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{{short description|Defunct airline of the United States (1980—1987)}}
{{Short description|Defunct low-cost airline of the United States (1980–1987)}}
{{more citations needed|date=January 2013}}
{{more citations needed|date=January 2013}}
{{Infobox airline
{{Infobox airline
| airline = New York Air
| airline = New York Air
| image = New York Air logo.png
| logo = New York Air logo.png
| image_size = 200|
| logo_size = 200
| alt =
| alt =
| IATA = NY
| IATA = NY
| ICAO = NYA
| ICAO = NYA
| callsign = APPLE
| callsign = APPLE
| founded = {{start date|1980|09||mf=y}}
| founded = {{start date and age|1980|09|br=y}}
| commenced =
| commenced =
| ceased = {{end date|1987|02|01|mf=y}}<br />(merged into [[Continental Airlines]])
| ceased = {{end date and age|1987|02|01|mf=y|br=y}}<br />{{small|(merged into [[Continental Airlines]])}}
| aoc =
| aoc =
| bases =
| bases =
| hubs = [[LaGuardia Airport]]
| hubs = {{ubl|class=nowrap
| [[LaGuardia Airport|New York–LaGuardia]] {{small|(1980–1987)}}
| secondary_hubs =
| [[Raleigh–Durham International Airport|Raleigh/Durham]] {{small|(1983–1985)}}
| focus_cities =
| [[Washington Dulles International Airport|Washington–Dulles]] {{small|(1985–1987)}}}}
| frequent_flyer =
| lounge =
| secondary_hubs =
| alliance =
| focus_cities =
| subsidiaries =
| frequent_flyer =
| fleet_size =
| lounge =
| destinations =
| alliance =
| company_slogan =
| subsidiaries =
| fleet_size =
| parent = {{nowrap|[[Texas Air Corporation]] (1980—1987)}}
| destinations =
| headquarters = [[Queens, New York]], U.S.
| company_slogan =
| key_people = {{Unbulleted list
| parent = {{nowrap|[[Texas Air Corporation]] {{small|(1980–1987)}}}}
| Neal F. Meehan<br />(1980—1982)
| headquarters = Hangar 5, [[LaGuardia Airport]] <br />[[Flushing, Queens, New York|Flushing]], [[Queens]], [[New York City]], [[New York (state)|New York]], [[United States|U.S.]]
| Michael E. Levine<br />(1982—1984)
| key_people = {{ubl|class=nowrap
| Douglas C. Birdsall<br />(1985—1987)
| [[Frank Lorenzo]]
}}
| Neal F. Meehan {{small|(1980–1982)}}
| [[Michael E. Levine]] {{small|(1982–1984)}}
| Douglas C. Birdsall {{small|(1985–1987)}}}}
| website =
| website =
}}
}}

[[File:New York Air Boeing 737-300.jpg|thumb|A portrait of New York Air's aircraft N63305]]
[[File:New York Air Boeing 737-300.jpg|thumb|A portrait of New York Air's aircraft N63305]]
'''New York Air''' was a [[low-cost airline]] in the [[United States]] owned by [[Texas Air Corporation]] and based at Hangar 5 at [[LaGuardia Airport]] in [[Flushing, Queens, New York]].<ref>"World Airline Directory." ''Flight International''. March 30, 1985.[http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1985/1985%20-%200963.html 103]." Retrieved on June 17, 2009. "Head Office: La Guardia Station, Flushing, New York 11371, USA."</ref><ref>"World Airline Directory." ''[[Flight International]]''. March 29, 1986. [http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1986/1986%20-%200768.html?search=%22TranStar%22 108]. "Head Office: Hangar 5, LaGuardia Airport, Flushing, NY 11371, USA."</ref> It ceased operations on February 1, 1987,<ref name="vintageairliners.com">{{cite web | url=https://vintageairliners.com/new-york-air-post/ | title=New York Air (+VIDEOS) - Vintage Airliners | date=19 April 2017 }}</ref> in a merger with [[Continental Airlines]].

'''New York Air''' was a [[low-cost airline|low-cost]] [[List of airlines of the United States|U.S. airline]] owned by [[Texas Air Corporation]] and based at Hangar 5 at [[LaGuardia Airport]] in [[Flushing, Queens, New York]].<ref>"World Airline Directory." ''Flight International''. March 30, 1985.[http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1985/1985%20-%200963.html 103]." Retrieved on June 17, 2009. "Head Office: La Guardia Station, Flushing, New York 11371, USA."</ref><ref>"World Airline Directory." ''[[Flight International]]''. March 29, 1986. [http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1986/1986%20-%200768.html?search=%22TranStar%22 108]. "Head Office: Hangar 5, LaGuardia Airport, Flushing, NY 11371, USA."</ref> It ceased operations on February 1, 1987,<ref name="vintageairliners.com">{{cite web | url=https://vintageairliners.com/new-york-air-post/ | title=New York Air (+VIDEOS) - Vintage Airliners | date=19 April 2017 }}</ref> in a merger with [[Continental Airlines]].


