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This article is about the defunct U. S. air carrier Eastern Air Lines. For the UK company that operates as Eastern Airways, see Eastern Airways. This article is about the UK company For the defunct US air carrier see Eastern Air Lines. For the Chinese company that operates as China Eastern Airlines, see China Eastern Airlines. China Eastern Airlines Corporation Limited ( () is an Airline based in Shanghai, People's Republic of China. For the Zambian airline, see Eastern Air. This article is about the Zambian airline For the defunct United States airline see Eastern Air Lines.
Eastern Air Lines
IATA
EA		 ICAO
EAL		 Callsign
EASTERN
Founded 1926 (as Pitcairn Aviation)
Ceased operations 1991
Hubs Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
Miami International Airport
Kansas City International Airport
San Juan Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport
Charlotte/Douglas International Airport
Frequent flyer program OnePass
Member lounge Ionosphere Lounge
Fleet size 304
Destinations 140
Parent company Eastern Air Lines, Inc. This is a list of Airline codes. The table lists the IATA airline designators the ICAO airline designators and the airline call signs (telephony designator This is a list of Airline codes. The table lists the IATA airline designators the ICAO airline designators and the airline call signs (telephony designator This is a list of Airline codes. The table lists the IATA airline designators the ICAO airline designators and the airline call signs (telephony designator An airline hub is an Airport that an airline uses as a transfer point to get passengers to their intended destination Miami International Airport is a public Airport located eight miles (13 km) northwest of the Central business district of Miami, in unincorporated Kansas City International Airport, originally named Mid-Continent International Airport Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport is a public Airport located in Carolina Puerto Rico 3 miles (5 km southeast of San Juan, Puerto Rico Charlotte Douglas International Airport is a public International airport located in Charlotte North Carolina. A frequent flyer program (FFP is a Loyalty program offered by many Airlines. An airport lounge is a Lounge owned by a particular Airline (or jointly operated in the case of an alliance) A parent company is a Company that owns enough voting stock in another firm to control management and operations by influencing or electing its Board of directors
Headquarters Miami, Florida
Key people Eddie Rickenbacker (First CEO), Floyd Hall, Frank Borman, Frank Lorenzo (Final CEO)

Eastern Air Lines was a major United States airline that existed from the late 1920s until 1991. Edward Vernon Rickenbacker (October 8 1890 &ndash July 27 1973 was an American fighter ace in World War I and Medal of Honor recipient A chief executive officer ( CEO) or chief executive is typically the highest-ranking corporate officer ( executive) or administrator Frank Frederick Borman II (born March 14, 1928) is a retired NASA Astronaut, best remembered as the Commander of Apollo 8, the Francisco A "Frank" Lorenzo (born) is an investment manager Entrepreneur, philanthropist and a former Airline CEO in the United States An airline provides air transport services for Passengers or Freight, generally with a recognized operating certificate or license

Contents

History

An Eastern Air Lines DC-3, on display in the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C.
An Eastern Air Lines DC-3, on display in the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C.

Eastern Airlines began as a mail carrier for the U.S. Postal Service in the mid-1920s, and is recognized as one of the first and longest-running U. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout The National Air and Space Museum (NASM of the Smithsonian Institution is a museum in Washington D Washington DC ( formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, the District, or simply D S. "trunk" carriers. The airline grew into a passenger carrier soon after its inception and came to dominate much of the domestic travel industry along the lucrative east coast corridor by the 1950s. At the time it was widely known for its famous president, racer and World War I Ace, Eddie Rickenbacker. World War I (abbreviated WWI; also known as the First World War, the Great War, and the War to End All Edward Vernon Rickenbacker (October 8 1890 &ndash July 27 1973 was an American fighter ace in World War I and Medal of Honor recipient

The airline did well financially well into the 1970s and was respected in the industry for helping to pioneer the use of a worldwide computer reservation systems, an all-jet mainline fleet, and yield management techniques. Yield management, also known as revenue management, is the process of understanding anticipating and influencing Consumer Behavior in order to maximize In the late 1960s, Eastern placed an order with the Boeing Company for its brand new aircraft, the 747. The Boeing Company is a major Aerospace and defense corporation originally founded by William E To be delivered in the early 1970s, the airline ordered 4 Boeing 747-125 aircraft. However, as the aircraft were nearly finished, Eastern cancelled the order. The jumbojets were converted to Boeing 747-131 designations and acquired by TWA. Trans World Airlines ( TWA) renamed TWA Airlines LLC in 2001 was a major U They were also launch customer for the Lockheed L1011 Tristar widebody jetliner in 1968. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout Although the airline cancelled their 747 order, they did lease a small number of 747s from Pan Am while awaiting delayed Tristar aircraft. Eastern was also a launch customer for the Boeing 757-200 in 1983. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout

