AIR FLORIDA
Also see the Air Florida timetable gallery and postcards and route maps.
Air Florida was an intrastate, and eventually an international carrier based in Miami in the 1970s and early 1980s. The airline, along with its Air Florida Commuter affiliates, dominated the Florida intrastate market for over a decade. Flights began in September 1972 between Miami and St. Petersburg with a leased 707, which was quickly replaced by Lockheed Electra turboprops. Douglas DC-9s, Boeing 737s and 727s were also operated during the late 70s. With the advent of deregulation, Air Florida quickly expanded into the Caribbean, the northeast, and even operated wide-body DC-10s to Europe. The carrier purchased commuter airline Air Sunshine in 1979, but waited until 1980 to create the Air Florida Commuter system. The airline's image was forever tarnished by the 737 crash into the icy Potomac River in Washington in January 1982. Air Florida fell into financial turmoil and ceased operations on July 3, 1984.
Below: Air Florida 707 at Miami in 1973.
Air Florida was an intrastate, and eventually an international carrier based in Miami in the 1970s and early 1980s. The airline, along with its Air Florida Commuter affiliates, dominated the Florida intrastate market for over a decade. Flights began in September 1972 between Miami and St. Petersburg with a leased 707, which was quickly replaced by Lockheed Electra turboprops. Douglas DC-9s, Boeing 737s and 727s were also operated during the late 70s. With the advent of deregulation, Air Florida quickly expanded into the Caribbean, the northeast, and even operated wide-body DC-10s to Europe. The carrier purchased commuter airline Air Sunshine in 1979, but waited until 1980 to create the Air Florida Commuter system. The airline's image was forever tarnished by the 737 crash into the icy Potomac River in Washington in January 1982. Air Florida fell into financial turmoil and ceased operations on July 3, 1984.
Below: Air Florida 707 at Miami in 1973.
Lockheed Electra N138US (msn 1144) at Miami in 1974. This aircraft formerly flew with Northwest and was later re-registered N24AF.
Douglas DC-9s were Air Florida's primary aircraft type during 1977-78. The red lips beneath the cockpit windows were part of Air Florida's K.I.S.S. (keep it sweet and simple) advertising campaign. Note the Florida flag just aft of the passenger door.
Air Florida route map from September 1, 1978. More Air Florida route maps can be found HERE.
Air Florida 727 at Miami, FL.
Boeing 737s became the primary aircraft type in 1979. N57AF is pictured at Miami in the classic blue-and-green color scheme.
The crash of flight 90 into the icy Potomac River on January 13, 1982 defined the beginning of the end for Air Florida. The immediate aftermath and dramatic rescue attempts broadcast on live television left an indelible imprint in the minds of the millions watching the coverage that day. The iconic photo below, which appeared in virtually every newspaper and news magazine in America, came to define the image of Air Florida for much of the traveling public.
Douglas DC-10s were used on trans-Atlantic services.
Air Florida leased DC-8-62 N1805 from Rich International during 1983-84 and operated it between Miami and Zurich. This was once Braniff's legendary Calder DC-8.
Two BAC 1-11s, leased from British Island Airways during 1983-84, were flown in Europe to feed London - Miami flights. Stickers with small Air Florida titles and logo were applied to the aircraft.
For additional timetable images and information, visit the Air Florida page at Timetable Images.