What Is Your Favorite Defunct Airline

austinairport · Thu Aug 23, 2007 12:37 pm

I was just thinking about all the crazy ideas people threw together and called it an airline. Maybe these aren't your favorites but which one is. And if you like broaden that to the one defunct airline you absolutely can stand. My favorite is Braniff. Please feel free to share.
THanks,
Garrett

LaminarFlow · Thu Aug 23, 2007 12:53 pm

Interesting topic idea. I would have to choose Jetsgo. Horrible from a business standpoint, but great fleet.

itsnotfinals · Thu Aug 23, 2007 12:54 pm

Independence Air while they lasted. They had friendly staff and a cool brand with the announcements and hot towels on even short flights. their IAD terminal A was very well done and their kiosks were easy to use. I even managed to earn and use a free ticket on them in their short existence. The planes were always 1/2 empty so the seat next to you was almost always open, and their paint scheme was very good too!

https://www.airliners.net/open.file?i...42&prev_id=0792029&next_id=0790888

https://www.airliners.net/open.file?i...46&prev_id=0790175&next_id=0789094

[Edited 2007-08-23 05:56:14]

Analog · Thu Aug 23, 2007 1:06 pm

Quoting AustinAirport (Thread starter):
And if you like broaden that to the one defunct airline you absolutely can stand.

There are lots of defunct airlines that I could stand. Perhaps you mean can't (or couldn't)?

sandrozrh · Thu Aug 23, 2007 1:41 pm

Is this a question?

Swissair forever bigthumbsup

Quoting Analog (Reply 3):

There are lots of defunct airlines that I could stand. Perhaps you mean can't (or couldn't)?

Did you read the title of the thread? Wink

LaminarFlow · Thu Aug 23, 2007 1:56 pm

I think that we need pictures in this thread.

View Large View Medium
Click here for bigger photo!

Photo © John Kelley

austinairport · Thu Aug 23, 2007 2:09 pm

Quoting Analog (Reply 3):
There are lots of defunct airlines that I could stand. Perhaps you mean can't (or couldn't)?

My Bad I swear I have to say that all the time. Wink

YYZflyer · Thu Aug 23, 2007 2:32 pm

Without a doubt:
View Large View Medium
Click here for bigger photo!

Photo © Oliver Brunke

Smile

zululima · Thu Aug 23, 2007 4:01 pm

The only defunct airline I've actually flown is TWA. The airlines I would most like to see revived are Eastern and Pan Am (must be something about that white and blue). My favorite, however would be one I remember spotting as a child in STL, Ozark.

jetfuel · Thu Aug 23, 2007 4:46 pm

Ansett. There was something very special about Ansett

RAFVC10 · Thu Aug 23, 2007 5:42 pm

Various airlines...

View Large View Medium
Click here for bigger photo!

Photo © Jacko

View Large View Medium
Click here for bigger photo!

Photo © Snorre - VAP

(...)

Regards,

Gerard

TruemanQLD · Thu Aug 23, 2007 7:01 pm

I have a couple:
1. Australian Airlines (In proper livery etc)
2. Canadian
3.Swiss
4.Compass
5.Ansett

helvknight · Thu Aug 23, 2007 7:49 pm

Quoting SandroZRH (Reply 4):
Swissair forever bigthumbsup

Agree totally.

Quoting TruemanQLD (Reply 11):
3.Swiss

They're still very much with us, you mean Swissair.

EWRandMDW · Thu Aug 23, 2007 8:50 pm

Piedmont. A wonderful carrier ruined by USAir.

YULYMX · Thu Aug 23, 2007 9:59 pm

I am missing WARDAIR for there Wide body and excellent services for a charter...food was great and serve in real plates

N231YE · Thu Aug 23, 2007 11:03 pm

I never flew on them, but the old classics: Pan Am and TWA.

Pan Am was gone when I was a toddler, however, I remember going to STL back in the mid -90s and seeing all the tails of TWA. When I think of the glory days of aviation and of international jet travel (the glamorous 60s) , TWA and/or Pan Am comes to mind.

I never really fell into what Eastern, National, and Braniff were about, but equally good candidates.

a380us · Thu Aug 23, 2007 11:40 pm

tower air

Just kidding
id have to say TWA

AllegiantAir · Fri Aug 24, 2007 12:17 am

Reno Air was a cool little airline.

View Large View Medium
Click here for bigger photo!

Photo © Dsavit

dtwclipper · Fri Aug 24, 2007 12:33 am

http://www.nya-reunion.org/photos.htm

OceansWorld · Fri Aug 24, 2007 2:32 am

Pan Am

Canadian Airlines International

British Caledonian Airways

Ansett Australia

Braniff International

[Edited 2007-08-23 19:35:11]

WestJetYQQ · Fri Aug 24, 2007 2:40 am

Quoting LaminarFlow (Reply 1):
I would have to choose Jetsgo. Horrible from a business standpoint, but great fleet.