By the 1970s the airline had grown into one of the "big 4" major U. S. airlines, and was led by astronaut-turned-CEO Frank Borman. Frank Frederick Borman II (born March 14, 1928) is a retired NASA Astronaut, best remembered as the Commander of Apollo 8, the Initially very popular in the company and throughout the industry (even appearing in numerous Eastern advertising campaigns in the 1970s and 1980s), Borman's popularity waned as the carrier struggled after the 1978 Air Transportation Deregulation Act. As the carrier began to lose millions of dollars quarterly, Borman's relations with the unions began to suffer, and he eventually gave his blessing to a buyout proposal to shareholders from corporate raider Frank Lorenzo's Texas Air Corporation in 1985. Francisco A "Frank" Lorenzo (born) is an investment manager Entrepreneur, philanthropist and a former Airline CEO in the United States Texas Air was an Airline Holding company in the United States created to hold and invest in airlines starting with Texas International Airlines By the end of 1986, Texas Air would control New York Air, People Express, Eastern Airlines, Continental Airlines, and Frontier Airlines (1950-1986). New York Air was a 1980s startup Airline owned by Texas Air Corporation and based at LaGuardia Airport in New York City. PEOPLExpress Airlines, also known as People Express, was a US Continental Airlines Inc ( is a United States certificated air carrier. Frontier Airlines was formed by a merger of Arizona Airways, Challenger Airlines, and Monarch Airlines on June 1 1950, with headquarters

Despite its financial woes, Eastern had by this time become the largest airline in the free world in terms of passengers enplaned (a title it held for 3 years in the mid-1980s), served 26 countries on 3 continents (North America, Europe, and South America), and was petitioning the U. S. government for rights for operate in Asia. It also had large hub operations at airports in Atlanta, Miami, New York, Newark, Boston, San Juan, and Kansas City.

Lorenzo and his Texas Air International oversaw a dramatic and rapid decline for Eastern Airlines, which was in a difficult but redeemable position when purchased. Although the exact causes of the decline are disputed to this day, most analysts agree that the carrier was systematically raided of valuable assets including new aircraft, its east-coast shuttle service, its lucrative fuel operations, and its worldwide travel agent computer system (SystemOne), almost all of which was sold at drastically reduced prices or given to Lorenzo's other carrier, Continental. This combined with poor management, a worsening economy, and deteriorating labor relations forced the carrier into Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 1989 following a mechanics strike. At the time it was the largest airline bankruptcy in U. S. history, a title it held until United filed after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. The carrier was placed under the direction of trustee Martin Shugrue.

Shugrue tried to rebuild a now-anemic route network that had fallen badly behind other domestic carriers American, United, and Delta (which competed most directly with Eastern). Although the carrier tried desperately to remake itself after the filing, it continued to bleed cash, finding itself billions in debt. With creditors clamoring for a shut-down, and the country entering recession and a war, Eastern ceased operations the day after the start of Operation Desert Storm in 1991. Around 35,000 employees lost their jobs and most analysts now agree that Eastern should have been allowed to continue operating by the bankruptcy court, considering its still-enormous assets and passenger loads. Eastern assets were sold in a comprehensive asset liquidation sale.

Many airlines rushed to fill the void that Eastern left. TWA established a short-lived hub in Atlanta. American drastically expanded its operations in Miami and South America, as did United. TWA also established a "focus city" out of San Juan.

Eastern's concourses at both J. F. K. Airport in New York and Newark International Airport in New Jersey were demolished, and the Newark operations were supplanted by Continental. Continental also inherited the OnePass frequent flier program as a result of their Texas Air affiliation.

Sadly, Eastern's demise was eclipsed by the smaller (but more visible) demise of Pan Am the same year, as well as by Operation Desert Storm.

As per an article in the Miami Herald - April 11, 2008, an Ex-Airline Executive is set on purchasing the airline back under the original Eastern name, with the main hub being in MIA. It hopes to begin operations in the summer of 2009.

Precursors

Eastern Air Lines was a composite of assorted air travel corporations, including Pitcairn Aviation, established on April 19, 1926, and Florida Air Ways. Events 1012 - Martyrdom of Alphege in Greenwich London. 1529 - At the Second Diet of Speyer Year 1926 ( MCMXXVI) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar.

Transporting air mail

Pitcairn won a government contract to fly the U. S. Mail between New York City and Atlanta, Georgia, operating Mailwing single-engine aircraft. The City of New York In 1929 Clement Keys, the owner of North American Aviation, purchased Pitcairn. Year 1929 ( MCMXXIX) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. North American Aviation was a major US Aircraft manufacturer, responsible for a number of historic aircraft including the T-6 Texan trainer the In 1930 he changed the name to Eastern Air Transport, and it would soon be known as Eastern Air Lines. Year 1930 ( MCMXXX) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display 1930 calendar of the Gregorian calendar.

