1
Air 1 1983-1985
Air 1 was the original all 1st class start up, in February 1983. Based in St. Louis, it acquired 12 727s, including 4 200 models before shutdown in January 1985.
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2
Air 1 727-100
N837N, an ex Piedmont 727 is shown on this Mary Jayne's issue.
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3
Air Atlanta 1984-1987
Air Atlanta, as its name implies, was launched in Feb. 1984 as an all first class airline, based in Atlanta. Ultimately 10 727s were operated on routes to 13 different destinations. Growth and reputation was solid, but profits were not and the airline shut down on April 2, 1987
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4
Air Atlanta Map
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5
Air Atlanta 727-100 #1
A nice Air Atlanta issued 727-100 card. Not too common.
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6
Air South 1994-1997
Air South, was launched in 1994, operating a fleet of 10 737-200s based in Columbia SC. Although well received, and initially profitable, the airline shut down in 1997.
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7
Air South (New) 737-200
An excellent Air South issue of one of their 737s
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8
Allegiant 1998-Present
Allegiant was formed in 1997 to operate flights to various destinations from the underserved Fresno airport. Early operations were to Las Vegas, Tahoe, and Burbank, and later Portland and Reno. A chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2000 resulted in the new business model and leadership that remains today. The rest is history, as Allegiant has become a powerful and profitable national airline.
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9
Allegiant DC-9-20
A nice OKC issue of Allegiant's first aircraft, the DC-9-21, Acquired from Valujet.
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10
Allegiant DC-9-50
The only Allegiant issue is this DC-9-51 card.
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11
Allegiant MD-80 #2
A splendid OKC issue of Allegiant's MD-80
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12
Allegiant A-320 voucher
Not a postcard, but an image on an Allegiant travel voucher, showing the New A-320.
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13
America West 1983-2013
One of the great success stories, America West was launched in Phoenix with 3 737-200s in 1983. Some innovative management concepts helped to facilitate it's rapid growth, until ultimately the airline acquired US Air, in 2005, retaining the US Air name. Operating as US Air it continued until the 2013 merger into American.
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14
America West 737-200 #1
An excellent 1985 America West issue. Years later, this aircraft also helped launch another great airline, Westjet.
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15
America West 737-300 #2
Also a 1985 issue of America West's first 737-300.
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16
America West 747-200 #2
An outstanding America West issue of one of their 4 747s.
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America West 757-200 #2
America west began adding 757s in 1987 as shown on this America West issue.
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18
America West A-320 #3 KCF
The 1990s brought a fleet of 67 A-320s to America West.
"Card by courtesy of Kuo- Chi..."
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19
America West A-319 #1 KCF
In the late 1990s, the airline added 39 A-319s to their fleet
"Card by courtesy of Kuo-Chin..."
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20
Best Airlines 1982-1985
Though based at Cincinnati 's airport, Best seemed to be an airline in search of a marketplace. It's first operation was from Buffalo to Albany to Tampa. Briefly it operated a small southern network, but mostly served the Northeast. Investors bailed out in 1985.
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Best 1983
"Image by courtesy of Departe..."
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22
Best 1984
"image by courtesy of Departe..."
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23
Best DC-9-10
An AeroGem Issue of Best's DC-9-15 N2892Q. After service with Best it became the Sun Ship Nevada, serving with start up Sunworld International. It can be seen on the Sunworld card below.
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24
Carnival 1989-1998
Carnival was created by the cruise line in 1988. It soon became a significant operator from the Northeast to Caribbean destinations, with routes extending to Los Angeles. Ultimately had 1350 employees and 25 aircraft before a failed reorganization in 1997 resulted in the collapse of the airline
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25
Carnival 737-400 Map card KCF
A nice oversized Carnival issue showing their 737-400 and their Route Map
"By courtesy of Kuo-Ching Fu"
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26
Carnival 727-200
A Carnival issue of their 727-200.
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27
Carnival A-300
An oversized Carnival issue showing one of their 9 A-300s
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28
Casino Express 1987-2005
In a unique promotional effort, Casino Express was specifically created to carry passengers to Elko, NV casinos from various US cities. From an early fleet of 2 uniquely painted 737-200s, the airline grew to 6 aircraft performing charters for sports teams and other entities. In 2005, it was renamed Xtra Airways, and the Elko flights were shut down.