New York Air was well known for its onboard bagged snacks, known as "The Flying Nosh".<ref>{{Cite web|title=AIRLINEMEALS.NET|url=http://www.airlinemeals.net/oldies/NewYorkAir.html|website=www.airlinemeals.net}}</ref>
New York Air was well known for its onboard bagged snacks, known as "The Flying Nosh".<ref>{{Cite web|title=AIRLINEMEALS.NET|url=http://www.airlinemeals.net/oldies/NewYorkAir.html|website=www.airlinemeals.net}}</ref>


==History==
==History==
===Foundation===

In September 1980, [[Frank Lorenzo]]'s [[Texas Air Corporation]] announced plans to launch a low-fare airline in the Northeast US, which would then become known as New York Air. The carrier would be the second airline to launch following the deregulation of the US airline industry, which allowed Texas Air to freely expand its operations without government intervention. New York Air would initially compete with [[Eastern Air Lines|Eastern Airlines]] and its [[Eastern Air Lines Shuttle|Eastern Air Shuttle]] service, which offered hourly service between New York's [[LaGuardia Airport]], Boston's [[Logan International Airport|Logan Airport]], and Washington DC's [[Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport|National Airport]], by operating a similar hourly service between the three cities, but offering lower fares than Eastern, and also offering advanced reservations and complimentary drinks and snacks, which Eastern didn't offer. The airline then planned to expand and offer service to other cities along the East Coast. Plans were also announced for a large operation in [[White Plains, New York|White Plains]], however that never commenced.<ref>{{Cite news|author=<!--Not stated-->|date=1981-05-07|title=New York Air's Application to Use Westchester Airport Stirs Rebuff|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1981/05/07/nyregion/new-york-air-s-application-to-use-westchester-airport-stirs-rebuff.html|access-date=2021-06-01|issn=0362-4331}}</ref>
=== Foundation ===
In September 1980, [[Frank Lorenzo]]'s [[Texas Air Corporation]] announced plans to launch a low-fare airline in the Northeast US, which would then become known as New York Air. The carrier would be the second airline to launch following the deregulation of the US airline industry, which allowed Texas Air to freely expand its operations without government intervention. New York Air would initially compete with [[Eastern Air Lines|Eastern Airlines]] and its [[Eastern Air Lines Shuttle|Eastern Air Shuttle]] service, which offered hourly service between New York's [[LaGuardia Airport]], Boston's [[Logan International Airport|Logan Airport]], and Washington DC's [[Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport|National Airport]], by operating a similar hourly service between the three cities, but offering lower fares than Eastern, and also offering advanced reservations and complimentary drinks and snacks, which Eastern didn't offer. The airline then planned to expand and offer service to other cities along the East Coast. Plans were also announced for a large operation in [[White Plains, New York|White Plains]], however never commenced.<ref>{{Cite news|author=<!--Not stated-->|date=1981-05-07|title=New York Air's Application to Use Westchester Airport Stirs Rebuff|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1981/05/07/nyregion/new-york-air-s-application-to-use-westchester-airport-stirs-rebuff.html|access-date=2021-06-01|issn=0362-4331}}</ref>
[[File:New York Air DC-9 Detroit - 16 August 1983.jpg|thumb|right|[[DC-9|DC-9-32]] of New York Air]]
[[File:New York Air DC-9 Detroit - 16 August 1983.jpg|thumb|right|[[DC-9|DC-9-32]] of New York Air]]
Founding New York Air president, Neal F. Meehan, had been a senior manager at both [[Continental Airlines]] and at [[Texas International Airlines]] (TI). In September, 1980, he assembled a team of airline managers; within 90 days it had hired, trained, uniformed, and drilled New York Air's flight crew, flight attendants, dispatchers, terminal, ramp and reservations personnel.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Sloane|first=Leonard|date=1981-05-27|title=BUSINESS PEOPLE; NEW YORK AIR'S CHIEF|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1981/05/27/business/business-people-new-york-air-s-chief.html|access-date=2021-06-01|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Office and maintenance facilities in the hangar which had originally housed American Airlines headquarters at LaGuardia in the 1930s were thrown up rapidly, and the carrier obtained FAA certification as an adjunct to TI's certificate. In one notable vignette, New York Air managers interviewed over a thousand candidates for flight attendant, reservations, and airport jobs in one day of group interviews held at New York's famed [[The Town Hall (New York City)|Town Hall Theater]], in November 1980.
Founding New York Air president, Neal F. Meehan, had been a senior manager at both [[Continental Airlines]] and at [[Texas International Airlines]] (TI). In September, 1980, he assembled a team of airline managers; within 90 days it had hired, trained, uniformed, and drilled New York Air's flight crew, flight attendants, dispatchers, terminal, ramp and reservations personnel.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Sloane|first=Leonard|date=1981-05-27|title=BUSINESS PEOPLE; NEW YORK AIR'S CHIEF|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1981/05/27/business/business-people-new-york-air-s-chief.html|access-date=2021-06-01|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Office and maintenance facilities in the hangar which had originally housed American Airlines headquarters at LaGuardia in the 1930s were thrown up rapidly, and the carrier obtained FAA certification as an adjunct to TI's certificate. In one notable vignette, New York Air managers interviewed over a thousand candidates for flight attendant, reservations, and airport jobs in one day of group interviews held at New York's famed [[The Town Hall (New York City)|Town Hall Theater]], in November 1980.
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New York Air commenced operations on December 19, 1980, with a flight from New York LaGuardia to Washington National, however only 5 of the 125 seats on the aircraft were filled. By April 1981, New York Air had an average 62% load factor, close to its break-even load factor of 65%, and had generated a $1.5 million loss. Executives described this as a 'moderate success', however subsequently raised fares on its LaGuardia flights.<ref name=":4">{{Citation|title=Dogfight Over New York (New York Air vs. Eastern Airlines) -- 1981 -- Enterprise|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2KWgVHLWSqU |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/2KWgVHLWSqU| archive-date=2021-12-12 |url-status=live|language=en|access-date=2021-06-01}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
New York Air commenced operations on December 19, 1980, with a flight from New York LaGuardia to Washington National, however only 5 of the 125 seats on the aircraft were filled. By April 1981, New York Air had an average 62% load factor, close to its break-even load factor of 65%, and had generated a $1.5 million loss. Executives described this as a 'moderate success', however subsequently raised fares on its LaGuardia flights.<ref name=":4">{{Citation|title=Dogfight Over New York (New York Air vs. Eastern Airlines) -- 1981 -- Enterprise|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2KWgVHLWSqU |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/2KWgVHLWSqU| archive-date=2021-12-12 |url-status=live|language=en|access-date=2021-06-01}}{{cbignore}}</ref>


