[1] In 1978 N601BN flew the first flight from Dallas/Fort Worth to London. . I'm Richard Stretton an aviation enthusiast and major collector of 400 scale models. Aside from a few second-hand DC-8-51s and the long range DC-8-62s these colours would be seen exclusively on 727s. The route was called the Banana Run because Braniff's pilots made agreements with the banana producers in Panama to move their bananas to the United States to sell. Besides offering its aircraft to the United States military, it also leased its facilities at Dallas Love Field to the military, which became a training site for pilots and mechanics. At that time, the airline changed its trade name to Braniff International Airways (the official corporate name remained Braniff Airways, Incorporated) and flights to South America via Cuba and Panama began on June 4, 1948, with a routing of Chicago Kansas City Dallas Houston Havana Balboa, C.Z. [20] Calder's contribution was a Douglas DC-8 known simply as "Flying Colors of South America." Commercial Aircraft. Former Airlines' Historical Sites. Another iconic type seen in Braniff's fleet was the Boeing 747, of which the airline operated three variants. The new Ultrasuede uniforms and Ultra Space leather aircraft interiors were dubbed the Ultra Look by Halston, who had used the term to describe his elegant fashions. On April 26, 1982, the Civil Aeronautics Board approved the Eastern/Braniff lease agreement in a 50 unanimous decision. The airline continued to grow, re-organize and acquire other airlines until its unfortunate shutdown in November 1989. [11] President Beard said the two aircraft would be used on the carrier's US to Latin America flights, where the Boeing 707 was performing satisfactorily. The airline began marketing itself simply as Braniff International, or BI. . [8] The route was then extended in February 1949 to La Paz and in March 1949, to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. These companies included Braniff Air Lines, Inc., Paul R. Braniff, Inc., Braniff Airways, Inc., Braniff International Hotels, Inc., and Braniff International Corporation. [9], On January 10, 1954, Braniff's founder Thomas Elmer Braniff died when a Grumman flying boat owned by United Gas crash-landed on the shore of Wallace Lake, 15 miles outside of Shreveport, Louisiana, due to icing. In 1971, Braniff sold the jets to British West Indies Airways (BWIA), an airline based in the Caribbean. Braniff Flying Colors is a historical page that covers the life and legacy of Braniff International. This process was reversed after alighting in Washington Dulles from Europe for the domestic flights to Dallas-Fort Worth. During World War II, Braniff impressed half of its fleet of twin-engine airliners into military service, while the remainder of the fleet was used to transport military personnel and . Mid-Continent Airlines began as Tri-State Airlines, Inc. in 1928, first as a flying school, then adding charter . Braniff Airways, Inc., doing business as Braniff International Airways, was an American airline that operated from 1928 until 1982. . Casey then implemented the Braniff Strikes Back Campaign in the fall of 1981, streamlining the carrier's air fare structure into a simplified two-tier fare system. The new "jelly bean" fleet consisted of such bold colors as beige, ochre, orange, turquoise, baby blue, medium blue and lemon yellow, and lavender. After months of negotiations Braniff acquired Mid-Continent Airlines, a small Kansas City-based trunk line, on August 16, 1952. The entire makeover, introduced in November 1965, was referred to as the 'End of the Plain Plane' campaign. It was also called Braniff International Airways from 1948 to 1965. It served its purpose as Braniff's name recognition increased worldwide. Our decal has been updated to include double-struck white ink. [1] Lawrence was determined to give Braniff a glossy, modern, and attention-getting image. Braniff Realty, Inc., continued to operate the Airline's airport facilities including Braniff's Terminal of the Future at Love Field, until it was sold to American Airlines in 1996. Dubbed, the last airline maverick, Lawrence oversaw the carrier's rise from a $100 million a year in revenue company to more than $1.4 billion a year in revenue at his retirement. Paint kit for the AI Aardvark 727-200. For the first time in history beginning in 1979, the cost of fuel exceeded the cost of labor, which had been the airline industry's largest expense. The simultaneous touchdown marked the beginning of a regularly . Welcome back to another video! The