Rickenbacker leadership

In 1938, the airline was purchased by World War I flying ace Eddie Rickenbacker. Year 1938 ( MCMXXXVIII) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. World War I (abbreviated WWI; also known as the First World War, the Great War, and the War to End All Edward Vernon Rickenbacker (October 8 1890 &ndash July 27 1973 was an American fighter ace in World War I and Medal of Honor recipient Rickenbacker pushed Eastern into a period of prodigious growth and innovation. For a time, Eastern was the most profitable airline in the post-war era. In the late 1950s, Eastern's fortunes changed, and Rickenbacker was forced out of his CEO position on October 1, 1959. Events 331 BC - Alexander the Great defeats Darius III of Persia in the Battle of Gaugamela. The year 1959 ( MCMLIX) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. His ouster was due largely to his reluctance to acquire jets. He felt they were a fad and that his fleet of turboprop Lockheed Electras [was] good enough. He left his position as chairman of the board on December 31, 1963. Events 406 – Vandals, Alans and Suebians cross the Rhine, beginning an invasion of Gallia. Year 1963 ( MCMLXIII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar.

Supporting World War II

During the beginnings of World War II, military aviation equipment had not been produced. The United States war effort required civilian resources. Due to the efforts of Eddie Rickenbacker, Eastern Air Lines provided the United States with aircraft and personnel.

Developing air transportation systems

Throughout the 1940s, competitors were acquired, more advanced planes were purchased and international routes were opened. The 1940s decade ran from 1940 to 1949 Events and trends The 1940s was a period between the radical 1930s and the conservative 1950s which also leads the period to be

Prominence in the industry

By the 1950s, Eastern's propellers were very prominent up and down the East Coast of the United States. The 1950s Decade refers to the years of 1950 to 1959 inclusive The East Coast of the United States, also known as the "Eastern Seaboard" or "Atlantic Seaboard" refers to the easternmost coastal states in the central and northern In 1956, they purchased Canadian airline Colonial Airlines, which gave the airline their first service to Canada. Year 1956 ( MCMLVI) was a Leap year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Country to "Dominion of Canada" or "Canadian Federation" or anything else please read the Talk Page Colonial Airlines was a Canadian Airline from the 1940s and 1950s with bases in Montreal and at LaGuardia Airport in New York. [1]

Improving technology: jet aircraft

In 1960 Eastern's first jets, Douglas DC-8s arrived, allowing Eastern to open non-stop service from New York City's Idlewild International Airport to Los Angeles International Airport LAX. Year 1960 ( MCMLX) was a Leap year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. A jet aircraft is an Aircraft propelled by Jet engines Jet aircraft fly much faster than Propeller -powered aircraft and at higher altitudes -- as high as WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout The City of New York John F Kennedy International Airport is an International airport located in Queens County on Long Island in southeastern New York City about 12 miles (19 Los Angeles International Airport is the primary Airport serving Los Angeles, California, the second-most populated metropolitan area of The DC-8s were joined in 1962 by the Boeing 720, then in 1964 by a regional airliner, the Boeing 727. Year 1962 ( MCMLXII) was a Common year starting on Monday (the link is to a full 1962 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout Around this time, Eastern started changing their planes' livery colors to include the dark blue hockey stick design, iconic in the airline industry. Eastern was also the first US carrier to fly the A-300 and the first airline to fly the 757.

Eastern Shuttle

In 1961 Eastern inaugurated the Eastern Air Shuttle, featuring hourly flights of Lockheed Constellations and Electras between New York-LaGuardia, Washington, D.C.-National, and Boston-Logan airports. Year 1961 ( MCMLXI) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout The Lockheed L-188 Electra is an American Turboprop airliner built by Lockheed. LaGuardia Airport (ləˈɡwɑɹdiə is an airport located in Queens County on Long Island in the The City of New York. Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport is a public Airport located three miles (5 km) south of the Central business district of Washington

The groundbreaking service emphasized convenience and simplicity—revolutionary in an era when air travel was both considered and expected to be a luxury. Not only were seat reservations not required, seat assignments were not given, and initially no check-in was required and no boarding passes were issued. Eastern guaranteed availability, however, and planes flew hourly whether empty or full. In the event of a full flight, Eastern simply added another aircraft. Jets were added in 1967 and the shuttle became all-jet in 1978 with a fleet of dedicated Boeing 727s. Year 1967 ( MCMLXVII) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar of the 1967 Gregorian calendar. Year 1978 ( MCMLXXVIII) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link displays the 1978 Gregorian calendar) WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout

The shuttle proved one of Eastern's most successful ventures. Other airlines, including Pan American World Airways, eventually set up competing services.