=== Initial struggles ===
===Initial struggles===
Following its launch, New York Air quickly expanded and established a hub operation in LaGuardia, with new service to [[Cleveland]] beginning in April 1981,<ref>{{Cite news|last=International|first=United Press|date=1981-04-09|title=New York Air Begins A Service to Cleveland|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1981/04/09/nyregion/new-york-air-begins-a-service-to-cleveland.html|access-date=2021-06-01|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> as well as smaller focus cities in Boston and Washington National. However several planned destinations, such as [[Dayton, Ohio|Dayton]], [[Pittsburgh]], and service to several destinations [[Upstate New York]], were scrapped. A LaGuardia-[[Detroit]] service was operated for a short period, before being shifted to [[Newark Liberty International Airport|Newark]], where the airline began a secondary smaller hub operation. By July, services from LaGuardia to [[Cincinnati]] and [[Louisville, Kentucky|Louisville]] had also begun. By December, the airline had a fleet of 13 [[DC-9-30]] aircraft.<ref name=":5">{{Cite news|last=Salpukas|first=Agis|date=1981-12-18|title=FOR NEW YORK AIR: TROUBLE|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1981/12/18/business/for-new-york-air-trouble.html|access-date=2021-06-01|issn=0362-4331}}</ref>
Following its launch, New York Air quickly expanded and established a hub operation in LaGuardia, with new service to [[Cleveland]] beginning in April 1981,<ref>{{Cite news|last=International|first=United Press|date=1981-04-09|title=New York Air Begins A Service to Cleveland|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1981/04/09/nyregion/new-york-air-begins-a-service-to-cleveland.html|access-date=2021-06-01|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> as well as smaller focus cities in Boston and Washington National. However several planned destinations, such as [[Dayton, Ohio|Dayton]], [[Pittsburgh]], and service to several destinations in [[Upstate New York]], were scrapped. A LaGuardia-[[Detroit]] service was operated for a short period, before being shifted to [[Newark Liberty International Airport|Newark]], where the airline began a secondary smaller hub operation. By July, services from LaGuardia to [[Cincinnati]] and [[Louisville, Kentucky|Louisville]] had also begun. By December, the airline had a fleet of 13 [[DC-9-30]] aircraft.<ref name=":5">{{Cite news|last=Salpukas|first=Agis|date=1981-12-18|title=FOR NEW YORK AIR: TROUBLE|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1981/12/18/business/for-new-york-air-trouble.html|access-date=2021-06-01|issn=0362-4331}}</ref>