Jetsgo is up there for me.

But, I'm going to say Canada3000. They were a great success until 9/11. I really loved their fleet too.

Honorable Mention:

Canadian
Roots Air
Harmony Airways

Cheers
Carson

EISHN · Fri Aug 24, 2007 6:04 am

The Aer Lingus before it went all low cost. Bernie Cahill kn ew how to run an airline bless him.

dfwmzuri · Fri Aug 24, 2007 6:17 am

Quoting N231YE (Reply 15):
I never flew on them, but the old classics: Pan Am and TWA.

I have flown them both, and I miss both. I loved the Pan Am around the world fare back in the late 70's.

cofannyc · Fri Aug 24, 2007 7:51 am

I really do miss Independence Air. They were fantastic while they were around. I flew them at least 8 times between IAD and MHT and never sat next to anyone (I guess I should have seen the writing on the wall). But the crews were fabulous, the service good and comfortable and the prices were good for a college kid.

Also Swissair was the carrier for my first ever transatlantic flight. I was pretty young but I remember nothing but good things. I still have the Swissair MD-11 safety card.

ShannoninAMA · Fri Aug 24, 2007 8:34 am

No question...

View Large View Medium
Click here for bigger photo!

Photo © The Douglas Aircraft Company (Jammy Lee)

View Large View Medium
Click here for bigger photo!

Photo © Lawrence Feir

View Large View Medium
Click here for bigger photo!

Photo © Ken Rose

And My favorite defunct airline's terminal Wink

View Large View Medium
Click here for bigger photo!

Photo © Carlos Borda

National757 · Fri Aug 24, 2007 9:34 am

National Airlines (N7) out of Las Vegas, NV. Had the pleasure of flying National a few times to ORD and had very pleasant flight crews. Now I have the pleasure of having Ex N7 employees as coworkers that continue the can-do spirit of National Airlines to this day.

National Airlines: Gone but never forgotten!

View Large View Medium
Click here for bigger photo!

Photo © Plane Photo

View Large View Medium
Click here for bigger photo!

Photo © Adrian falconer

View Large View Medium
Click here for bigger photo!

Photo © Royal S King

LTU932 · Fri Aug 24, 2007 9:58 am

Mine are: Pan American World Airways (Pan Am) and Líneas Aéreas Costarricences S.A. (LACSA).

I know LR still exists, but it only exists on paper (as a code and a callsign, basically TA with a different name) because otherwise, TA may not take advantage of the traffic rights to certain destinations in and out of Costa Rica (probably also the reason why in Guatemala and for traffic rights in and out of GUA for certain destinations, TA resurrected the GU code and callsign). I'm sure if it was for TA, they would have ditched the LR brand for good years ago, just like they probably did with 6Y before they shut down.

Today's LR is nothing but a shadow of the old and more respected pre-merger LR which proudly displayed the Costa Rican flag and earlier the traditional coloured mule cart wheel on its tail and was the first airline in Central America to usher in the jet age for the entire region by acquiring the BAC 1-11 and to introduce the A320.

a380us · Fri Aug 24, 2007 11:43 am

does varig count?????

WesternA318 · Fri Aug 24, 2007 1:35 pm

Quoting AllegiantAir (Reply 17):
Reno Air was a cool little airline

Too true...and heres some of mine...

Big version: Width: 640 Height: 436 File size: 106kb

Can't have a history of the A310 without mentioning Pan Am and their major Airbus order...

Big version: Width: 640 Height: 439 File size: 55kb

The original LCC!

Big version: Width: 640 Height: 460 File size: 90kb

Simply stunning...

Big version: Width: 640 Height: 439 File size: 102kb

Thunder from Down Under!

Big version: Width: 640 Height: 435 File size: 123kb

And an A300 from the "dark continent"

Big version: Width: 640 Height: 438 File size: 82kb

The 1st major North American customer...

Big version: Width: 640 Height: 456 File size: 69kb

A BEAUTIFUL plane in beautiful colors, with a grand airline...

Big version: Width: 640 Height: 443 File size: 96kb

Too bad these didnt become the regular equipment to SLC...

Big version: Width: 640 Height: 415 File size: 76kb

I always thought this was the nicest 733 scheme ever

Big version: Width: 640 Height: 447 File size: 94kb

*Sigh* I miss this scene in SLC...

Big version: Width: 640 Height: 400 File size: 68kb

Central America's most BEAUTIFUL 727-100.

Big version: Width: 640 Height: 409 File size: 52kb

My first Airline...to fly on and to work for

fxramper · Fri Aug 24, 2007 4:12 pm

Braniff.

Gammagirl · Fri Aug 24, 2007 6:38 pm

Have fond memories of this airline as a kid - I remember being disappointed to get a gold plane rather than the pink one I had seen in the holiday brochure!

View Large View Medium
Click here for bigger photo!

Photo © Peter Seemann

View Large View Medium
Click here for bigger photo!

