Originally Posted by Swiss Tony
OK, I've stayed quiet on this point for two whole years, but now feel the need to say something!
Why oh why do so many people (and they all seem to come from the same part of the world) feel obliged to call every airline xxx Air
I've seen "British Air" more times than I care to remember, but clearly this isn't the only carrier that's routinely named incorrectly on this board.
Just now, I've seen someone calling EK "Emirates Air"
Tell ya what! I'll start peppering my posts with reference to United Air, Continental Air and US Air Air (while it lasts
)
Speaking of the American examples of airlines that you mentioned, the airlines themselves have dropped just recently the Air from their official names. A good example is US Airways (this is the correct name of this company since 1997) previously it was callled US Air. Also Delta Air Lines now likes to be called only Delta. I think the marketing department is responsible for this. Northwest or NWA was called Northwest Orient (airlines?) in a previous life. British Midland Airways is now just called BMI.
There has been a gradual dropping of the Air or Airways from certain air travel companies. I think the public is confused because the marketing folks change more than paint every ten years. In Switzerland I think the change was as follows -- Swissair went out of business, was taken over by Crossair and then renamed Swiss without the "air" - this all gets very confusing for everyone.