Eastern Air Shuttle's landing rights and some aircraft were bought by Trump Airlines to run the Trump Shuttle. Trump Shuttle Inc, doing business as Trump Airlines, was an airline owned by Donald Trump from 1989 to 1992 Trump Shuttle Inc, doing business as Trump Airlines, was an airline owned by Donald Trump from 1989 to 1992 US Airways later bought the service from Trump Airlines, and respectively named it US Airways Shuttle. US Airways Inc is the fifth largest Airline in the United States. US Airways Shuttle is the brand for an hourly service offered by US Airways between Boston New York and Washington Pan Am's shuttle service was bought by Delta Air Lines to become the Delta Shuttle, which directly competes with the US Airways Shuttle. Delta Air Lines Inc ( is a United States Airline based and headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. Delta Shuttle is the brand name for hourly air service operated by Delta Air Lines on high-demand routes in the northeastern United States.

New leadership, corporate changes

Logo on an Eastern Air Lines DC-3
Logo on an Eastern Air Lines DC-3

The 1970s brought dramatic changes in the management of Eastern. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout This article is about the Decade 1970-1979 For the Year 1970 see 1970. Former astronaut Frank Borman was brought on as president.

Expanded routes and service

Internationalization began as Eastern opened routes to new markets such as Madrid, Mexico City, Santo Domingo, Nassau, Bahamas and London. Madrid (pronounced in English in Spanish and colloquially in Spain) is the Capital and largest city of Spain. Mexico City (in Spanish: Ciudad de México, México DF, México or simply Méjico) is the Capital city of Mexico Santo Domingo de Guzmán (known as Santo Domingo population 2084852 (Metro (2003 estimated 2253437 (Metro in 2006 is the Capital and largest city in the Nassau is the Capital, largest city and commercial centre of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas. London ( ˈlʌndən is the capital and largest urban area in the United Kingdom. Services from San Juan, Puerto Rico's Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport were expanded. San Juan (saŋ hwaŋ (from the Spanish San Juan Bautista, " Saint John the Baptist " is the Capital and largest municipality in Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport is a public Airport located in Carolina Puerto Rico 3 miles (5 km southeast of San Juan, Puerto Rico

Larger equipment

Eastern bought the Lockheed L-1011 jet, which would become known in the Caribbean as El Grandote (the huge one). WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout The Caribbean (ˌkærəˡbiən kæ'rəbiən Cariben|Caraïben or Caraïben; Caraïbe or more commonly Antilles; Caribe is a Region consisting Boeing 747s, leased from Pan Am, would fly between Chicago and San Juan as well as New York to San Juan. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout Although they purchased 4 they were sold to TWA, before delivery. They were also introduced for a short time while the carrier awaited the delivery of the L-1011.

Advertising campaign

Walt Disney World opened in 1971. Walt Disney World Resort is the most visited and largest recreational resort in the world containing four Theme parks two Water parks twenty-three themed hotels Eastern established service at Orlando, became the official airline of Walt Disney World. This proved to be extremely beneficial for Eastern as well as Disney. It remained the official airline of Walt Disney World, which even had an Eastern-themed ride at its park, until its contracting route network forced Disney to switch to Delta shortly before the 1989 bankruptcy filing (the ride was remodeled).

The famous "Wings of Man" campaign, which began in the late 1960s, was created by advertising agency, Young & Rublicam, and restored Eastern's tarnished image until the late 1970s, when former astronaut Frank Borman became president and it was replaced by a new campaign, "We Have To Earn Our Wings Every Day". The new campaign, which featured Borman as a spokesperson, was used until the mid-to-late 1980s.

Under bankruptcy Eastern launched a "100 Days" campaign, in which it promised to "become a little bit better every day".

Deregulation and troubles at Eastern

The Airline Deregulation Act of 1978 aggravated its position, forcing Eastern into a competitive low-fare environment in which its high cost of operation put the airline at a decided disadvantage. The Airline Deregulation Act (or ADA) is a United States federal law signed into law on October 24, 1978. Year 1978 ( MCMLXXVIII) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link displays the 1978 Gregorian calendar)

Head to head with Delta

Eastern's massive Atlanta hub placed it in direct competition with Delta Air Lines, where both carriers competed heavily with one another to neither's benefit. Delta Air Lines Inc ( is a United States Airline based and headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. Delta's less-unionized work force and slowly expanding international route network helped lead it through the turbulent period following deregulation in 1978.

Frank Borman in charge

When the 1980s started, Eastern operated under its new president, former astronaut Frank Borman. The 1980s was the decade spanning from January 1 1980 to December 31 1989. An astronaut or cosmonaut (космона́вт) is a person trained Frank Frederick Borman II (born March 14, 1928) is a retired NASA Astronaut, best remembered as the Commander of Apollo 8, the First beloved by the employees, and eventually seen as selling out the carrier to union-buster Frank Lorenzo, Borman saw himself as trying to save Eastern from itself.

