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Old Timer's Airline Quiz and Discussion.

Old Timer's Airline Quiz and Discussion.

Old Nov 18, 2011, 9:32 pm
  #1  
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Old Timer's Airline Quiz and Discussion.

The BBC's quiz on the early days of commercial jet aviation inspired me to finally take a stab at posting this quiz I put together for an airline collectibles convention a few years ago. While I know the answers to all of these questions off the top of my head, a lifetime of collecting postcards, brochures and advertisements makes the answer to all these questions common knowledge to me and others of my ilk.

Truth be known, unless you're at least 40 or 50 years old, you may not know the answers to these questions, much less even care. Still, what the heck, I'll post the questions and they can either be ignored or be something for some of you to have a bit of fun with.

As to the answers, how about I post them here next week. If any of you want to play along, consider compiling your answers off this thread, using it only for commentary or for more questions until I post the answers.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

1. What airline launched 707 service within the U.S.?
2. What airline flew The Great Silver Fleet?
3. Name six US airlines that flew the Boeing 720
4. Which airline was the launch customer for the 727?
5. What year did the 747 enter service?
6. Everyone knows AA, NW, PA, UA & TW flew the 747. Name five other non-cargo US airlines that also did
7. What airline’s ads proclaimed it to be “The Only Way To Fly”?
8. Name three US airlines that flew the 737-100
9. What three airlines merged to form Republic Airlines in 1979?
10. What airline’s 727s and DC-9s were known as “Yellowbirds”?
11. What airline’s airport lounges were known as Ionosphere Clubs?
12. What was the only US airline to offer scheduled air service with the French built Caravelle?
13. What airline offered Ambassador Service on its long distance flights in First Class?
14. What airline’s jets were called “Pacemakers”?
15. Name three US airlines that flew the British built BAC-111?
16. Name four more US airlines that flew the BAC-111
17. What airline offered “Royal Hawaiian Service” on its Hawaii flights?
18. What airline offered piano lounges on its 747s?
19. What year did the 767 enter service? Who was the launch customer?
20. Name six U.S. airlines that flew the Lockheed Electra
21. What airline was the launch customer for the Boeing 727-200?
22. Name five US airlines that flew the Lockheed L-1011
23. What airline’s premium service was known as “Regal Imperial Service”?
24. Name two U.S. airlines that operated the DC-10, 747 and L-1011 and A310
25. What airline currently operates the world’s largest fleet of MD-80s?
26. Name 5 U.S. airlines that flew the Airbus A300
27. What airline’s 727s and DC-9s were known as “Whisperjets”?
28. Name three US airlines that flew the Convair 990
29. What North American airline operated the Comet
30. What airline's jets were once known as Astrojets?
31. What three airlines merged in 1968 to form Air West?
32. Name seven U.S. airlines that flew the standard DC-8 (Series 10-50)
33. Name three U.S. airlines that flew the DC-8-62
34. What airline was famous for “Islander Punch” served from the trolley in a steaming volcano?
35. What major U.S. airline has not changed its livery since 1970?
36. Which airlines’ DC-9s were known as “Pamper Jets”?
37. What type of jet did Bonanza Airlines fly?
38. Which Hawaiian based airline operated the Fokker F-28 jet?
39. Name four airlines named for U.S. cities that operate or operated jet aircraft
40. Name five airlines named for U.S. states that operate or operated jet aircraft
41. What airline flew from LAX and LAS to JFK with luxurious, all First Class DC-8-62s
42. Name four U.S. airlines that offered scheduled service with Convair 880s
43. Name four airlines that flew Boeing 720s between the Continental US and Alaska
44. What airline operated coach lounges called “Polynesian Pubs” aboard its DC-10s?
45. What airline’s 707s were known as “El Dorado Jets”?
46. What airline’s employees bought their airline a new 767-200?
47. What airline’s DC-10s were called “Spaceships”?
48. Name five major US airlines that operated the DC-9-10
49. Name ten regional airlines that operated the DC-9-10
50. Which US airline operated the DC-10-40?
51. What airline flew DC-9s into Santa Fe, New Mexico?
52. What airline flew 737s into Sheridan, Wyoming?
53. What airline flew 707s into Billings, Montana?
54. What airline flew DC-9s into Waterloo, Iowa?
55. What airline flew Convair 580s into Durango, Colorado?
56. What airline flew 720Bs into Sioux Falls, SD?
57. What airline flew BAC-111s into White Plains, New York in 1970?
58. What airline flew Convair 880s between Denver and New York?
59. What airline flew DC-8-62s nonstop between New York and Honolulu?
60. What airline once offered its First Class customers “Gold Coast Service”? On what routes (in general) was this service offered?
61. What airline opened the industry’s first VIP lounge at LaGuardia in 1939?
62. The Sun King logo is associated with what airline?
63. Aside from 737s, what other type of aircraft did Southwest once operate?
64. What was the name of the mallard duck on the tail of North Central Airlines aircraft
65. What two U.S. airlines operated both the Convair 880 and 990?
66. What U.S. airline operated "Executive Special" flights for men only between Chicago and New York?
67. What U.S. airline operated a fleet of L-1011s with a downstairs lounge?
68. What U.S. airline named its jets after Clippers (as in Clipper Mayflower)
69. What U.S. airline inaugurated Concorde flights within the U.S. on January 12, 1979?
70. Name five U.S. airlines that operated L-1011s between the U.S. mainland and Hawaii.
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Last edited by Seat 2A; Aug 10, 2020 at 10:17 pm
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Old Nov 18, 2011, 9:37 pm
  #2  
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Here are the A N S W E R S

