Air Florida 147821 219630281 2008-06-16T04:09:44Z Lightbot 7178666 Units/dates/other :''This article discusses the 1971-1984 airline. For the current carrier, see [[Air Florida Airlines]].'' {{Infobox_Airline | airline=Air Florida| logo=Logoairflorida.png| logo_size=100| IATA=QH| ICAO=FLA| callsign=PALM| parent=Air Florida, Inc.| founded=1971| ceased=1984| headquarters=[[Miami, FL]]| key_people=| hubs=[[Miami International Airport]]| frequent_flyer=| lounge=| alliance=| fleet_size=| destinations=| website=| }} [[Image:N62AF January 1982.jpg|thumb|right|Air Florida B737-222 N62AF, which later crashed operating [[Air Florida Flight 90]]]] '''Air Florida''' was an [[United States|American]] [[low-cost carrier]] that operated from 1971 to 1984. ==History== '''Air Florida''' was a small [[United States|U.S.]] and international [[airline]] based out of [[Miami International Airport]]. It started operations in 1972, after being formed in 1971. Initial aircraft included the [[Boeing 707]], later transitioning to the [[Lockheed L-188 Electra]] turboprop. Air Florida's fleet would grow to include the [[McDonnell Douglas DC-9]], [[Boeing 727]], [[Boeing 737]], and [[McDonnell Douglas DC-10]]. In addition to Air Florida having a large presence in the Northeast-to-Florida market during the 1970s and 1980s, the airline also expanded internationally and served various points in the [[Caribbean]] and [[South America]], as well as [[London]], [[Brussels]], [[Shannon International Airport|Shannon]] and [[Amsterdam]]. As with many airlines during the [[deregulation]] era, ''Air Florida'' expanded rapidly and began to incur heavy financial losses. The crash of [[Air Florida Flight 90]] in 1982 accelerated its demise and it declared bankruptcy and ceased operations on [[July 3]], [[1984]]. ==Flight 90 Accident== {{main|Air Florida Flight 90}} On [[January 13]], [[1982]], [[Air Florida Flight 90]] crashed into [[Washington, DC]]'s [[14th Street Bridge (I-395)|14th Street Bridge]] and fell into the [[Potomac River]] shortly after taking off. A total of 70 passengers and 4 crew died and four motorists on the bridge. The crash prompted modifications to Air Florida's pilot training regarding anti-ice systems. The FAA also required revised aircraft de-icing procedures at airports. ==Acquisition attempt and bankruptcy== Air Florida tried to buy out [[Western Airlines]] during the 1980s, to increase its presence in the [[Western United States|West]] and begin flights to [[Mexico]] and western [[Canada]]. The negotiations with Western got Air Florida 16 percent of the [[California]]-based company. Western was later absorbed by [[Delta Air Lines]]. Air Florida filed for [[bankruptcy]] and eventually folded on [[July 3]], [[1984]]. Its assets were acquired by [[Midway Airlines (ML)|Midway Airlines]].[http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9507E6DE1F38F936A2575BC0A963948260] ==Sponsorship== Air Florida sponsored [[Southampton F.C.|Southampton Football Club]], an [[England|English]] [[Football League]] side, during the [[1983-84 in English football|1983-84 season]], in which Southampton were league runners-up. The deal was cancelled after one season due to Air Florida's insolvency. ==Fleet== The airline operated the following: *[[Boeing 707]] *[[Boeing 727]] *[[Boeing 737]] *[[Douglas DC-9]] *[[Douglas DC-10]] *[[Lockheed L-188 Electra]] ==External links== *Airchive.com: [http://www.airchive.com/SITE%20PAGES/TIMETABLES-AIR%20FLORIDA.html Air Florida] timetable and route map images *timetableimages.com: [http://www.timetableimages.com/ttimages/qh.htm Air Florida] timetable and route map images *RoadstotheFuture.com: [http://www.roadstothefuture.com/AirFlorida_SubwayDis.html 14th Street Bridge, the Air Florida Crash, and Subway Disaster] [[Category:Defunct airlines of the United States]] [[Category:Airlines established in 1971]] [[Category:Airlines disestablished in 1984]] [[ja:エア・フロリダ]] [[no:Air Florida]]