Braniff (1983-1990)
Encyclopedia
Braniff Inc. was an American airline
, originally headquartered in Dallas, Texas
and later headquartered in Orlando, Florida
. It was partially formed from the assets of Braniff International Airways
.
Corporation reorganized the company, and the airline flew again domestically.
Jay Pritzker
, of Hyatt
Hotels, was behind the reorganization of Braniff International and brought it out of bankruptcy in December 1983. Braniff Airways, Inc., was then changed to "Dalfort Corporation" and a "new" Braniff, named Braniff, Inc., was formed as a subsidiary of "Dalfort." Ron Ridgeway was named president.
Braniff Inc. moved its administrative offices into the former Dallas Love Field-area headquarters of Braniff International Airways
, located in the City of Dallas.
Braniff's slogan "Best Low Fare in the Air" reflected its vision of offering low-cost, unrestricted fares on every flight, every day. All seats on the planes were leather and only one class of service was offered---no business or first class. By 1988, Braniff had chosen Kansas City as its main hub and was flying over 70 flights per day out of Kansas City International Airport. Actor Wilford Brimley became somewhat of a spokesperson with his "Dance With the One that Brung Ya" commercials for Braniff.
In 1988, the debts were starting to collect. It ordered Fokker F100
aircraft but could never be delivered because of a backup from fellow American carriers American Airlines
and US Airways
. However, 50 Airbus Industrie A320 aircraft orders were taken over from Pan Am, and in 1989 the first two were introduced and proved very expensive. In order to increase their presence in the Florida market, the airline bought the Orlando-based Florida Express Airlines and assumed operation of their routes and British Aerospace
BAC 1-11 aircraft. Braniff was again operating some of the same aircraft they disposed of in the 1960s. In 1988 Braniff moved its headquarters from Dallas, Texas, to Orlando, Florida.
In 1989, the airline filed for bankruptcy protection. In November 1989 the airline suspended airline operations. Braniff finally ceased operations at the end of December 1990. A buyer was sought, but never found. The company then agreed to liquidate all assets in three separate auctions. America West Airlines
bought and flew the A320s that were delivered to Braniff. Braniff, Inc. existed until 1998, when Joe Mitchell, Keith Rosenberg, and four other employees closed the airline's files.
Airline
An airline provides air transport services for traveling passengers and freight. Airlines lease or own their aircraft with which to supply these services and may form partnerships or alliances with other airlines for mutual benefit...
, originally headquartered in Dallas, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
and later headquartered in Orlando, Florida
Orlando, Florida
Orlando is a city in the central region of the U.S. state of Florida. It is the county seat of Orange County, and the center of the Greater Orlando metropolitan area. According to the 2010 US Census, the city had a population of 238,300, making Orlando the 79th largest city in the United States...
. It was partially formed from the assets of Braniff International Airways
Braniff International Airways
Braniff International Airways was an American airline that operated from 1928 until 1982, primarily in the midwestern and southwestern U.S., South America, Panama, and in its later years also Asia and Europe...
.
History
In 1984, the HyattHyatt
Hyatt Hotels Corporation , is an international operator of hotels.Hyatt Center is the headquarters for Hyatt corporation...
Corporation reorganized the company, and the airline flew again domestically.
Jay Pritzker
Jay Pritzker
Jay Arthur Pritzker was an American entrepreneur and conglomerate organizer.-Biography:Pritzker was born in Chicago, Illinois, the son of Fanny and A. N. Pritzker. His brother was Robert Pritzker...
, of Hyatt
Hyatt
Hyatt Hotels Corporation , is an international operator of hotels.Hyatt Center is the headquarters for Hyatt corporation...
Hotels, was behind the reorganization of Braniff International and brought it out of bankruptcy in December 1983. Braniff Airways, Inc., was then changed to "Dalfort Corporation" and a "new" Braniff, named Braniff, Inc., was formed as a subsidiary of "Dalfort." Ron Ridgeway was named president.
Braniff Inc. moved its administrative offices into the former Dallas Love Field-area headquarters of Braniff International Airways
Braniff International Airways
Braniff International Airways was an American airline that operated from 1928 until 1982, primarily in the midwestern and southwestern U.S., South America, Panama, and in its later years also Asia and Europe...
, located in the City of Dallas.
Braniff's slogan "Best Low Fare in the Air" reflected its vision of offering low-cost, unrestricted fares on every flight, every day. All seats on the planes were leather and only one class of service was offered---no business or first class. By 1988, Braniff had chosen Kansas City as its main hub and was flying over 70 flights per day out of Kansas City International Airport. Actor Wilford Brimley became somewhat of a spokesperson with his "Dance With the One that Brung Ya" commercials for Braniff.
In 1988, the debts were starting to collect. It ordered Fokker F100
Fokker F100
The Fokker 100 is a medium size twin-turbofan airliner from the Fokker company. Low operational costs and almost no competition in the 100-seat short-range class made it a best seller when it was introduced in the late 1980s, but decayed due to increasing competition. Production ended in 1997 with...
aircraft but could never be delivered because of a backup from fellow American carriers American Airlines
American Airlines
American Airlines, Inc. is the world's fourth-largest airline in passenger miles transported and operating revenues. American Airlines is a subsidiary of the AMR Corporation and is headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas adjacent to its largest hub at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport...
and US Airways
US Airways
US Airways, Inc. is a major airline based in the U.S. city of Tempe, Arizona. The airline is an operating unit of US Airways Group and is the sixth largest airline by traffic and eighth largest by market value in the country....
. However, 50 Airbus Industrie A320 aircraft orders were taken over from Pan Am, and in 1989 the first two were introduced and proved very expensive. In order to increase their presence in the Florida market, the airline bought the Orlando-based Florida Express Airlines and assumed operation of their routes and British Aerospace
British Aerospace
British Aerospace plc was a UK aircraft, munitions and defence-systems manufacturer. Its head office was in the Warwick House in the Farnborough Aerospace Centre in Farnborough, Hampshire...
BAC 1-11 aircraft. Braniff was again operating some of the same aircraft they disposed of in the 1960s. In 1988 Braniff moved its headquarters from Dallas, Texas, to Orlando, Florida.
In 1989, the airline filed for bankruptcy protection. In November 1989 the airline suspended airline operations. Braniff finally ceased operations at the end of December 1990. A buyer was sought, but never found. The company then agreed to liquidate all assets in three separate auctions. America West Airlines
America West Airlines
America West Airlines corporate offices were in Tempe, Arizona and the main hub was at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. The airline became part of the US Airways Group after a merger in 2005....
bought and flew the A320s that were delivered to Braniff. Braniff, Inc. existed until 1998, when Joe Mitchell, Keith Rosenberg, and four other employees closed the airline's files.
See also
- Braniff International AirwaysBraniff International AirwaysBraniff International Airways was an American airline that operated from 1928 until 1982, primarily in the midwestern and southwestern U.S., South America, Panama, and in its later years also Asia and Europe...
- Braniff (1991-1992)Braniff (1991-1992)Braniff International Airlines, Inc. was an airline formed in 1991. It was headquartered in the Dallas, Texas, area but owned by BIA-COR Holdings Inc., a Philadelphia real estate and subsequent airline holding company....
External links
- BraniffPages.com history of Braniff by Brooke Watts