1. National, leased from Pan American
2. Eastern Airlines
3. AA, BN, CO, EA, NW, PA, TW, UA
4. Eastern
5. 1970
6. Braniff, Continental, Delta, Eastern, National
7. Western
8. Air Florida, America West, People Express, Continental
9. Air West, North Central and Southern
10. Northeast
11. Eastern
12. United
13. TWA
14. Piedmont
15. American, Allegheny and Braniff
16. Pacific Express, Britt Air, Florida Express, Air Wisconsin, Mohawk, Air Illinois
17. United
18. American
19. 1982, United
20. American, Braniff, Eastern, Northwest, Reeve Aleutian, PSA, Air Florida, Air California
21. Northeast
22. Eastern, Delta, TWA, Hawaiian, ATA, Pan Am, United
23. Northwest
24. Delta, Pan Am
25. American
26. American, Continental, Eastern, Pan American, Carnival, Northeast International
27. Eastern
28. American, Alaska, Northeast
29. Mexicana
30. American
31. Pacific, Bonanza & West Coast
32. Braniff, Delta, Eastern, National, Northwest, Pan American, United
33. Braniff, Hawaiian, United
34. Western
35. American
36. Trans Texas Airways
37. DC-9-10
38. Mid-Pacific Airlines
39. New York Air (DC-9), Air Atlanta (727), Reno Air (DC-9), Miami Air (737), Aspen Airways
40. Air Florida, Air California, Air Wisconsin, Texas International, Alaska Airlines, Air Illinois
41. MGM Grand Air
42. Delta, Northeast, TWA, Alaska
43. Alaska, Northwest, Pacific Northern, Western
44. Continental
45. Braniff
46. Delta
47. Western
48. Continental, Delta, Eastern, Northwest, TWA
49. Allegheny, Bonanza, West Coast, Hughes Air West, Ozark, Southern, Air California, Air Florida, Texas International, Midway, Hawaiian, Sunworld International, Midwest Express, Best
50. Northwest
51. Hughes Airwest
52. Western
53. Northwest
54. Ozark
55. Frontier
56. Western
57. Allegheny
58. TWA
59. Western
60. Alaska
61. American
62. National
63. 727-200
64. Herman
65. Northeast and Alaska
66. United
67. PSA
68. Pan American
69. Braniff
70. Delta, Hawaiian, ATA, TWA

Last edited by Seat 2A; Nov 25, 2011 at 3:08 pm
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Old Nov 19, 2011, 9:05 am
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Without recourse to google etc., here's what I got:

1. What airline launched 707 service within the U.S.?
Got it. Hint: not Panam
2. What airline flew The Great Silver Fleet?
Got it
3. Name six US airlines that flew the Boeing 720
Got 5
4. Which airline was the launch customer for the 727?
Got it
5. What year did the 747 enter service?
Got it
6. Everyone knows AA, NW, PA, UA & TW flew the 747. Name five other non-cargo US airlines that also did
Got it
7. What airlines ads proclaimed it to be The Only Way To Fly?
Got it. Hint: see username
8. Name three US airlines that flew the 737-100
Got 2
9. What three airlines merged to form Republic Airlines in 1979?
Got it
10. What airlines 727s and DC-9s were known as Yellowbirds?
Got it
11. What airlines airport lounges were known as Ionosphere Clubs?
Got it
12. What was the only US airline to offer scheduled air service with the French built Caravelle?
Got it
13. What airline offered Ambassador Service on its long distance flights in First Class?
Got it
14. What airlines jets were called Pacemakers?
Got it
15. Name three US airlines that flew the British built BAC-111?
Got it
16. Name four more US airlines that flew the BAC-111
Got it, although they were mostly the same airplanes as 15
17. What airline offered Royal Hawaiian Service on its Hawaii flights?
No idea, I'd have to guess
18. What airline offered piano lounges on its 747s?
Got it. I sat in one
19. What year did the 767 enter service? Who was the launch customer?
Got it, got it
20. Name six U.S. airlines that flew the Lockheed Electra
Got it
21. What airline was the launch customer for the Boeing 727-200?
A guess
22. Name five US airlines that flew the Lockheed L-1011
Got it
23. What airlines premium service was known as Regal Imperial Service?
No idea
24. Name two U.S. airlines that operated the DC-10, 747 and L-1011 and A310
Got it
25. What airline currently operates the worlds largest fleet of MD-80s?
Got it
26. Name 5 U.S. airlines that flew the Airbus A300
Got 4 not counting FX and UP
27. What airlines 727s and DC-9s were known as Whisperjets?
Got it
28. Name three US airlines that flew the Convair 990
Got 2 excluding 'travel clubs'
29. What North American airline operated the Comet
There were 2
30. What airline's jets were once known as Astrojets?
Got it
31. What three airlines merged in 1968 to form Air West?
Got it
32. Name seven U.S. airlines that flew the standard DC-8 (Series 10-50)
Got it
33. Name three U.S. airlines that flew the DC-8-62
Got it if you include non-sched
34. What airline was famous for Islander Punch served from the trolley in a steaming volcano?
Got it
35. What major U.S. airline has not changed its livery since 1970?
Got it
36. Which airlines DC-9s were known as Pamper Jets?
Oooh I know I know this
37. What type of jet did Bonanza Airlines fly?
Got it
38. Which Hawaiian based airline operated the Fokker F-28 jet?
No idea
39. Name four airlines named for U.S. cities that operate or operated jet aircraft
Do airports count ?
40. Name five airlines named for U.S. states that operate or operated jet aircraft
Got it, although one is the same as in 39
41. What airline flew from LAX and LAS to JFK with luxurious, all First Class DC-8-62s
Got it
42. Name four U.S. airlines that offered scheduled service with Convair 880s
Got it
43. Name four airlines that flew Boeing 720s between the Continental US and Alaska
Got 3,4 if Aeroamerica qualifies as an 'airline'
44. What airline operated coach lounges called Polynesian Pubs aboard its DC-10s?
Got it
45. What airlines 707s were known as El Dorado Jets?
Got it
46. What airlines employees bought their airline a new 767-200?
Got it - "Spirit of xxxxx"
47. What airlines DC-10s were called Spaceships?
Got it
48. Name five major US airlines that operated the DC-9-10
Got it
49. Name ten regional airlines that operated the DC-9-10
Only 8
50. Which US airline operated the DC-10-40?
Got it
51. What airline flew DC-9s into Page, Arizona?
Got it - dum diddy diddy dum
52. What airline flew 737s into Sheridan, Wyoming?
Got it
53. What airline flew 707s into Billings, Montana?
Guess
54. What airline flew DC-9s into Waterloo, Iowa?
Got it
55. What airline flew Convair 580s into Durango, Colorado?
Got it
56. What airline flew 720Bs into Sioux Falls, SD?
Got it - been there
57. What airline flew BAC-111s into White Plains, New York in 1970?
Got it
58. What airline flew Convair 880s between Denver and New York?
Hmmm ?
59. What airline flew DC-8-62s nonstop between New York and Honolulu?
Got it
60. What airline offered its First Class customers Gold Coast Service on West Coast routes?
Got it - and very nice it was too
61. What airline opened the industrys first VIP lounge at LaGuardia in 1939?
Have to guess
62. The Sun King logo is associated with what airline?
Got it
63. Aside from 737s, what other type of aircraft did Southwest once operate?
Got it, there were 2
64. What was the name of the mallard duck on the tail of North Central Airlines aircraft
Got it
65. What two U.S. airlines operated both the Convair 880 and 990?
Got 1
66. What U.S. airline operated "Executive Special" flights for men only between Chicago and New York?
Got it - see 12
67. What U.S. airline operated a fleet of L-1011s with a downstairs lounge?
Got it
68. What U.S. airline named its jets after Clippers (as in Clipper Mayflower)
Got it
69. What U.S. airline inaugurated Concorde flights within the U.S. on January 12, 1979?
Got it
70. What three U.S. airlines operated L-1011s between the U.S. mainland and Hawaii?
Got it
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Old Nov 19, 2011, 11:28 am
  #4  
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Good job, Wally. It was tempting to ask things like Which U.S. airline was famous for its Hunt Breakfast flights or What was the first U.S. airline to serve Canada, Alaska, Mexico and Hawaii?. Do you remember the brand of complimentary champagne your airline used to serve? It wasn't very good but it was free.