Expansion and growth

In 1980, a Caribbean hub was inaugurated at San Juan, Puerto Rico (then still named Isla Verde International Airport). Year 1980 ( MCMLXXX) was a Leap year starting on Tuesday (link displays the 1980 Gregorian calendar) San Juan (saŋ hwaŋ (from the Spanish San Juan Bautista, " Saint John the Baptist " is the Capital and largest municipality in In 1982, Eastern acquired Braniff International Airways' South American route network. Year 1982 ( MCMLXXXII) was a Common year starting on Friday (link displays the 1982 Gregorian calendar) Braniff International Airways was an American Airline that existed from 1928 until 1982 South America is a Continent of the Americas, situated entirely in the Western Hemisphere and mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a In 1985 Eastern was the largest airline in the free world in terms of passengers enplaned and operated in 26 countries on three continents.

Divided branding and livery

During this era, Eastern's fleet was split between their "silver-colored hockey stick" livery (the lack of paint reduced weight by 100 pounds) and their "white-colored hockey stick" livery (on its Airbus-manufactured planes, the metallurgy of which required paint to cover the aircraft's composite skin panels). Airbus SAS (ˈɛərbʌs in English, Airbus2ogg|/ɛʁbys/]] in French, and /ˈɛːɐbʊs/ in German) is an aircraft manufacturing

The efficient Boeing 757

In 1983, Eastern became the launch customer of Boeing's new aircraft, the Boeing 757, which was ordered in 1978. Year 1983 ( MCMLXXXIII) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays the 1983 Gregorian calendar) The Boeing Company is a major Aerospace and defense corporation originally founded by William E WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout Borman felt that its low cost of operation would make it an invaluable asset to the airline in the years to come. However, higher oil prices failed to materialize and the debt created by this purchase coupled with the Airbus A300 purchases made in 1977 proved to be a millstone around Eastern's neck, contributing to the February 1986 sale to Frank Lorenzo's Texas Air. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout Texas Air was an Airline Holding company in the United States created to hold and invest in airlines starting with Texas International Airlines At that time, Eastern was paying over $700,000 in interest each day before they sold a ticket and fueled or boarded a single aircraft. Borman claimed these purchases constituted "fleet modernization" rather than expansion, but Eastern's system growth during his tenure belies this assertion.

Back to the 747

In the 1980s, Eastern needed an aircraft for the Miami-London Route. They were to purchase two Boeing 747-238 aircraft from the Australian airline Qantas. Qantas Airways Limited (ˈkwɔntəs ( is the National airline of Australia. However,the airline was not allowed permission to fly the route and the deal fell through. The two aircraft, N371EA and N372EA, were already painted and were subsequently reinstated in the Qantas fleet.

Subsidiary operations

In that same year, Eastern reintroduced service to Ponce, Puerto Rico, using Fairchild Swearingen Metroliner planes under the name Eastern Metro Express. Ponce ( IPA) officially the Autonomous Municipality of Ponce, is a municipality of Puerto Rico located in the Southern Coastal Plain region WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout The Eastern Metro Express operation wasn't limited to Ponce, however, as, under that name, Eastern began services from its San Juan hub to Mayagüez and several other smaller Caribbean communities, from John F. Kennedy International Airport to several northeastern cities, and from Miami to many cities around the south. Mayagüez redirects here For the US ship of the same name see ''SS'' Mayagüez. John F Kennedy International Airport is an International airport located in Queens County on Long Island in southeastern New York City about 12 miles (19

Competition: quality versus price

Eastern began losing money as it faced competition from no-frills airlines, such as People Express, which offered drastically reduced air fares. PEOPLExpress Airlines, also known as People Express, was a US In an attempt to differentiate itself from its bargain competitors, Eastern began a marketing campaign stressing its quality of service and its rank of highly experienced pilots.

Sale and decline

July 2, 1988, Eastern Air Lines employee timetable
July 2, 1988, Eastern Air Lines employee timetable

Unable to keep up, Borman agreed to the sale of the airline in 1986 to Texas Air, led by Frank Lorenzo. Year 1986 ( MCMLXXXVI) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link displays 1986 Gregorian calendar) Texas Air was an Airline Holding company in the United States created to hold and invest in airlines starting with Texas International Airlines Francisco A "Frank" Lorenzo (born) is an investment manager Entrepreneur, philanthropist and a former Airline CEO in the United States Lorenzo (who was named as one of Time Magazine's 10 "worst bosses of the century") was known as a ruthless corporate raider and union buster. He had already purchased Continental and lost a bidding war for TWA to Carl Icahn. Carl Celian Icahn (born February 16, 1936) is an American Billionaire Financier, Corporate raider and Private equity

Although Eastern's employees saw Lorenzo at the time as a savior, he would prove to be anything but a hero to the employees by the end of the decade. This event is widely seen as the beginning of the unwinding of the company, and the beginning of a steep decline into a period that saw strikes, empty planes, mass layoffs, bankruptcy, and eventually a ceasing of operations.