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29
Casino Express 737-200
A Casino Express issue of their 1st 737 in its distinctive livery
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30
Eastwind Airlines 1995-1999
Eastwind inaugurated services in 1995, using the underserved Trenton Airport as a hub. Operations extended to regional and southern destinations, later refocusing on Greensboro as a hub. The airline operated 3 737-200s and 2 737-700s at its peak, but financial issues brought the airline to a halt in 1999
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31
Eastwind 737-200
A very Nice World Collector's Cards issue of Eastwind's 737-200, N221US.
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32
Florida Express 1984-1988
My favorite of the startups, as I flew them many times, Florida Express was launched in 1984 with a small fleet of BAC-111s. The airline used Orlando as a hub carrying passengers from Northern Cities to Florida destinations. Growth was rapid and as many as 20 BAC-111s were operated. In 1988, the airline was merged into the new Braniff, which seemed to be an excellent match, and headquarters were moved to Orlando, but in November 1989, the new Braniff shut down under mounting debt.
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33
Florida Express BAC-111-400
A beautiful Aviation Society issue of Florida Express' N170FE, an ex American BAC-111-400
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34
Frontier (New). 1994- Present
In 1994, with the withdrawal of Continental's Denver hub, an opportunity came to in essence restart the old Frontier. With unique wildlife adorned 737s, the airline quickly grew and by September 1999, the airline was operating coast to coast with distinctive 737-200s and 737-300s.
During the 2000s interactions and ultimately acquisition by Republic changed much of the airlines focus.
Subsequently in 2012, the airline was spun off and converted to its current low cost model servicing much of the country with an enormous Airbus fleet.
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35
Frontier 737-200 #4
Frontier issued cards of all their aircraft in the early years. Shown is one of the attractive 737s.
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36
Frontier 737-300 #19
The process continued with the 737-300 fleet.
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37
Frontier A-318 #4
Frontier was a launch customer for the A-318, shown on this Frontier Issue.
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38
Frontier A-319 #4
The A-319 became Frontier's main aircraft, which also introduced the block lettering on the fuselage.
Now A-320s and 321s comprise the Frontier fleet.
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39
Grand Airways 1980-1996
Grand Airways was launched in 1980, using Cessnas and later Metros to carry passengers from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon Airport. In 1993, services were expanded to Dallas and Houston using DC-9-30s, also adding Los Cabos in Mexico and Phoenix. Their DC-9s were a familiar site at Las Vegas, but the airline filed for Bankruptcy on Nov. 28, 1995.
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40
Grand DC-9-30
An excellent Grand Airways issue showing an ex Delta DC-9, N1271L. After its service with Grand, it went to ValuJet.
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41
Independence Air 2004-2006
Indepence Air ( or Fly I ) was created by Atlantic Coast at least partially as a consequence of their inability to successfully renew their United Express contract. A logical route structure based in Dulles was created, and initially operated with CRJ equipment. Despite clever marketing and low prices, brutal reprisals from United put the airline out of business in January 2006.
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42
Independence route map
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43
Independence CRJ-200
An excellent oversized Independence issue of their CRJ aircraft.
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Independence A-319
A nice OKC issue showing one of Fly I's new A-319s.
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45
Jet America 1981-1987
Jet America was launched in November, 1981, with flights from Long Beach to Chicago. The airline grew successfully with a fleet of MD-80s until in late 1986 both Delta and Alaska attempted to acquire it. Ultimately Alaska's offer was accepted and the airlines were merged in October 1987.
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46
Jet America map
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47
Jet America MD-80 #2
An excellent in flight view of a Jet America MD-80 over Long Beach. Card by IAWP.
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48
JetBlue 2000-Present
The JetBlue story is phenomenal. Launched with adequate financing and a New York customer base hungry for lower fares, it has grown consistently and profitably since its inception. It's first flight was in February 2000. It now operates 253 aircraft with an 85% load factor.
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49
JetBlue Map
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50
Jetblue A-320 #1
An early Airbus issue showing a JetBlue A-320
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51
JetBlue ERJ-190 #3KCF
A nice in flight view of a JetBlue ERJ-190, kindly shared by Kuo-Ching Fu
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52
Kiwi International 1992-1999
Kiwi International, Formed primarily by a group of Ex Eastern pilots had every reason to succeed. The airline achieved excellent service and perfect safety and dispatch reliability operating to various destinations from Newark and Atlanta. Nevertheless some management missteps, plus more aggressive competition, and constant media attacks on new airlines took its toll and by 1999 the airline was liquidated in bankruptcy.