The [[1981 air traffic controllers strike|1981 Air Traffic Controllers strike]] badly affected New York Air's operations and its finances. The strike led to long flight delays, encouraging passengers to avoid flying. In order to ease delays, the Federal Aviation Administration reduced the number of available slots in Northeastern airports, forcing airlines to cut flights. Larger airlines were able to counter this by using larger aircraft, such as Eastern's decision to operate 260-seat Airbus A300s on its shuttle flights. This meant that Eastern could still carry the same number of passengers per day despite the slot reductions, reducing the damage to its income. Due to New York Air's small fleet, it was unable to follow a similar tactic, and its shuttle service was heavily damaged by the slot restrictions. This, as well as Eastern's larger aircraft flooding the market, led to New York Air ending its Boston service after less than a year in operation.<ref name=":5" />
The [[1981 air traffic controllers strike|1981 Air Traffic Controllers strike]] badly affected New York Air's operations and its finances. The strike led to long flight delays, encouraging passengers to avoid flying. In order to ease delays, the Federal Aviation Administration reduced the number of available slots in Northeastern airports, forcing airlines to cut flights. Larger airlines were able to counter this by using larger aircraft, such as Eastern's decision to operate 260-seat Airbus A300s on its shuttle flights. This meant that Eastern could still carry the same number of passengers per day despite the slot reductions, reducing the damage to its income. Due to New York Air's small fleet, it was unable to follow a similar tactic, and its shuttle service was heavily damaged by the slot restrictions. This, as well as Eastern's larger aircraft flooding the market, led to New York Air ending its Boston service after less than a year in operation.<ref name=":5" />
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To maintain a presence in Boston, the airline established a hub at Logan Airport, offering service to [[Baltimore]] and [[Orlando, Florida|Orlando]]. However, these services proved to be unprofitable, and the Boston hub was closed by the end of 1982. Services to Cleveland, Cincinnati and Louisville had also been cut due to competition from larger airlines such as Eastern and [[United Airlines|United]]. To keep the airline afloat, Texas Air provided a $10 million cash injection, and banks provided $15 million in revolving credit. Another $15 million was obtained through the sale of 1.8 million shares. To keep the company going through winter 1981, the airline sought another $10–15 million from its banks.<ref name=":5" />
To maintain a presence in Boston, the airline established a hub at Logan Airport, offering service to [[Baltimore]] and [[Orlando, Florida|Orlando]]. However, these services proved to be unprofitable, and the Boston hub was closed by the end of 1982. Services to Cleveland, Cincinnati and Louisville had also been cut due to competition from larger airlines such as Eastern and [[United Airlines|United]]. To keep the airline afloat, Texas Air provided a $10 million cash injection, and banks provided $15 million in revolving credit. Another $15 million was obtained through the sale of 1.8 million shares. To keep the company going through winter 1981, the airline sought another $10–15 million from its banks.<ref name=":5" />


==== Union disputes ====
====Union disputes====
Texas Air and Lorenzo's poor attitude towards labor unions lead to New York Air being established as a non-union company, angering the [[Airline Pilots Association|Airline Pilots Association (ALPA)]], as well as staff at Texas International Airlines, also a Texas Air subsidiary, who branded New York Air as a 'runaway shop'. A week after New York Air commenced operations, a number of Texas International employees began picketing outside LaGuardia Airport, claiming that the airline was an attempt by Texas Air to get around Texas International's union contracts, and that the company was seeking to remove unionized staff by shifting operations to the non-union New York Air. Meehan denied this, stating that New York Air was "completely separate from Texas International" and would be prepared to negotiate contracts if its staff chose to unionize.<ref name=":4" />
New York Air was established as a non-union company, angering the [[Airline Pilots Association|Airline Pilots Association (ALPA)]], as well as staff at Texas International Airlines, also a Texas Air subsidiary, who branded New York Air as a 'runaway shop'. A week after New York Air commenced operations, a number of Texas International employees began picketing outside LaGuardia Airport, claiming that the airline was an attempt by Texas Air to get around Texas International's union contracts, and that the company was seeking to remove unionized staff by shifting operations to the non-union New York Air. Meehan denied this, stating that New York Air was "completely separate from Texas International" and would be prepared to negotiate contracts if its staff chose to unionize.<ref name=":4" />


ALPA soon began a full-scale campaign with the intention of preventing New York Air from growing as a non-union airline. In July 1981, ALPA set up what it called a 'political campaign-style operation', with a call centre and volunteers mailing informational material, against the airline.<ref name=":6">{{Cite web|title=ALPA vs Texas International Airlines/Frank Lorenzo: 1981|url=http://www.corporatecampaign.org/history_alpa_texas_air_1981.php|access-date=2021-06-01|website=Corporate Campaign, Inc.}}</ref> Leaflets and brochures were created, describing New York Air as 'Texas Air's Bad Apple' (a play on New York's 'Big Apple' nickname, and referencing the apple icon in New York Air's logo),<ref name=":7">{{Cite web|first=CCI/ALPA|title=ALPA 'Don't Rely on NY Air' Brochure|url=http://www.corporatecampaign.org/img/content/texas_air_dont_fly.jpg|url-status=live}}</ref> and containing damning statistics about the airline, such as its poor on-time record and reputation for overbooked flights.<ref>{{Cite web|title=ALPA 'Pass Up Boarding New York Air' Leaflet|url=http://www.corporatecampaign.org/img/content/texas_air_boarding_pass.jpg|url-status=live}}</ref> Badges with printed 'Please Don't Fly New York Air' titles on were also produced.<ref>{{Cite web|title=ALPA 'Please Don't Fly New York Air' Badge|url=https://i.ebayimg.com/thumbs/images/g/NJsAAOSwMfhaeHDO/s-l225.jpg|url-status=live}}</ref> The materials used an edited version of the New York Air logo with a rotten apple.<ref name=":7" /> In August 1981, ALPA began picketing in Boston and Washington DC.<ref name=":6" />
ALPA soon began a full-scale campaign with the intention of preventing New York Air from growing as a non-union airline. In July 1981, ALPA set up what it called a 'political campaign-style operation', with a call centre and volunteers mailing informational material, against the airline.<ref name=":6">{{Cite web|title=ALPA vs Texas International Airlines/Frank Lorenzo: 1981|url=http://www.corporatecampaign.org/history_alpa_texas_air_1981.php|access-date=2021-06-01|website=Corporate Campaign, Inc.}}</ref> Leaflets and brochures were created, describing New York Air as 'Texas Air's Bad Apple' (a play on New York's 'Big Apple' nickname, and referencing the apple icon in New York Air's logo),<ref name=":7">{{Cite web |first= |title=ALPA 'Don't Rely on NY Air' Brochure |url=http://www.corporatecampaign.org/img/content/texas_air_dont_fly.jpg }}</ref> and containing damning statistics about the airline, such as its poor on-time record and reputation for overbooked flights.<ref>{{Cite web|title=ALPA 'Pass Up Boarding New York Air' Leaflet|url=http://www.corporatecampaign.org/img/content/texas_air_boarding_pass.jpg}}</ref> Badges with printed 'Please Don't Fly New York Air' titles on them were also produced.<ref>{{Cite web|title=ALPA 'Please Don't Fly New York Air' Badge|url=https://i.ebayimg.com/thumbs/images/g/NJsAAOSwMfhaeHDO/s-l225.jpg}}</ref> The materials used an edited version of the New York Air logo with a rotten apple.<ref name=":7" /> In August 1981, ALPA began picketing in Boston and Washington DC.<ref name=":6" />