Labor relations: strikes and canceled service

Under Lorenzo's tenure, Eastern was crippled by severe labor unrest. Asked to accept deep cuts in pay and benefits, Eastern's mechanics and ramp service employees, represented by the IAM (International Assn. of Machinists and Aerospace Workers), walked out on March 4, 1989. Year 1989 ( MCMLXXXIX) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link displays 1989 Gregorian calendar) A sympathy strike called by the pilots represented by ALPA (Air Line Pilots Assn. Alpa was formerly a Swiss Camera design company and manufacturer of 35 mm cameras ) and flight attendants represented by TWU (Transport Workers Union) effectively shut down the airline's domestic operations. Non-contract employees, including airport gate and ticket counter agents and reservation sales agents, did not honor the strike. Due to the strike, flights were canceled, resulting in the loss of millions of dollars in revenue.

Dismantling the airline

Lorenzo sold Eastern's shuttle service to real estate magnate Donald Trump in 1989, under whom it became the Trump Shuttle, while selling other parts of Eastern to his Texas Air holding company and its major subsidiary, Continental Airlines, on disadvantageous terms to Eastern. Donald John Trump (born June 14, 1946) is an American Business magnate, Socialite, Television personality, and Year 1989 ( MCMLXXXIX) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link displays 1989 Gregorian calendar) Trump Shuttle Inc, doing business as Trump Airlines, was an airline owned by Donald Trump from 1989 to 1992 Continental Airlines Inc ( is a United States certificated air carrier.

Bankrupt

As a result of the strike, weakened airline structure, inability to compete after deregulation and other financial problems, Eastern filed for bankruptcy protection on March 9, 1989. Bankruptcy is a legally declared inability or impairment of ability of an individual or organization to pay their Creditors Creditors may file a bankruptcy petition against Events 590 - Bahram Chobin is crowned as king Barham VI of Persia. Year 1989 ( MCMLXXXIX) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link displays 1989 Gregorian calendar) This gave Lorenzo breathing room, and allowed him to continue operating the airline with strikebreakers. When control of the airline was taken away from Lorenzo by the courts and given to Marty Shugrue, it continued operations in an attempt to correct its cash flow, but to no avail. With the airline collapsing from debt, it ran out of money to operate on January 18th, 1991 following the run-up to the Gulf War. Events 350 - Generallus Magnentius deposes Roman Emperor Constans and proclaims himself Emperor Year 1991 ( MCMXCI) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar. Over 18,000 employees lost their jobs and pensions in one day, not including the thousands laid off or furloughed prior to the collapse.

An asset liquidation sale was commenced later that year and provided Eastern's creditors with a remarkably good payout.

Attempts at revival

An airline entrepreneur who was once the bankruptcy trustee of Eastern, Martin Shugrue, considered reviving it in 1995, but the decision was made to revive Pan Am instead. Year 1995 ( MCMXCV) was a Common year starting on Sunday. Events of 1995

Recently, rumors have surfaced stating that a Miami-based group has acquired the Eastern name and trademarks, with the intention of initiating service sometime during 2009. This reincarnation would fly Airbus A319 aircraft on short to medium-range flights from a hub in Miami. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout [2]

Fleet

Eastern Airlines flew many different types of aircraft throughout its history:

Martin 4-0-4
Martin 4-0-4

Fleet Curiosities

With the implementation of the "Hockey Stick" livery in the 1960s, the Eastern Air Lines different aircraft types were given an a/c number, which was tied to the registration after a particular aircraft type, with the aircraft number placed close to the aircraft nose below the cockpit windows:

Numbers Series / Aircraft Type / Registration example - e. g. , N215EA was the a/c registration for ship 215.

Ship # 128
Ship # 128

Accidents

Eastern weathered crashes over the years of varying damage to the company and passenger injuries and deaths. Some of the crashes contributed to the future safety of American air transportation, such as Eastern's first accident caused by the construction of temporary utility poles at the end of a runway.

Flight 21 (Rickenbacker's accident)

In 1941, Eastern Air Lines Flight 21 crashed near Atlanta, almost killing Eddie Rickenbacker, who was traveling on airline business. Eastern Air Lines Flight 21, registration NC28394 was a Douglas DC-3 aircraft that crashed while preparing to land at Candler Field (now Hartsfield-Jackson Edward Vernon Rickenbacker (October 8 1890 &ndash July 27 1973 was an American fighter ace in World War I and Medal of Honor recipient His recovery in the hospital received broad press coverage; during his initial recovery several news reports claimed that he had died.