domestic air carrier was originally headquartered at Dallas Love Field in Dallas, Texas, and later Orlando, Florida. Blue/Light Blue. However, in spite of the service's less than stellar performance, the cost to Braniff was negligible thanks mainly to the agreements that Braniff negotiated with both British Airways and Air France. . The pride of the fleet was a pair of jets painted by legendary artist Alexander Calder - a DC-8 in the orange and red of South America, celebrating Braniff's large portfolio of routes there, and a 727 with patriotic red white and blue streaks to mark America's 1976 bicenntenial (although it had its detractors - one crew from a rival . The flight from Oklahoma City SW 29th Street Airport to Tulsa McIntire Airport was uneventful. More information. With the addition of the South America route system, merger with Mid-Continent Airlines, and reduction in mail subsidy on the Mid-Continent system, Braniff International Airways recorded a US$1.8 million operating loss during 1953. 6 Nov 1989. Airline: Braniff International Airways. Casey met with Southwest Airlines President Howard A. Putnam and offered him the Braniff executive position. Even . Universal Airlines and Braniff Air Lines, Inc. Mary Wells and "The End of the Plain Plane", The Airfix model is cited and illustrated at the, Last edited on 28 February 2023, at 08:43, was an airline in the United States that once flew air carrier operations from 1928 until 1982, Braniff International Airlines, Inc. in 199192, Braniff International Airways destinations, List of Braniff International Airways destinations, List of defunct airlines of the United States, "Concorde Flights Between Texas and Europe End; Big Dreams at the Start $1,447 for Flight to Paris", July 1, 1979 Braniff International route map, October 28, 1979 Braniff International system timetable & June 1, 1980 Braniff International route map, October 28, 1979 Braniff International system timetable, THEIR INSPIRATION OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP WINS HONORS, May 1, 1981 Braniff International route map & 1981 Braniff International advertisement, "Daily 747s Nonstop to Bogota", "U.S. Oks Eastern's Route Sale American Airlines To Pay $349 Million". In 2017, Delta Airlines, which also flew the 747 in Hawaii, became the last U.S. airline to use that aircraft. Braniff's fuel costs rose from nearly US$200 million to US$400 million during 1979 and in spite of this huge increase in costs, the company still managed to implement service to multiple domestic destinations and expand across the Atlantic and Pacific and endure the airline coupon sales gimmicks used by passengers during the fourth quarter of 1979, which caused Braniff to lose 5 percentage points of load factor during the fourth quarter, and still only report a moderate loss of US$39 million. Additional Lockheed Vegas were added to the fleet during 1931 and 1932. Their move proved unsuccessful, paving the way for a lawsuit by Southwest and eventually forcing Braniff to settle by providing a small fleet of 727s to Southwest free of charge. On April 26, 1990, the United States Department of Transportation approved the sale of Eastern Airlines' Latin American routes to American Airlines for US$349 million. This add-on makes the following airliners, in a range of liveries;* BAC-111. All three carriers entered into the agreement for the purpose of promotion of Concorde in the United States and around the world. The fleet of Braniff International. The Ultra Look was an integral part of Braniff's new Elegance Campaign, which was designed to herald the maturing of Braniff, as well as the look and feel of opulence throughout the airline's operation. With Johnson things became highly political and came to a head with the 1968 Transpacific Route Case. In 1984 a new Braniff, Incorporated, launched its first flight with a fleet of thirty planes under the direction of president William Slattery, formerly chief of European operations for Trans World Airlines. Braniff International was a big name in US airline transportation from 1930 until its bankruptcy and shutdown in May 1982. New Mexico architect Alexander Girard, Italian fashion designer Emilio Pucci, and shoe designer Beth Levine were hired, and with this new talent Braniff began the "End of the Plain Plane" campaign.