15 Defunct Airlines You Might Not Remember
#31
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: NYS
Programs: Days of Our Lives, General Hospital
Posts: 1,495
Central was the only one that didn't register with me.
Now-gone airlines that I actually flew on: Empire, Wright, Allegheny/US/whatever, Pan Am, TWA, Ozark, Simmons, Continental, People Express, New York Air, Piedmont, Northwest, Midway (first one), Eastern. This doesn't include commuter operators flying under the name of another airline, such as Britt flying as Allegheny Commuter.
The Pan Am flight wasn't TATL or TPAC; it was Frankfurt to Berlin Tempelhof.
Now-gone airlines that I actually flew on: Empire, Wright, Allegheny/US/whatever, Pan Am, TWA, Ozark, Simmons, Continental, People Express, New York Air, Piedmont, Northwest, Midway (first one), Eastern. This doesn't include commuter operators flying under the name of another airline, such as Britt flying as Allegheny Commuter.
The Pan Am flight wasn't TATL or TPAC; it was Frankfurt to Berlin Tempelhof.
#32
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2017
Programs: Rapid Rewards, AAdvantage, SkyMiles
Posts: 2,931
I've heard of all of them, have only flown on US Airways on that list. Have also flown on Delta Express, MetroJet (US Airways LCC), AirTran, and Virgin America, all of which are no longer around.
#35
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: BLI or CLT
Programs: The usual suspects
Posts: 1,899
I remember 13 of them, especially Eastern. I was an official member of the We Hate Eastern Air Lines club and had a WHEAL button to prove it.
I loved US Air when I was PIT based and belonged to Chairman's Preferred, which was the best FF program at that time: I always flew first class with my companion and the upgrade was at no cost, and if I booked 48 hours in advance, no flight was ever sold out. I occasionally sat in the departure area while they off-loaded someone else so I could get on.
I loved US Air when I was PIT based and belonged to Chairman's Preferred, which was the best FF program at that time: I always flew first class with my companion and the upgrade was at no cost, and if I booked 48 hours in advance, no flight was ever sold out. I occasionally sat in the departure area while they off-loaded someone else so I could get on.
#36
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,528
I remember Midwest express. Somehow I was on a Continental Flight from Milwaukee (maybe) to somewhere (was either ALB, DEN, or GJT, I can't remember which, more likely the first two?) and Continental had cancelled the flight and rebooked me on Midwest express. I'm thinking one of those little prop job planes. I was very pleasantly surprised with the "first class" experience. Real plates, silverware, meal, etc.
It was just the one time, plus I was in college so it was an unexpected treat.
It was just the one time, plus I was in college so it was an unexpected treat.
#39
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Olde Dominion
Programs: DL Silver - uh huh!
Posts: 948
Has anyone mentioned ATA (American Trans Airways) yet?
Also Song and Ted - do those count as defunct Airlines?
Of the 15 in the article, I had heard of 12 (all except Central, Carnival, and Mohawk) and flown 5 (Pan Am, Continental, USAirways, Midwest, and Eastern - my first flight).
Among others, besides ATA and Song, I also flew Air Florida, Northwest, Piedmont, America West, and AirTran. Sorry I never got to fly TWA or Braniff.
Also Song and Ted - do those count as defunct Airlines?
Of the 15 in the article, I had heard of 12 (all except Central, Carnival, and Mohawk) and flown 5 (Pan Am, Continental, USAirways, Midwest, and Eastern - my first flight).
Among others, besides ATA and Song, I also flew Air Florida, Northwest, Piedmont, America West, and AirTran. Sorry I never got to fly TWA or Braniff.
#40
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 1999
Programs: FB Silver going for Gold
Posts: 21,792
#41
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Wesley Chapel, FL
Programs: American Airlines
Posts: 29,960
About 12-14 years ago I remember seeing a National Airlines 757 at LAS. Was I losing my mind or in the late 2000's was there (another) reincarnation of this airline?
#42
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: SEA (the REAL Washington); occasionally in the other Washington (DCA area)
Programs: DL PM 1.57MM; AS MVPG 100K
Posts: 21,356
#43
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: ORD/MDW
Programs: BA/AA/AS/B6/WN/ UA/HH/MR and more like 'em but most felicitously & importantly MUCCI
Posts: 19,718
You definitely made reservations on PE (advance reservations for the cheap EWR-LGW 747s used to sell out in minutes) but paid on board. In those pre-Internet, pre-app, pre-kiosk days you had to get on the phone and wait to book, or have your Main Street travel agent run that gauntlet for you. The old Eastern Air-Shuttle (LGA-DCA, LGA-BOS) was no-reservations, walk up and go, hourly service, guaranteed seats (they kept second-section aircraft warmed up and standing by, including Lockheed Electras until the early '70s) but you paid before boarding.
#44
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 597
Air 21 billed itself as the airline of the 21st century. Based out of the Big Raisin (Fresno), it didn't make it out of the 20th century. Pity, because it could take you from FAT to PSP at a decent price.
Also, I miss Presidential, with its 737s and BAe-146's flying from its hub at IAD.
Also, I miss Presidential, with its 737s and BAe-146's flying from its hub at IAD.
#45
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: ORD/MDW
Programs: BA/AA/AS/B6/WN/ UA/HH/MR and more like 'em but most felicitously & importantly MUCCI
Posts: 19,718
Presidential was half a good idea: an Atlantic seaboard regional carrier hubbing at IAD. But with aircraft too big for their missions and no affiliation with other carriers it was doomed from the outset. Those 146s were fun though.