Florida Express was an airline headquartered in Orlando, Florida, United States. Orlando International Airport (MCO) served as the airline's hub with a point-to-point linear route system in the eastern U.S. and Florida. Established in 1984, the air carrier operated a small fleet consisting exclusively of British Aircraft Corporation BAC One-Eleven twin jet aircraft and employed approximately 385 employees in 1985."World Airline Directory." Flight International. March 30, 1985. 78." Retrieved on June 17, 2009. It was incorporated in Delaware on January 24, 1983 and received its economic certificate from the Civil Aeronautics Board exactly a year later on January 24, 1984. First flight was January 26, 1984 and it was co-founded and led by Gordon Linkon, a former Midway Airlines president and Frontier Airlines executive.Florida Express From the Ground Up, Orlando Sentinel, July 9, 1984 The airline completed an initial public offering on October 16, 1985, raising $13mm.Florida Express stock stale misses target by $3 million, Orlando Sentinel, October 17, 1985 The airline's toll-free phone number was 1-800-FAST-JET.
On October 28, 1987, the second incarnation of Braniff announced its acquisition of Florida Express in a deal worth $20mm (over $50mm in 2024 dollars).Braniff, Florida Express announce merger plans, Orlando Sentinel, October 29, 1987 After government approvals, the deal closed on April 19, 1988.Florida Express no more - It's Braniff from now on, Orlando Sentinel, April 20, 1988 However, before the deal closed, from January 15, 1988 onward, Florida Express flew for Braniff under the name Braniff Express.Braniff, Florida Express have a date at the altar, Palm Beach Post, April 18, 1988
Fleet
1987-88 World Airline Fleets (copyright 1987) lists the Florida Express fleet as follows:
6 BAC 1-11-201AC 9 BAC 1-11-203AE 3 BAC 1-11-401AK 1 BAC 1-11-414AE
The 203AE series aircraft were originally delivered to Braniff International Airways, the US trunk carrier that ceased operation in 1982, a separate but related carrier from the Braniff that bought Florida Express.
Destinations As of January 1984:
Florida Fort Lauderdale (FLL) Miami (MIA) Orlando (MCO - Hub) Tampa (TPA) Indiana Indianapolis (IND) Kentucky Louisville (SDF) Tennessee Nashville (BNA) Virginia Norfolk (ORF) Richmond (RIC)
As of April 1986:
Alabama Birmingham (BHM) Florida Fort Lauderdale (FLL) Miami (MIA) Orlando (MCO - Hub) St. Petersburg/Clearwater/Tampa (PIE) West Palm Beach (PBI) Indiana Indianapolis (IND) Kentucky Cincinnati, Ohio (CVG) Louisville (SDF) Louisiana New Orleans (MSY) Ohio (for Cincinnati, see Kentucky) Columbus (CMH) Pennsylvania Harrisburg (MDT) Tennessee Knoxville (TYS) Nashville (BNA)
See also List of defunct airlines of the United States
References
External links
Florida Express BAC-1-11 photo: Florida Express TV commercial: braniffinternational.com Official Company Website Braniff Boutique Official Company Store Braniff Airways Foundation Braniff Flying Colors Historical Page