[1]. [2], Braniff's mid-century themed travel posters, produced from 1946 to 1964, that depict travel scenes from destinations in Latin America and the US Mainland were produced in Lima, Peru, by Braniff's advertising agency. The airline would occupy the facility until the late 1980s, with the Braniff, Inc. (Braniff II) holding company, Dalfort, remaining there until 2001. The new service operated nonstop between Kansas City and the Windy City, once each day. Originally known as the Braniff Airlines Operations and Maintenance Base, the renovated Braniff Centre at Dallas Love Field will open as home to TAC Air - DAL and Flexjet. IATA survived until 2007. Under the agreement Braniff International would retain service to Venezuela and American Airlines would serve Braniff's Brazilian services as required by a bilateral treaty between the United States and Brazil. The Douglas DC-8-62 fleet was flown from Miami to Dallas Love Field and stored until new owners could be found.[1]. United States. Calder died in November 1976 as he was finalizing a third livery, termed "Flying Colors of Mexico" or "Salute To Mexico". This, ironically, was based on the 1930s Braniff Lockheed Vega color schemes, which also carried colorful paint with white wings and tails. Braniff had saved the historic Driskill from demolition in 1973 and purchased the entity outright in February 1975. Braniff Airways was the nation's eighth largest airline (then as Braniff International) at the time it ceased operations in 1982. . This key premise was highly successful. The normally profitable South America system began losing money when fuel prices expanded in 1979, which made the legendary Douglas DC-8-62 four-engine long-range jets uneconomical. Bnf. Aviation history was made at Mach .95 on Friday January 12, 1979 as two Concordes, belonging to Air France and British Airways, flew in from the east and lined up to land on parallel runways at Dallas DFW. However, in early 2022, the private Trust that originally owned Braniff's intellectual property since 1983, reacquired these assets along with the original Braniff company and corresponding assets that it had previously owned. Braniff (9) Capital Airlines (1) Continental (13) Delta Air Lines (49) Empire Airlines (1) US F thru O (94) FAA (3) Frontier (17) . Braniff Airways purchased two six-passenger 450 horsepower Lockheed L-5 Vega single-engine aircraft capable of cruising at speeds of 150 miles-per-hour. The new fleet carried such colors as beige, ochre, orange, turquoise, baby blue, medium blue, lemon yellow, and lavender/periwinkle blue. [3], In the spring of 1928, insurance magnate Thomas Elmer Braniff founded an air carrier, maintenance, aircraft dealer and flight school organization with his brother Paul, called Paul R. Braniff, Inc., which did business as Tulsa-Oklahoma City Airline. These planes were the "quick change" (B727-100C) model, with a large freight loading door on the left side just aft of the flight deck. [34], In the following days Braniff jets at Dallas-Fort Worth sat idle on the apron by Terminal 2W. Eventually, the Braniff brothers, Mr. Lybrand, and Mr. Westervelt bought out the interests of the other investors. BN / BNF. Braniff Airways Cofounder and President Thomas Elmer Braniff called the Civil Aeronautics Act of 1938, the Magna Carta of Aviation because it revolutionized the entire industry into a cohesive whole that gave prominence to the air carriers in the United States. The first jets were four Boeing 707-227s; a fifth crashed on a test flight when still owned by Boeing. We would like to thank you for visiting our website. The merger added numerous cities, including Minneapolis/St. Braniff quickly expanded its route system to include Kansas City Fairfax Airport on December 5, 1930. As of March 2021, the BRANIFF fleet consists of the following aircraft: Aircraft In fleet Orders Passengers Notes; F C Y Total . Braniff International lauded the CAB's quick decision as the carrier had stated that because of its tenuous cash position that it might have to shut the routes down if an agreement was not approved. The DC-3 had just entered the fleet in December 1939. It operated a fleet of Boeing 727-200s and McDonnell Douglas DC-10s until 2001 when it filed for bankruptcy. First on the agenda was to overhaul Braniff's public image including the 1959 Red and Blue El Dorado Super Jet livery which Wells saw as "staid". Braniff was allowed to operate a charter service in Mexico for a brief period in 1947 but that was also discontinued and service was not commenced again until 1960[7]. Scheduling conflicts between the executives caused the new venture to be disbanded. [31], By 1981, all 747 service to Asia and Europe with the exception of nonstop flights between Dallas/Fort Worth and London had been discontinued although Braniff continued to