In what ALPA described as a 'desperate attempt' to gain business, the airline began offering limited-time 29 cent fares, which could only be purchased in-person. These promotional fares created large crowds of people seeking to purchase New York Air tickets. Images of these crowds were broadcast by local media, who then repeated ALPA's claims and brought attention to its campaign against the airline. ALPA picketers also handed out anti-New York Air leaflets and material to those waiting to purchase promotional fares.<ref name=":6" />
In what ALPA described as a 'desperate attempt' to gain business, the airline began offering limited-time 29 cent fares, which could only be purchased in-person. The 29-cent fares were actually a one-day promotion to attract media attention when New York Air inaugurated service between New York and Boston in February 1981.<ref>{{Cite web |title=It was a super-bargain day Sunday for 566 lucky... - UPI Archives |url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1981/02/15/It-was-a-super-bargain-day-Sunday-for-566-lucky/7549351061200/ |access-date=2024-07-24 |website=UPI |language=en}}</ref> These promotional fares created large crowds of people seeking to purchase New York Air tickets. Images of these crowds were broadcast by local media, who then repeated ALPA's claims and brought attention to its campaign against the airline. ALPA picketers also handed out anti-New York Air leaflets and material to those waiting to purchase promotional fares.<ref name=":6" />


Months after the campaign commenced, Lorenzo agreed to a new contract for Texas International pilots, however didn't offer a contract to New York Air pilots. ALPA planned to begin picketing at Newark Airport, however then began winding down the campaign in order to focus on supporting the [[Professional Air Traffic Controllers Organization (1968)|1981 Air Traffic Controllers strike]].<ref name=":6" />
Months after the campaign commenced, Lorenzo agreed to a new contract for Texas International pilots, however didn't offer a contract to New York Air pilots. ALPA planned to begin picketing at Newark Airport, however then began winding down the campaign in order to focus on supporting the [[Professional Air Traffic Controllers Organization (1968)|1981 Air Traffic Controllers strike]].<ref name=":6" />


=== Restructuring and expansion ===
===Restructuring and expansion===
In 1982, it became clear that the airline was in trouble. By the end of 1981, New York Air had lost $11 million, with an additional $8.2 million lost in the first quarter of 1982. In July 1982, Meehan resigned as president, and was subsequently replaced by [[Michael E. Levine|Michael E Levine]], who was appointed as chairman in February.<ref name=":8">{{Cite news|date=1982-07-03|title=PRESIDENT QUITS NEW YORK AIR|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1982/07/03/business/president-quits-new-york-air.html|access-date=2021-06-01|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Under Levine's leadership, New York Air repositioned itself as a full-service airline and began targeting business passengers with premium service but still at fares which were typically lower than on competing carriers.<ref name=":8" /><ref name=":9">{{Cite news|last=Salpukas|first=Agis|date=1983-12-25|title=PILOTING NEW YORK AIR OUT OF THE RED|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1983/12/25/business/piloting-new-york-air-out-of-the-red.html|access-date=2021-06-01|issn=0362-4331}}</ref>
In 1982, it became clear that the airline was in trouble. By the end of 1981, New York Air had lost $11 million, with an additional $8.2 million lost in the first quarter of 1982. In July 1982, Meehan resigned as president, and was subsequently replaced by [[Michael E. Levine]], who was appointed as chairman in February.<ref name=":8">{{Cite news|date=1982-07-03|title=PRESIDENT QUITS NEW YORK AIR|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1982/07/03/business/president-quits-new-york-air.html|access-date=2021-06-01|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Under Levine's leadership, New York Air repositioned itself as a full-service airline and began targeting business passengers with premium service but still at fares which were typically lower than on competing carriers.<ref name=":8" /><ref name=":9">{{Cite news|last=Salpukas|first=Agis|date=1983-12-25|title=PILOTING NEW YORK AIR OUT OF THE RED|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1983/12/25/business/piloting-new-york-air-out-of-the-red.html|access-date=2021-06-01|issn=0362-4331}}</ref>