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53
Kiwi International 727-200
Kiwi's lone postcard offering showing one of its 727-200s
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54
MGM Grand 1987-1995
MGM Grand Air pursued the ultimate "niche market", that of providing elegant service on limited long haul flights. The airline, started by Kirk Kerkorian, was modestly successful, as it operated for 8 years, but changing market conditions made the concept obsolete, and the airline was shut down in 1995.
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55
MGM Grand route Map postcard
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56
M G M Grand 727-100 #2
This MGM Grand issue, shows one of their 727s, with some illustration of their services.
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57
M G M Grand DC-8-62
An excellent Editions PI issue of one of MGM Grand's DC-8-62s
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58
Midway Airlines 1979-1991
Midway Airlines, one of the first children of deregulation started service in 1979 with a fleet of 3 ex TWA DC-9-10s. The airline was immediately successful, and expanded quickly. In 1984 it acquired routes of Air Florida, and by 1988 Midway operated 116 flights a day into Chicago's Midway airport. An ill timed and ill fated hub in Philadelphia led to a downward spiral that resulted in bankruptcy in 1991
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59
Midway 1980
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60
Midway 1985
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61
Midway 1990
"Image by courtesy of departe..."
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62
Midway DC-9-10 #1
A nice Aviation World card of the original Midway DC-9
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63
Midway DC-9-30 #1
This excellent DC-9-30 card is from AeroGem
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64
Midway 737 Photo
A company issued B&W photo of one of their 737-200s
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65
Midway MD-87
A splendid oversized Midway issue of their new MD-87
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66
Midway (new) 1993-2003
The new Midway was formed by the code sharing commuter Jet Express in 1993. Initially the airline operated F-100s out of Midway airport, but as American shut down their hub at Raleigh Durham, Midway moved their operations there. An economic slowdown and an invasion of RDU by Southwest in 2000 led to Chapter 11, and a downsized Midway operated until a final bankruptcy in October 2003
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67
Midway (new) 737-700 and map card
"By courtesy of Kuo-Ching Fu"
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68
Midway (New) CRJ-200 #2
An excellent Midway issue of the CRJ-200
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69
Midway (New) F-100
A Skyliner issue of the Midway F-100
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70
Midwest Express 1984-2010
Midwest Express was born in 1984, in essence replacing Kimberly Clark's corporate aviation group. Originally operating 2 DC-9s, and offering superior service, including their famous chocolate chip cookies, the airline grew to a fleet of 24 DC-9s by 1996.
The airline grew to national carrier size and was profitable until the Sept. 11 attacks. Afterward continued growth and changing market forces somewhat changed its service, but Midwest Express continued to be the premium airline. By 2006 Midwest was a target for acquisition, first by AirTran and later by TPG and Northwest airlines. Unfortunately, the TPG Northwest offer was successful and was completed in 2008.
Subsequently the airline's remnants were acquired by Republic Airlines Holdings. It had been acquired in 2008 for 450 million dollars, and sold in 2009 for 31million. The airline was sadly merged into Frontier.
There now is a major effort to resurrect Midwest, perhaps this year.
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71
Midwest Express DC-9-10 #3
Midwest Express was launched with 2 DC-9s, as shown on this Aero Postcard issue.
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Midwest Express DC-9-30 #4
An excellent Midwest issue of thei DC-9-30.
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Midwest Express MD-80 #2
A Midwest issue of an MD 80.
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74
Midwest MD-95
New MD 95s were added as shown on this final Midwest issue.
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75
Morris Air 1984-1994
Morris Air was created when the successful Travel Agency operated by June Morris entered the charter business in 1984. By 1992 she acquired her first 737-300s, serving 25 western cities. The highly successful service quickly caught the attention of Southwest, and Morris Air was acquired in 1994.
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Morris 737-300
An excellent oversized Morris Air issue of N775 MA, one of 21 737-300s operated by the Airline
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77
Muse Air 1981-1985
Muse Air, founded by one time Southwest president Lamar Muse, began service with new MD-80s on the busy Dallas-Houston Route. Between 1981 and 1985, the airline had grown enough to be of interst to Southwest, which acquired it in June 1985. It was renamed Transtar and operated independently until shut down in 1987.