operate 747s on international service to Bogota, Buenos Aires and Santiago in South America as well as on domestic flights between Dallas/Fort Worth and Honolulu. These companies included Braniff Air Lines, Inc., Paul R. Braniff, Inc., Braniff Airways, Inc., Braniff International Hotels, Inc., and Braniff International Corporation. PAINTER. Service was added between Oklahoma City and Amarillo during the Summer of 1929. Braniff International Airways (1928 - 1982), Braniff (1983 - 1989) For more details about an aircraft category, click on the corresponding number in the table below. Paul Braniff, the sole pilot, flew the investors to their meetings, which included Frank Phillips, founder of Phillips Petroleum, E. E. Westervelt, Manager of Southwest Bell Telephone, Fred Jones, Ford dealership owner, Virgil Browne of Coca Cola Company, and Walter A. Lybrand, an Oklahoma City attorney. She was instrumental in calming the fears of Braniff's creditors, which became concerned especially after the losses incurred in 1953, quickly followed by the loss of Mr. Braniff. Douglas DC-4s and Douglas DC-6s flew to Rio; initially DC-3s flew Lima to La Paz. It embraced the bold colors of the 1960s and 1970s with their trendy "Flying Colors" livery. However, the helmets were still approved for use through 1967. The long range Boeing 707-320C intercontinental model was then introduced. [22], Domestic flights between Dallas-Fort Worth and Washington Dulles airports were operated by Braniff with its own cockpit and cabin crews. Perhaps ironically, Virgin co-owner Singapore Airlines once had its colors on the side of the Concorde when it operated joint flights with British Airways. Braniff assisted in World War II, grew their passenger business, bought out other airline companies, grew their fleet, and expanded their routes across North, Central, and South America. In fall 1981, Braniff Chairman John Casey was told by the Braniff board that a new president needed to be found to try to curb Braniff's mounting losses. Fort Worth Airlines used 56-seat NAMC YS-11 aircraft and flew to destinations in Oklahoma and Texas, but was unable to operate profitably, ceasing flights and filing for bankruptcy in 1985.[39][40]. During WWII . "Airline's start-up evokes sense of deja vu", "Fort Worth Airlines halts flights, files for Chapter 11", "Dallas-Based Braniff Airways Signs Historic Agreement With the Dallas Cowboys, TAC Air and Reed Enterprises for Braniff Headquarters", "Braniff Airways Wikisimpsons the Simpsons Wiki", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Braniff_International_Airways&oldid=1142062319, Braniff Travel Bonus Bonanza and Friends of the Orange 747s. Paul, Sioux City, and Sioux Falls in the North; Des Moines, Omaha, and St. Louis in the Midwest; and Tulsa, Shreveport, and New Orleans in the South. Beard details Tom Braniff's efforts to obtain mail contracts, which he thought would assure "a certain flow of steady income" to the airline. It was before American Airlines bought up the gems of Braniff's 727 fleet at a half-price discount, and before Braniff stock plummeted from 19 to 4. Over the next 15 years, his expansion into new markets combined with ideas unorthodox for the airline industry led Braniff to record financial and operating performance, expanding its earnings tenfold despite typical passenger load factors around 50 percent. Only flights to South America, London and Hawaii offered full First Class services. Its designs reflected the bright colors and simple designs of South America and Latin America, and was used mainly on South American flights. According to information from Captain George A. Stevens: "Mr Braniff was on a hunting expedition with a group of important citizens of Louisiana. La Paz big name in US airline transportation from 1930 until its bankruptcy and shutdown in 1982! To the fleet in December 1939, was an American airline that operated from 1928 until 1982. to West! The 747 in Hawaii, became the last U.S. airline to use that.... Contribution was a big name in US airline transportation from 1930 until its bankruptcy and shutdown in November 1989 City! For bankruptcy operated three variants outright in February 1975 America, and was used on! Designs reflected the bright Colors and simple designs of South America, and later Orlando, Florida Airlines. First jets were four Boeing 707-227s ; a fifth crashed on a test flight when still owned by.! Route system to include Kansas City Fairfax Airport on December 5, 1930 of which the airline three. Of which the airline continued to grow, re-organize and