Levine first shrunk New York Air's network, and introduced new services to underserved destinations with more business demand. In August 1982, shuttle service between LaGuardia and Boston resumed,<ref name=":8" /> and schedules between LaGuardia and Washington National were changed so flights would leave LaGuardia on the hour, rather than on the half-hour. The airline also began offering complementary bagels on morning flights, as well as wine and newspapers, allowing the shuttle to compete more effectively with Eastern. Similar shuttle services were also added from Newark, initially only to Washington National.
Levine first shrunk New York Air's network, and introduced new services to underserved destinations with more business demand. In August 1982, shuttle service between LaGuardia and Boston resumed,<ref name=":8" /> and schedules between LaGuardia and Washington National were changed so flights would leave LaGuardia on the hour, rather than on the half-hour. The airline also began offering complementary bagels on morning flights, as well as wine and newspapers, allowing the shuttle to compete more effectively with Eastern. Similar shuttle services were also added from Newark, initially only to Washington National.


In 1983, the airline began a small hub operation at [[Raleigh–Durham International Airport|Raleigh-Durham Airport]], with connections to [[Greenville, South Carolina|Greenville]], [[Knoxville, Tennessee|Knoxville]], [[Savannah, Georgia|Savannah]],<ref>{{Cite web|title=New York Air 1983 Route Map|url=https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nOKPn5gYjoU/WhNbFZtEagI/AAAAAAAA1SA/yM_sh5qI3rk5etp6tT1GG83p9w8TATNBgCLcBGAs/s1600/img560.jpg|url-status=live}}</ref> and later [[Orlando, Florida|Orlando]],<ref>{{Cite web|title=New York Air 1984 Route Map|url=https://i.pinimg.com/originals/69/6f/aa/696faa453a48bd8147224617842c7881.jpg|url-status=live}}</ref> as well as feeder service on [[Air Virginia]] and [[Sunbird Airlines]]. The carrier targeted the hub at passengers who would usually connect through larger Southeastern hubs such as [[Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport|Atlanta]] or [[Charlotte Douglas International Airport|Charlotte]]. A private boarding lounge known as the 'Apple Club' was offered to passengers connecting through Raleigh, reinforcing New York Air's new premium model. By September 1984, service to Boston, Greenville, Knoxville and Orlando from Raleigh had ceased,<ref>{{Cite web|title=New York Air September 1984 Route Map|url=https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/proxy/j_oNJOVDmrh6tihP4_1SUQw_skdGCIn60ursnc38uoiy3Psmqep-_maylo7p0slkjjdYNS3MoCWZ8ip7QNICZcjTnKf6FA|url-status=live}}</ref> with remaining service from Raleigh ceasing by 1985.<ref>{{Cite web|title=New York Air November 1985 Route Map|url=https://live.staticflickr.com/2900/33207791252_984cc5f261_b.jpg|url-status=live}}</ref> Raleigh briefly returned to New York Air's network as a connection from Washington Dulles in September 1986.<ref>{{Cite web|title=New York Air Washington-Dulles Destinations - September 1986|url=https://64.media.tumblr.com/185e734c47c1e5d0766a4cc6422f0d16/tumblr_pi1u94n98i1sgyt1jo1_1280.jpg|url-status=live}}</ref>
In 1983, the airline began a small hub operation at [[Raleigh–Durham International Airport|Raleigh-Durham Airport]], with connections to [[Greenville, South Carolina|Greenville]], [[Knoxville, Tennessee|Knoxville]], [[Savannah, Georgia|Savannah]],<ref>{{Cite web|title=New York Air 1983 Route Map|url=https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nOKPn5gYjoU/WhNbFZtEagI/AAAAAAAA1SA/yM_sh5qI3rk5etp6tT1GG83p9w8TATNBgCLcBGAs/s1600/img560.jpg}}</ref> and later [[Orlando, Florida|Orlando]],<ref>{{Cite web|title=New York Air 1984 Route Map|url=https://i.pinimg.com/originals/69/6f/aa/696faa453a48bd8147224617842c7881.jpg}}</ref> as well as feeder service on [[Air Virginia]] and [[Sunbird Airlines]]. The carrier targeted the hub at passengers who would usually connect through larger Southeastern hubs such as [[Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport|Atlanta]] or [[Charlotte Douglas International Airport|Charlotte]]. A private boarding lounge known as the 'Apple Club' was offered to passengers connecting through Raleigh, reinforcing New York Air's new premium model. By September 1984, service to Boston, Greenville, Knoxville and Orlando from Raleigh had ceased,<ref>{{Cite web|title=New York Air September 1984 Route Map|url=https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/proxy/j_oNJOVDmrh6tihP4_1SUQw_skdGCIn60ursnc38uoiy3Psmqep-_maylo7p0slkjjdYNS3MoCWZ8ip7QNICZcjTnKf6FA}}</ref> with remaining service from Raleigh ceasing by 1985.<ref>{{Cite web|title=New York Air November 1985 Route Map|url=https://live.staticflickr.com/2900/33207791252_984cc5f261_b.jpg}}</ref> Raleigh briefly returned to New York Air's network as a connection from Washington Dulles in September 1986.<ref>{{Cite web|title=New York Air Washington-Dulles Destinations - September 1986|url=https://64.media.tumblr.com/185e734c47c1e5d0766a4cc6422f0d16/tumblr_pi1u94n98i1sgyt1jo1_1280.jpg}}</ref>


