlines began in 1926, after it won a government contract to fly mail between New York and Atlanta, Georgia. In 1938, it was purchased by a WWI pilot and it expanded up until the jet age. Eastern became the official airline of Disney World just before it opened in 1971. The amusement park had a ride dedicated to the airline. In 1978, Eastern became an all-jet fleet, but the deregulation act forced the airline into a competitive low-fare environment. In 1988, the airline laid off thousands of employees and the company sold its shuttle service to Donald Trump, under whom it became the Trump Shuttle. The airline shut down in 1991. There have been plans to restart the airline in Philadelphia.![IndependenceAir]()
Independence Air was introduced in 1989 as a low-cost airline, focused on the east coast. Independence received criticism for its low-cost fares, with some believing it expanded too quickly with a bad fleet to compete with larger airlines. In 2004, the company tried a marketing campaign toward college students to help financial problems. However its $250 promotional fare was part of the airline losing almost $150 million. Other campaigns also failed, such as the investment of promotional vehicles called "jet trucks" that were painted like planes. In 2006, Northwest bought Independence for $2 million to establish a new regional airline.![New York Air]()
New York Air became the challenger to the expensive Eastern Airlines Shuttle, and provided cheaper and frequent flights between New York, Boston, and Washington. It employed over 2,000 people before it was combined with Continental Airlines in 1986. Their trademarked image disappeared as the fleet took the Continental images.![People_Express]()
PeopleExpress Airlines was a no-frills airline that operated from 1981 to 1987, headquarters in the Newark International Airport. Flight fares averaged at $149 each way, and the airline was the first to charge for checked bags. In addition, PeopleExpress charged customers for food or beverages. It sold itself to Texas Air Corp for $125 million, after falling into debt and failing to lure customers with higher prices.![Trump_Air]()
Trump Air was a business venture launched as a luxury service to further market the Trump brand. The planes, purchased from Eastern Air Lines, were painted white and were decorated lavishly inside, with a maple wood and chrome interior. The airline never turned a profit and with high debt and the anticipation of the Gulf War, Donald Trump was unable to sell the planes. In 1997, U.S. Airways purchased the company. It still operated under the U.S. Airways Shuttle name.Shuttered Airlines
These airlines couldn't keep their wings above the sky.
Move Forward
- Shuttered Airlines