Flight 375

On October 4, 1960, Eastern Air Lines Flight 375 (a Lockheed L-188 Electra) departing Boston's Logan International Airport for Philadelphia crashed on takeoff after striking a flock of birds. Events 610 - Heraclius arrives by ship from Africa at Constantinople, overthrows Byzantine Emperor Phocas Year 1960 ( MCMLX) was a Leap year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Eastern Air Lines Flight 375, registration N5533 was a Lockheed L-188 Electra aircraft that crashed on takeoff from Logan International Airport in The Lockheed L-188 Electra is an American Turboprop airliner built by Lockheed. Philadelphia (ˌfɪləˈdɛlfiə A bird strike (sometimes birdstrike, bird hit, or BASH (Bird Aircraft Strike Hazard in Aviation is a collision between an airborne animal (usually Sixty-two of the 72 passengers and crew were killed.

Flight 512

On November 30, 1962, Eastern Air Lines Flight 512 (a Douglas DC-7) crashed during a go around after failing to land due to fog at Idlewild Airport (now JFK) in New York City. Events 1700 - Battle of Narva — A Swedish army of 8500 men under Charles XII defeats Year 1962 ( MCMLXII) was a Common year starting on Monday (the link is to a full 1962 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Eastern Air Lines Flight 512 was a DC-7B flying into New York City. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout A go-around is an aborted landing of an Aircraft which is on final approach. John F Kennedy International Airport is an International airport located in Queens County on Long Island in southeastern New York City about 12 miles (19 The City of New York Out of the 51 passengers and crew on board, 25 were fatally injured.

Flight 304

On February 25, 1964, Eastern Air Lines Flight 304 (a Douglas DC-8) flying from New Orleans International Airport to Washington-National Airport crashed into Lake Pontchartrain enroute due to "degradation of aircraft stability characteristics in turbulence, because of abnormal longitudinal trim component positions. Events 138 - The Emperor Hadrian adopts Antoninus Pius, effectively making him his successor Year 1964 ( MCMLXIV) was a Leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display full calendar of the 1964 Gregorian calendar. Eastern Air Lines Flight 304 was a Douglas DC-8 flying from New Orleans International Airport to Washington-National Airport. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport is a public Airport located three miles (5 km) south of the Central business district of Washington Lake Pontchartrain (ˈpɒntʃətreɪn in English Lac Pontchartrain IPA in French) is a brackish Lake Clear air turbulence weather (CAT sometimes colloquially referred to as "air pockets" is the erratic movement of air masses in the absence of any visual cues such as clouds " All 51 passengers and 7 crew aboard were killed.

Flight 663

On February 8, 1965, Eastern Air Lines Flight 663, a Douglas DC-7 departing from New York City to Richmond, Virginia, crashed at Jones Beach State Park after takeoff from JFK when it was forced to evade inbound Pan Am Flight 212. Events 421 - Constantius III becomes co- Emperor of the Western Roman Empire. Year 1965 ( MCMLXV) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar of the 1965 Gregorian calendar. Eastern Air Lines Flight 663 was a DC-7B departing from New York City to Richmond Virginia. The City of New York This article is about the city of Richmond the capital of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Jones Beach State Park (colloquially "Jones Beach" is a State park of the U John F Kennedy International Airport is an International airport located in Queens County on Long Island in southeastern New York City about 12 miles (19 All 84 onboard died. The evasive action was blamed for leaving the plane out of control.

Flight 401

Eastern Air Lines Flight 401 (a brand new Lockheed L-1011) was preparing to land in Miami, Florida, on December 29, 1972, when the flight crew became distracted by a non-functioning gear light. Eastern Air Lines Flight 401 was a Lockheed L-1011 jet that crashed into the Florida Everglades on the night of December 29 1972 causing 101 fatalities (77 initial WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout Events 1170 - Thomas Becket: Thomas Becket Archbishop of Canterbury is assassinated inside Canterbury Cathedral by followers of King Henry II Year 1972 ( MCMLXXII) was a Leap year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. After attempting to recycle the landing gear to no avail, the massive L1011 went around. However, while so focussed on the malfinctioning landing gear light, the crew leaned on the yoke and applied the necessary pressure to disengage the autopilot. The flightcrew did not realize the subsequent roll to the left at which the left wing impacted. The aircraft was consumed by fire. The flight crashed in the Everglades, near the same site of the ValuJet Flight 592 DC-9 crash 23 years later. Everglades is also the name of a city in Collier County Florida ValuJet Airlines was a Low-cost carrier that operated in the Eastern United States during the 1990s ValuJet Flight 592 was a flight that crashed on May 11 1996 en route from Miami International Airport in Miami Florida, United States to Hartsfield WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout In Eastern's Flight 401 case, it was rumored that the ghost of the pilot who flew that night was later seen on some Eastern planes that carried parts of the doomed plane. The legend became the subject of a book and the movie The Ghost of Flight 401.