As to answers, I don't count the cargo airlines or non-scheduled carriers such as Universal or ONA. We're only dealing with airlines that offered scheduled flights.

I remember AeroAmerica running scheduled service with 720s between BFI and GEG, but they never operated them up to Alaska unless it was a charter.

Alot of folks forget about obscure airlines that operated scheduled domestic service back in the 70s and 80s. Regular perusal of the OAG would yield all manner of gems in the early days of deregulation For example, for a short time back in the late 70s, Mackey International operated DC-8-51s between FLL and LAS. I was ticketed aboard an Arrow Air DC-8-62 once operting schedulked service (1985) between MIA and MCO. Sadly I missed that flight and never rescheduled.

Here's a bonus, just sitting here thinking off the top of my head: Name six U.S. airlines that operated the Fokker F.28-1000.
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Old Nov 19, 2011, 2:17 pm
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Originally Posted by Seat 2A
Here's a bonus, just sitting here thinking off the top of my head: Name six U.S. airlines that operated the Fokker F.28-1000.
I only remember 3 with F.28-1000, 3 more with F.28-4000.
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Old Nov 19, 2011, 4:25 pm
  #6  
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Originally Posted by Wally Bird
I only remember 3 with F.28-1000, 3 more with F.28-4000.
You're right - I should have said just F28 and not put the 1000 on there. Good call! I think the -4000 was only marginally longer and looked almost identical. I can think of seven U.S. F28 operators for sure.

Altair, Mid-Pacific, US Air, Pilgrim Airlines, Piedmont, Horizon and Empire

There was one more that operated between SLC and LAS amongst other routes back in the 90s. I can picture the plane, silver/grey fuselage with dark blue logo but can't quite think of the airline name. I know I've got a postcard of it but my postcards are in storage. Any help?
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Old Nov 19, 2011, 8:05 pm
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Originally Posted by Seat 2A
There was one more that operated between SLC and LAS amongst other routes back in the 90s. I can picture the plane, silver/grey fuselage with dark blue logo but can't quite think of the airline name. I know I've got a postcard of it but my postcards are in storage. Any help?
Air 21.
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Old Nov 19, 2011, 8:33 pm
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Legend Air operated an F28 between Dal and Lax
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Old Nov 20, 2011, 8:06 am
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Originally Posted by dlflyer2
Legend Air operated an F28 between Dal and Lax
Don't think so - all DC9-32s. American did compete with downsized (Wright Amendment) F100s on the same route.

Although the F100's designation (F28-0100) suggests it is an F28, it isn't any more than an MD-80 (DC9-80) is a DC-9. For our purposes anyway.
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Old Nov 20, 2011, 12:54 pm
  #10  
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Wally, you claim there were two North American airlines that operated the Comet. Are we talking about CP? I know they ordered it, and maybe even took delivery of one but I was pretty sure they never flew a revenue service with one.
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Old Nov 20, 2011, 2:48 pm
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Originally Posted by Seat 2A
Wally, you claim there were two North American airlines that operated the Comet. Are we talking about CP? I know they ordered it, and maybe even took delivery of one but I was pretty sure they never flew a revenue service with one.
No they didn't so under the revised category of operated it doesn't count.

They took delivery of two CF-CUM and CUN the second of which crashed at Karachi on delivery. The first one was still in England and was sold to BOAC.
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Old Nov 20, 2011, 3:41 pm
  #12  
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Originally Posted by Wally Bird
29. What North American airline operated the Comet
There were 2
Revised? Wish I'd been old enough to have flown aboard one. Well actually, I was but my allowance wouldn't have permitted it.

Here are a couple of trip reports from flights I took back in the 1970s

DENVER TO HONOLULU VIA CANADA IN 1976 (On a trip that was supposed to go to Mexico!)

DENVER TO ALASKA ROUNDTRIP via SO, TI, DL, AA, AS, WC, CP, PW and UA
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Old Nov 22, 2011, 2:44 am
  #13  
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Wow this is epic... I failed utterly with answers for about half- and incomplete on lots of them even. But appreciate the time you took to post ^ Quite the quiz and I did catch AS in there a bit
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Old Nov 25, 2011, 3:09 pm
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Answers are now posted in post #2.
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Old Nov 25, 2011, 4:13 pm
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Originally Posted by Seat 2A
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

6. Everyone knows AA, NW, PA, UA & TW flew the 747. Name five other non-cargo US airlines that also did

22. Name five US airlines that flew the Lockheed L-1011
Omissions.

6. Not listed as an answer. PeoplExpress, America West, Transamerica

22. Not listed as an answer. PSA
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