Air Florida

:This article discusses the 1971-1984 airline. For the current carrier, see Air Florida Airlines.

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Air Florida {{Airline codes|QH|FLA|Palm}} was a small U.S. and international airline based out of Miami International Airport. It started operations in 1972, after being formed in 1971.

Related Topics:
U.S. - Airline - Miami International Airport - 1972 - 1971

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Air Florida operated jet service between cities within Florida, but in 1978 it started flying beyond Florida and into other states. Air Florida was able to have a large presence on the Northeast-to-Florida market for quite some time during the 1970s and 1980s.

Related Topics:
Florida - 1978 - 1970s - 1980s

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It also operated international services to various points in the Caribbean as well as to London, Brussels, Shannon and Amsterdam from Miami.

Related Topics:
Caribbean - London - Brussels - Shannon - Amsterdam - Miami

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On January 13, 1982, Air Florida Flight 90 crashed into Washington, DC's 14th Street Bridge and fell into the Potomac River shortly after taking off. A total of 70 passengers and 4 crew died, as well as four motorists; only four passengers and one crew member survived. It was discovered that the cause of the crash was that the plane's engines had been frozen by the snow just prior to the crash. Despite the freezing weather and snowy conditions, the crew failed to activate the anti-ice systems. Radio personality Howard Stern became infamous when, while hosting his show on station DC101, he phoned Air Florida and asked what was the fare for a one-way ticket from National Airport to the 14th Street Bridge.

Related Topics:
January 13 - 1982 - Air Florida Flight 90 - Washington, DC - 14th Street Bridge - Potomac River - Howard Stern - Station - DC101

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Air Florida tried several times to buy out Western Airlines during the 1980s, to increase their presence in the West and begin flights to Mexico and western Canada. However, the negotiations with Western, which later was absorbed by Delta Air Lines, only got Air Florida 16 percent of the California-based company. After it filed for bankruptcy, Air Florida eventually folded on July 3, 1984. Its assets were acquired by Midway Airlines.

Related Topics:
Western Airlines - West - Mexico - Canada - Delta Air Lines - California - Bankruptcy - July 3 - 1984 - Midway Airlines

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The airline operated such types as the Boeing 707, McDonnell Douglas DC-9 and DC-10, Boeing 727s and Lockheed Electras along with the 737 jets.

Related Topics:
Boeing 707 - McDonnell Douglas - DC-9 - DC-10 - Boeing 727 - Lockheed Electra

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