By the end of 1983, the airline was profitable for the first time, and began ordering larger [[McDonnell Douglas MD-80]] aircraft to supplement its DC-9 fleet.<ref name=":9" />
By the end of 1983, the airline was profitable for the first time, and began ordering larger [[McDonnell Douglas MD-80]] aircraft to supplement its DC-9 fleet.<ref name=":9" />
Line 78: Line 78:
In July 1985, New York Air announced it would open a hub at [[Dulles International Airport|Washington Dulles Airport]]. Construction began on a $3.6 million concourse to handle the expanded number of flights, which featured an 'Apple Club' restaurant. By the end of 1985, New York Air had 35 flights a day from Dulles, and eventually made the airport its main operational focus.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Feaver|first=Douglas B.|date=1985-07-17|title=New York Air to Open Hub at Dulles|language=en-US|newspaper=Washington Post|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/business/1985/07/17/new-york-air-to-open-hub-at-dulles/3e2d8b2e-dab8-48f3-b2b0-0920c654fbb5/|access-date=2021-06-01|issn=0190-8286}}</ref> The airline also continued expanding its Boston and LaGuardia operations with seasonal service to [[Martha's Vineyard]] and [[Nantucket]].<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Butterfield|first1=Fox|date=1985-05-26|title=NANTUCKETERS DISPUTE NEW YORK AIR FLIGHT PLANS|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1985/05/26/us/nantucketers-dispute-new-york-air-flight-plans.html|access-date=2021-06-01|issn=0362-4331}}</ref>
In July 1985, New York Air announced it would open a hub at [[Dulles International Airport|Washington Dulles Airport]]. Construction began on a $3.6 million concourse to handle the expanded number of flights, which featured an 'Apple Club' restaurant. By the end of 1985, New York Air had 35 flights a day from Dulles, and eventually made the airport its main operational focus.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Feaver|first=Douglas B.|date=1985-07-17|title=New York Air to Open Hub at Dulles|language=en-US|newspaper=Washington Post|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/business/1985/07/17/new-york-air-to-open-hub-at-dulles/3e2d8b2e-dab8-48f3-b2b0-0920c654fbb5/|access-date=2021-06-01|issn=0190-8286}}</ref> The airline also continued expanding its Boston and LaGuardia operations with seasonal service to [[Martha's Vineyard]] and [[Nantucket]].<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Butterfield|first1=Fox|date=1985-05-26|title=NANTUCKETERS DISPUTE NEW YORK AIR FLIGHT PLANS|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1985/05/26/us/nantucketers-dispute-new-york-air-flight-plans.html|access-date=2021-06-01|issn=0362-4331}}</ref>


=== Merger with Continental ===
===Merger with Continental===
[[File:Continental Airlines DC-9-32; N525NY, October 1995<ref>{{cite web|url=https://vintageairliners.com/new-york-air-post/|title=New York Air (+VIDEOS) - Vintage Airliners|date=19 April 2017 }}</ref> CKA (5126664193).jpg|thumb|New York Air DC-9 with 'Continental's New York Air' titles]]
[[File:Continental Airlines DC-9-32; N525NY, October 1987 CKA (5126664193).jpg|thumb|New York Air DC-9 with 'Continental's New York Air' titles<ref>{{cite web|url=https://vintageairliners.com/new-york-air-post/|title=New York Air (+VIDEOS) - Vintage Airliners|date=19 April 2017 }}</ref>]]
Beginning in 1986, Texas Air started co-ordinating the operations of all of its subsidiaries. New York Air began code-sharing with other Texas Air subsidiaries, such as on [[Continental Airlines]]' services into Dulles.<ref>{{Cite web|title=New York Air Advertisement - 'We're kind of young for our age'|url=https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EgsrEDgWoAAd1W7?format=jpg&name=small|url-status=live}}</ref> This then led to a co-operation between Continental and New York Air, branded as the 'New York Air/Continental Team'.<ref>{{Cite web|title=New York Air Advertisement - 'New York Air/Continental Team'|url=https://i2.wp.com/vintageairliners.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/new-york-air-timetable-inside.jpg?ssl=1|url-status=live}}</ref>
Beginning in 1986, Texas Air started co-ordinating the operations of all of its subsidiaries. New York Air began code-sharing with other Texas Air subsidiaries, such as on [[Continental Airlines]]' services into Dulles.<ref>{{Cite web|title=New York Air Advertisement - 'We're kind of young for our age'|url=https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EgsrEDgWoAAd1W7?format=jpg&name=small}}</ref> This then led to a co-operation between Continental and New York Air, branded as the 'New York Air/Continental Team'.<ref>{{Cite web|title=New York Air Advertisement - 'New York Air/Continental Team'|url=https://i2.wp.com/vintageairliners.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/new-york-air-timetable-inside.jpg?ssl=1}}</ref>