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Muse Air MD-80 #1
An outstanding Muse Air issue of one of their 8 new MD-80s
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79
Nations Air 1995 - 1999
Nations Air was launched with 3 737-200s in March of 1995.. Services were operated initially between Boston, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, plus flights from those cities to Myrtle Beach.
Operations continued but aggressive competition from US Air, and the aftermath of the ValuJet crash resulted in the collapse of the airline in 1999.
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80
Nations Air 737-200
An excellent postcard view of Nations Air's N308VA
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81
New York Air 1980 - 1987
New York Air, the 2nd post deregulation start up was actually launched by Texas Air Corporationin 1980. On December 19 of that year the airline began Boston, New York, Washington shuttle operations. Growth was rapid and profitable resulting in a fleet of 20 DC-9-30s, 21 MD 80s, and 8 737-300s.
Despite its independent succes, the airline was merged into Continental in February 1987.
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82
New York Air Map
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83
New York Air DC-9-30
A Mary Jayne's issue featuring one of New Tork Air's original DC-9-30s.
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84
New York Air MD-80
The New York Air MD-80 featured on an Aviation World Issue.
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85
New York Air 737-300
New York Air's last fleet addition was the 737-300.
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86
Northeastern International 1982-1986
Northeastern International launched the airline on Feb 11, 1982 with a DC-8 flight from Long Island McArthur to Ft. Lauderdale. One year later it was serving 11 cities in 8 states using 5 727s and 4 DC-8s. In 1984, 2 A-300s were added and the airline was flying to 17 cities in 10 states from coast to coast. It also boasted the highest load factor of any airline at 71.5% But in 1985 the rapid expansion resulted in Chapter 11, and ultimately shut down.
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Northeastern DC-8-62
A nice AeroGem issue of a Northeastern DC-8-62
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88
Northeastern A-300
One of 4 Northeastern A-300s on a Mary Jayne's Issue. All were leased from Lufthansa.
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89
Northeastern 727-100 #2
Northeastern introduced this appealing cloud livery in 1985, as shown on this IAWP historical issue. Their 5 100 models came from Pan American.
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90
Pacific Express 1982-1984
Pacific Express was an ambitious start up launched in 1982 with SFO-LAX flights. It quickly expanded to other west coast destinations with a fleet of 9 BAC-111s, but fierce competition forced a liquidation in 1984
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91
Pacific Express
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Pacific Express BAC-111-200
An excellent Pacific Express issue of one of their ex British United BAC-111s.
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93
People Express 1981-1987
This phenomenal start up was launched on April 30, 1981 with 737 flights to various cities from Newark. Two years later the airline was flying 747s across the Atlantic. In 1985 People Express bought Frontier, and later Britt and PBA. By then the airline had 4000 employees, 72 aircraft and a lot of debt. By early 1987, the airline, along with Frontier was merged into Continental.
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People Express 737-100
An IAWP historical card of N401PE, the first of People's initial fleet of ex Lufthansa 737-100s
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People Express 727-200
A People Express 727-200 on a Michel Moskal issue.
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96
People Express 747-200
People acquired 747s for Trans Atlantic flights and also flew the 747 from Newark to Denver. Card is an Aviation World Issue.
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97
Presidential Brochure
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Presidential BAE-146-200
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Presidential 737-200 #1
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100
Private Jet Brochure
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101
Private Jet MD-80
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102
National (P J) DC-9-50
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103
Reno schedule
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104
Reno MD-80
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105
Reno MD-90
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106
Southeast Airlines 1999-2004
Southeast Airlines, sporting the old National Sun King logo, was formed in 1999, operating a small fleet of DC-9s and MD-80s to various leisure destinations. Profits, however, we're elusive, and the airline shut down in November of 2004.
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107
Southeast (2000) DC-9-30
A nice view of a Southeast DC-9-30. Reported as airline issued.
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108
Spirit Airlines 1992- Present
The often maligned Spirit Airlines was created from Charter One in June of 1992. Remarkably, despite frequent bad publicity, the airline has managed not only to grow, but prosper as well, through the 1990s and 2000s.
Today, despite the hideous new taxi cab livery, the airline operates 147 Airbus aircraft and is solidly positioned for the future.