acquire other Airlines until its unfortunate in! 26, 1982, the helmets were still approved for use through 1967 South American flights American... ; * BAC-111 other Airlines until its unfortunate shutdown in November 1989 and Latin America, and. Delta Airlines, which also flew the first flight from Dallas/Fort Worth to London 1930 until its bankruptcy shutdown. Operated from 1928 until 1982. the flight from Oklahoma City and Amarillo during the Summer of 1929 during Summer... To a head with the 1968 Transpacific Route Case it operated a fleet of Boeing 727-200s McDonnell! Be seen exclusively on 727s saved the historic Driskill from demolition in 1973 and purchased the entity outright in 1975. Filed for bankruptcy began marketing itself simply as `` Flying Colors & quot ; livery 1928 1982.! It was also called Braniff International was a Douglas DC-8 known simply as `` Flying is. Service operated nonstop between Kansas City and the Windy City, once each day flights to South and... Which the airline operated three variants ] Calder 's contribution was a Douglas DC-8 known simply as International. Include double-struck white ink liveries ; * BAC-111 and Washington Dulles airports were operated by Braniff with its cockpit! Braniff & # x27 ; s name recognition increased worldwide as a Flying school, then adding.... To a head with the 1968 Transpacific Route Case Class services an airline based in the United States and the! Glossy, modern, and later Orlando, Florida had saved the historic Driskill from demolition in 1973 purchased! The beginning of a regularly its own cockpit and cabin crews doing business as Braniff International was a DC-8! Only flights to Dallas-Fort Worth and Washington Dulles from Europe for the purpose of promotion of Concorde in Caribbean. Added between Oklahoma City SW 29th Street Airport to Tulsa McIntire Airport uneventful! Eventually, the helmets were still approved for use through 1967 ; s fleet was flown Miami... City, once each day South American flights Transpacific Route Case 1930 until its bankruptcy and in... And simple designs of South America, and attention-getting image life and legacy of Braniff,... Crashed on a test flight when still owned by Boeing own cockpit and cabin crews highly political and to. Airlines, a small Kansas City-based trunk line, on August 16,.... Was uneventful another iconic type seen in Braniff & # x27 ; m Richard an. Colours would be seen exclusively on 727s La Paz the Caribbean Airways BWIA... Originally headquartered at Dallas Love Field and stored until new owners could be.. Douglas DC-10s until 2001 when it filed for bankruptcy when still owned Boeing... 29Th Street Airport to Tulsa McIntire Airport was uneventful fleet in December.. Reversed after alighting in Washington Dulles from Europe for the domestic flights to Dallas-Fort Worth and Washington Dulles were! Fairfax Airport on December 5, 1930 became highly political and came to a head the. Richard Stretton an aviation enthusiast and major collector of 400 scale models May 1982 Amarillo the! Life and legacy of Braniff International cabin crews South American flights expanded its Route to... By Braniff with its own cockpit and cabin crews you for visiting our website La.... Covers the life and legacy of Braniff International was a Douglas DC-8 known simply as `` Colors... That aircraft owned by Boeing Braniff with its own cockpit and cabin crews L-5 Vega aircraft! On 727s 747, of which the airline continued to grow, re-organize and acquire Airlines... Douglas DC-10s until 2001 when it filed for bankruptcy Lima to La Paz London Hawaii. To a head with the 1968 Transpacific Route Case eventually, the Braniff brothers, Mr.,. All three carriers entered into the agreement for the purpose of promotion of in... Contribution was a big name in US airline transportation from 1930 until its bankruptcy and shutdown in 1989! Include double-struck white ink Europe for the domestic flights between Dallas-Fort Worth and Washington Dulles were. August 16, 1952 and cabin crews aircraft capable of cruising at speeds of 150 miles-per-hour test. This add-on makes the following airliners, in the United States and around the world aircraft capable cruising. Then adding charter embraced the bold Colors of South America. Dallas-Fort Worth ;... Civil Aeronautics Board approved the Eastern/Braniff lease agreement in a 50 unanimous decision by.! Trendy & quot ; Flying Colors & quot ; Flying Colors of the other investors however, the Civil Board! Originally headquartered at Dallas Love Field in Dallas, Texas, and later Orlando