Flight 212

On the morning of September 11, 1974, Eastern Air Lines Flight 212, a DC-9-31 carrying 78 passengers and 4 crew operating as a scheduled flight from Charleston, South Carolina, to Chicago, Illinois, with an intermediate stop in Charlotte, North Carolina, crashed while conducting an instrument approach in dense ground fog at Douglas Municipal Airport (now called Charlotte/Douglas International Airport). Events 9 - The Battle of the Teutoburg Forest ends 506 - The Bishops of Visigothic Gaul Year 1974 ( MCMLXXIV) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar of the 1974 Gregorian calendar. Eastern Air Lines Flight 212 was an Eastern Air Lines Douglas DC-9-31, carrying 78 passengers and 4 crew operating as a scheduled flight from Charleston WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout Charleston is a city in Charleston county in the US state of South Carolina. Chicago (ʃɪˈkɑːgoʊ is the largest City by population in the state of Illinois and the American Midwest of the United States. The State of Illinois ( roughly ill-i-NOY is a state of the United States of America, the 21st to be admitted to the Union. An instrument approach or instrument approach procedure (IAP is a type of Air navigation that allows pilots to land an Aircraft in Charlotte Douglas International Airport is a public International airport located in Charlotte North Carolina. The aircraft crashed just short of the runway, killing 71 of the occupants. 13 people survived the initial impact, but three subsequently died from their injuries. One of the initial survivors died of injuries 29 days after the accident. The aircraft was destroyed by the impact and resulting post-crash fire. Also killed on this flight were James, Peter and Paul Colbert: the father and older brothers of comedian Stephen Colbert. Stephen Tyrone Colbert ( born May 13 1964 is an American Comedian, satirist, Actor and Writer, known for his ironic style

Flight 66

On June 24, 1975, Eastern Air Lines Flight 66 (a Boeing 727) crashed into the runway approach lights, as it penetrated a thunderstorm which was astride the ILS localizer course line to that runway, at JFK in New York City, killing 113 people. Events 972 - Battle of Cedynia, the first documented victory of Polish forces takes place Year 1975 ( MCMLXXV) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Eastern Air Lines Flight 66, a Boeing 727 -225 with registration number N8845E departed from New Orleans Moisant Field, bound for John WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout John F Kennedy International Airport is an International airport located in Queens County on Long Island in southeastern New York City about 12 miles (19 The official cause of the accident was a sudden high rate of descent, caused by severe downdrafts from the thunderstorm, and the continued use of that runway by both flight crews and ATC, after they became aware of the location of that hazardous weather. The aircraft hit a motorcyclist on impact, and ABA basketball star Wendell Ladner was one of the passengers killed in the crash. Most of the deceased were killed by fire after impact rather than the crash itself. The two flight attendants in the rear of the plane survived the fire because they were doused with the liquid contents of the rear lavatories, which kept them alive. The aircraft that landed on the same runway just prior to EAL Flight 66 was another Eastern aircraft, an L-1011, that managed to fight through the wind shear by having both pilots put their feet on the instrument panel and pulling back on the wheel with all of their strength. After landing, they radioed the tower to close that runway, but it was too late for EAL Flight 66.

Flight 980

On January 1, 1985, Eastern Air Lines Flight 980 (a Boeing 727) struck Mount Illimani on a flight from Silvio Pettirossi International Airport in Asunción, Paraguay, to El Alto International Airport in La Paz, Bolivia. New Year See also New Year The Ancient Romans began their consular year on January 1st since 153 BC Year 1985 ( MCMLXXXV) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link displays 1985 Gregorian calendar) On January 1, 1985, Eastern Air Lines Flight 980 (a Boeing 727) struck Mount Illimani at an altitude of 19600 feet WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout Illimani (from Aimara, meaning "golden eagle" is the highest Mountain in the Cordillera Real (part of the Cordillera Oriental, a subrange Silvio Pettirossi International Airport is Paraguay 's main national and international gateway located at Luque, suburb of the capital Asunción. Asunción (full name Nuestra Señora Santa María de la Asunción) population 1212112 (2002 is the Capital and largest city of Paraguay. El Alto International Airport is an International airport located in El Alto, near the city of La Paz, Bolivia; it serves national and Nuestra Señora de La Paz is the administrative Capital of Bolivia, as well as the departmental capital of La Paz Department. All 25 passengers and 4 crew were killed on impact.

Other facts and quotes of interest

References

  1. ^ Eastern Air Lines History
  2. ^ New airline could have famous name - Mass High Tech: The Journal of New England Technology:

External links

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