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109
Spirit DC-9-30 #1
Spirit's early operations were operated by DC-9s, such as this 30 model shown on an IAWP Historical issue.
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110
Spirit MD-80 #1
Spirit operated 37 MD-80s in the early 2000s. Card is a JJ postcards issue.
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111
Spirit A-321 #2 KCF
An impressive but short lived Spirit Livery is shown on this unidentified card, shared by Kuo-Ching Fu.
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112
Spirit A-319 #2 KCF
An excellent, but unidentified card of Spirit's A-319, in the 2nd livery, also shared by Kuo-Ching Fu.
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113
Spirit A-319 #1
This Spirit A-319 displays a later colorful livery on a World Collector cards issue.
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114
Sunworld 1983-1988
Sunworld International, founded by ex Bonanza Airlines Management was launched in 1983, based in Las Vegas. It grew adding more western destinations, attaining a fleet of 5 DC-9s and 4 737-300s. Despite the steady growth, the airline collapsed in January 1988.
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115
Sunworld DC-9-10
A US publications issue of SunWorld's DC-9-15, N2892Q, which previously served with Best Airlines as shown above.
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116
Sunworld 737-300
Sunworld took delivery of this new 737-300 in June of 1985. Card is an Aeroprint issue
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117
Tahoe Air 1999
Tahoe Air was created to restore service to the Lake Tahoe airport. It used a single 737-200, operated by Casino Express to serve Los Angeles and San Jose from Tahoe. The enterprise shut down in October, 1999 after only a few months of service.
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118
Tahoe Air 737-200
Tahoe Air produced this outstanding oversized card of their 737
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119
Tower Air 1983-2000
Tower Air was launched in 1983 to perform long distance scheduled and charter flights to Tel Aviv and European Destinations, filling a vacuum where Metro International once served. Additional long distance domestic flights were also operated, all with a fleet of 747s. By 1993 the airline had its own terminal at Kennedy airport.
Some poor decisions and bad publicity in the late 1990s started a precipitous financial decline that resulted in bankruptcy in February 2000.
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120
Tower Air Route Map From 1998 Annual Report
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121
Tower 747-100 #1
An Avimage issued card showing one of Tower's 747-100 aircraft
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122
Vanguard 1994-2002
Vanguard Airlines launched services from the underutilized Kansas City International Airport in 1994 using 737-200 aircraft. Initially the airline relied exclusively on low fares, but by 2000, Vanguard moved to a more service oriented model with good success.
As happened with other startups, the events of September 11, severely impacted the airline, and it's $80,000,000 debt impaired their financial transactions. In July of 2002, the airline shut down.
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123
Vanguard 737-200 #1
The original Vanguard livery is shown on this early Vanguard issued 737.
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124
Vanguard MD-80 #3
A beautiful Vanguard MD-80, shown on this Aviation Postcards issue.
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125
Valujet 1993-1997
The much maligned Valujet was one of the most successful startups, earning a profit of $21 million in its first full year of operation. A fleet of mostly ex Delta DC-9-30s was used as growth continued. By 1995 an order for 50 MD-95s was placed, but the crash of Valujet flight 592 changed everything. After grounding of the airline in 1996, recovery was unlikely. But, through acquisition of the smaller existing AirTran, Valujet re-emerged as the new, and ultimately very successful AirTran.
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126
ValuJet DC-9-30 #1
An oversized ValuJet issue of their brightly colored DC-9-30.
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127
Western Pacific 1995-1998
Western Pacific was launched in April 1995 with a fleet of 8 737-300s, and introduced an innovative Logo Jet livery advertising various entities in their service area.
Initially, the airline was based in Colorado Springs, but after sustaining losses, it relocated to Denver with the anticipation of acquiring the new Frontier. The merger was not feasible and Western Pacific filed Chapter 7 in February 1998.
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128
Western Pacific 737-300 #2
One of Western Pacific's 8 card set featuring their 737-300 Logojets
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129
Winair 1997-1999
Winair was established as a charter airline in early 1998. Later in the year, Winair was offering public scheduled charters from a hub at Long Beach to various Western Cities, with the intention of becoming a certified scheduled airline. But shortly thereafter, maintenance issues and financial difficulties grounded the Airline on July 6, 1999.
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130
Winair 737-200
A very nice Winair issue of one of their 737-200 aircraft
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