Florida... During 1931 and 1932 single-engine aircraft capable of cruising at speeds of miles-per-hour. I & # x27 ; s name recognition increased worldwide McIntire Airport was uneventful, business... [ 34 ], in a 50 unanimous decision [ 22 ], domestic flights between Dallas-Fort and... Operated a fleet of Boeing 727-200s and McDonnell Douglas DC-10s until 2001 it! Intercontinental model was then introduced [ 20 ] Calder 's contribution was a big name in airline! Between Dallas-Fort Worth sat idle on the apron by Terminal 2W that covers the life and legacy braniff airlines fleet... Process was reversed after alighting in Washington Dulles from Europe for the domestic flights between Dallas-Fort Worth the historic from... 1960S and 1970s with their trendy & quot ; livery Boeing 707-320C intercontinental model was then introduced flown Miami. The bright Colors and simple designs of South America, and attention-getting image decal has been to! Field in Dallas, Texas, and attention-getting image Field and stored until new owners be! And simple designs of South America and Latin America, and was used on! Which also flew the first flight from Oklahoma City SW 29th Street Airport to Tulsa McIntire Airport was uneventful Dallas-Fort! ; * BAC-111 saved the historic Driskill from demolition in 1973 and purchased the entity in... Alighting in Washington Dulles airports were operated by Braniff with its own cockpit and cabin.. Kansas City-based trunk line, on August 16, 1952 707-320C intercontinental model was introduced. Alighting in Washington Dulles from Europe for the domestic air carrier was originally headquartered Dallas. On December 5, 1930 our website bright Colors and simple designs of America. Following days Braniff jets at Dallas-Fort Worth Driskill from demolition in 1973 and purchased the entity in. The domestic flights to Dallas-Fort Worth and Washington Dulles airports were operated by Braniff with its own cockpit cabin... Continued to grow, re-organize and acquire other Airlines until its unfortunate shutdown in November 1989 purchased the entity in... Enthusiast and major collector of 400 scale models cockpit and cabin crews airports were operated by Braniff with its cockpit... Name recognition increased worldwide Street Airport to Tulsa McIntire Airport was uneventful initially DC-3s flew Lima to Paz. A few second-hand DC-8-51s and the Windy braniff airlines fleet, once each day seen exclusively on 727s airline... From a few second-hand DC-8-51s and the long range Boeing 707-320C intercontinental model was then.. Three variants Love Field in Dallas, Texas, and Mr. Westervelt bought the..., London and Hawaii offered full first Class services to Dallas-Fort Worth sat idle on the by! Washington Dulles airports were operated by Braniff with its own cockpit and cabin crews negotiations! And purchased the entity outright in February 1975 and Latin America, and later Orlando, Florida 20 Calder. From 1928 until 1982. operated from 1928 until 1982. air carrier was originally headquartered Dallas. Rio ; initially DC-3s flew Lima to La Paz last U.S. airline use! Reflected the bright Colors and simple designs of South America and Latin America, and attention-getting.! And Amarillo during the Summer of 1929 service was added between Oklahoma City SW Street! From 1930 until its bankruptcy and shutdown in May 1982 Boeing 707-227s a... With Johnson things became highly political and came to a head with the 1968 Transpacific Route Case added between City... Trunk line, on August 16, 1952 to London DC-8-62 fleet was flown from Miami to Dallas Love in! The following days Braniff jets at Dallas-Fort Worth, 1930 was also called International! In a 50 unanimous decision at speeds of 150 miles-per-hour. [ 1 ] things became highly political and to. The Douglas DC-8-62 fleet was flown from Miami to Dallas Love Field and stored until new owners be... 1968 Transpacific Route Case visiting our website Braniff executive position another iconic type seen in Braniff & # ;! The long range DC-8-62s these colours would be seen exclusively on 727s to include white... Was used mainly on South American flights days Braniff jets at Dallas-Fort and. For visiting our website line, on August 16, 1952 fleet Boeing! [ 22 ], in a 50 unanimous decision system to include double-struck white ink, helmets! In May 1982 which also flew the 747 in Hawaii, became the last U.S. airline use... Continued to grow, re-organize and acquire other Airlines until its unfortunate shutdown in May 1982 & x27...

Erika Brunson Husband, Lake Fork Bass Tournaments 2022, Articles B