Photo © Peter Seemann

DesertAir · Fri Aug 24, 2007 8:46 pm

Quoting EWRandMDW (Reply 13):
Piedmont. A wonderful carrier ruined by USAir.

PSA was an all time great airline. I loved those smileliners. Another airline ruined by US Air.

isitsafenow · Fri Aug 24, 2007 9:41 pm

Braniff...and not those imitations of the mid 80's and early 90's
TWA......twin globes thankyouverymuch
Piedmont...nice airline that just "plane" got it done
Pan AM....I miss those blue and white birds

and or course....
HERMAN THE BLUE GOOSE........................
========================================================
WILL MISS

America West....I dont know why.........
safe
. cry

CXfirst · Fri Aug 24, 2007 11:41 pm

Quoting Jetfuel (Reply 9):
Ansett. There was something very special about Ansett

Agree so much, such a great way to fly (and to get star alliance status Big grin

)

-CXfirst

CitrusCritter · Sat Aug 25, 2007 6:25 am

dc863 · Sat Aug 25, 2007 8:04 am

National - the original not the upstart one from Vegas
BEA
BOAC
Braniff
Southern
Eastern
Texas International
Hawaii Express
PSA
Air Cal

shamrock350 · Sat Aug 25, 2007 8:51 am

JetMagic

View Large View Medium
Click here for bigger photo!

AirCop · Sat Aug 25, 2007 11:49 am

AirCal and PSA for fun inexpensive trips on the west coast.
North Central, has to be the best regional airline (pre-1978 deregulation) there was in the US.

NWADC9 · Sat Aug 25, 2007 12:39 pm

View Large View Medium
Click here for bigger photo!

austinairport · Sat Aug 25, 2007 2:27 pm

Quoting NWADC9 (Reply 38):
Need I say more?

Please do go on. Wink

WesternA318 · Sun Aug 26, 2007 1:57 am

Quoting AirCop (Reply 37):
AirCal and PSA for fun inexpensive trips on the west coast.

FlyboyOz · Sun Aug 26, 2007 8:00 am

ANSETT AUSTRALIA!! I love that airline
Canadian Airlines' old livery

shuggie · Sun Aug 26, 2007 8:25 am

Quoting Dc863 (Reply 35):
BEA
BOAC

To be fair, BEA and BOAC aren't exactly defunct, they just merged to form BA

exFATboy · Sun Aug 26, 2007 8:52 am

Quoting EWRandMDW (Reply 13):
Piedmont. A wonderful carrier ruined by USAir.

And speaking of carriers ruined by US Air...

View Large View Medium
Click here for bigger photo!

deltal1011man · Sun Aug 26, 2007 9:54 am

TWA flew on(right before the AA buy out)
Pan Am (never hand the chance but have been in WorldPort)
Eastern (never got to fly EA went out to 2 months before i was born)
Valujet(ATL-MCO all the time)
Delta Express(TPA-MCO miss that one)
Piedmont(dam US)
Western(but i am glad DL has the SLC hub and T5 at LAX)
Both western and PA i do miss but i am happy they helped form my favorite Air Line(FLY DELTA JETS with service to CDG from SLC)

andz · Sun Aug 26, 2007 3:31 pm

Flitestar. They were one of several unsuccessful airlines on the South African domestic scene. They had a fleet of brand new A320s (the first operator of this type in Africa) and ATR-72s and provided a good alternative to SAA, but sadly went the way of so many pretenders in this market due to SAA dirty tricks.

http://sa-transport.co.za/aircraft/flitestar.html

HAWK21M · Sun Aug 26, 2007 8:10 pm

One of the Best.
regds
MEL

falstaff · Mon Aug 27, 2007 11:20 am

Quoting ZuluLima (Reply 8):
The only defunct airline I've actually flown is TWA. The airlines I would most like to see revived are Eastern and Pan Am (must be something about that white and blue). My favorite, however would be one I remember spotting as a child in STL, Ozark.

TWA is my favorite with Ozark a close second. The first time I remember flying was a Ozark DC-9 SGF-STL in 1979. I flew on TWA freqeantly up until the end. Being that I travel to STL a lot it was an easy choice. Today I fly NWA exclusivly.

I have flown on a number of defunct carriers. I traveled a lot with my parents when I was younger and have some found memories of: TWA, Ozark, PSA, Eastern, Frontier, Aspen, Republic, and Piedmont.

diesel1 · Wed Aug 29, 2007 6:06 am

Since Dan Air has already been mentioned....

A couple of local ones to me of which I have good memories.

View Large View Medium
Click here for bigger photo!

The UK charter airline business was more colourful then, then it is now.

WesternA318 · Wed Aug 29, 2007 1:09 pm

Quoting Diesel1 (Reply 48):
The UK charter airline business was more colourful then, then it is now.

Here here! I had the opportunity to fly on Airways Int'l Cymru once...a lovely little trip, forgot the routing though, its been so long!

Who is online

Popular Searches On Airliners.net