Also in 1988,<ref name="vintageairliners.com"/> Texas Air sold New York Air's shuttle service to [[Pan Am]], in order to gain government approval for its planned takeover of [[Eastern Air Lines|Eastern Airlines]]. NYA then shifted its LGA to BOS and DCA flights to Newark. This led to the closure of New York Air's LaGuardia hub, which it had operated since the airline's 1980 launch.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Salpukas|first=Agis|date=1986-05-14|title=LA GUARDIA SHUTTLE SET BY PAN AM|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1986/05/14/business/la-guardia-shuttle-set-by-pan-am.html|access-date=2021-06-01|issn=0362-4331}}</ref>
Also in 1988,<ref name="vintageairliners.com"/> Texas Air sold New York Air's shuttle service to [[Pan Am]], in order to gain government approval for its planned takeover of [[Eastern Air Lines|Eastern Airlines]]. NYA then shifted its LGA to BOS and DCA flights to Newark. This led to the closure of New York Air's LaGuardia hub, which it had operated since the airline's 1980 launch.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Salpukas|first=Agis|date=1986-05-14|title=LA GUARDIA SHUTTLE SET BY PAN AM|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1986/05/14/business/la-guardia-shuttle-set-by-pan-am.html|access-date=2021-06-01|issn=0362-4331}}</ref>
Line 86: Line 86:
In January 1987,<ref name="vintageairliners.com"/> Texas Air announced its intention to merge New York Air, along with fellow subsidiaries [[Frontier Airlines (1950–1986)|Frontier Airlines]] and [[People Express Airlines (1980s)|People Express Airlines]], into Continental. According to Lorenzo, the merger was necessary in order to ensure both Continental and Texas Air had 'the strength and size to compete in tomorrow's air travel market', and also made Continental the third largest airline in the US.<ref>{{Citation|title=Continental Airlines 1987 Retrospective|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y_nTRYyShOE |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/Y_nTRYyShOE| archive-date=2021-12-12 |url-status=live|language=en|access-date=2021-06-01}}{{cbignore}}</ref> New York Air's operations ceased on February 1, 1987<ref>{{cite news|last=Schmitt|first=Eric|date=March 12, 1987|title=At Continental Airlines, Legacy of Woes|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1987/03/12/nyregion/at-continental-airlines-legacy-of-woes.html|access-date=March 27, 2010}}</ref> and its aircraft were subsequently repainted with 'Continental's New York Air' titles<ref>{{Cite web|title=N16310 {{!}} Boeing 737-3T0 {{!}} Continental's New York Air {{!}} Mark Durbin|url=https://www.jetphotos.com/photo/9688|access-date=2021-06-01|website=JetPhotos|language=en}}</ref> before gradually being repainted into the full Continental livery.
In January 1987,<ref name="vintageairliners.com"/> Texas Air announced its intention to merge New York Air, along with fellow subsidiaries [[Frontier Airlines (1950–1986)|Frontier Airlines]] and [[People Express Airlines (1980s)|People Express Airlines]], into Continental. According to Lorenzo, the merger was necessary in order to ensure both Continental and Texas Air had 'the strength and size to compete in tomorrow's air travel market', and also made Continental the third largest airline in the US.<ref>{{Citation|title=Continental Airlines 1987 Retrospective|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y_nTRYyShOE |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/Y_nTRYyShOE| archive-date=2021-12-12 |url-status=live|language=en|access-date=2021-06-01}}{{cbignore}}</ref> New York Air's operations ceased on February 1, 1987<ref>{{cite news|last=Schmitt|first=Eric|date=March 12, 1987|title=At Continental Airlines, Legacy of Woes|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1987/03/12/nyregion/at-continental-airlines-legacy-of-woes.html|access-date=March 27, 2010}}</ref> and its aircraft were subsequently repainted with 'Continental's New York Air' titles<ref>{{Cite web|title=N16310 {{!}} Boeing 737-3T0 {{!}} Continental's New York Air {{!}} Mark Durbin|url=https://www.jetphotos.com/photo/9688|access-date=2021-06-01|website=JetPhotos|language=en}}</ref> before gradually being repainted into the full Continental livery.


New York Air's Newark to Boston and Washington National shuttle was retained by Continental and operated with former NYA 737-300s and DC9s as a stand-alone operation for local passengers not connecting with other Continental flights, ironically from the former People Express North Terminal. Continental also operated the former People Express 727-200s between Newark, Boston and Washington from Terminal B as "system flights" which permitted connections to other former PE flights, now branded as CO at Terminal B. The Washington Dulles hub was initially retained and subsequently expanded through the acquisition of gates from [[Presidential Airways (scheduled)|Presidential Airways]],<ref>{{Cite news|last=Salpukas|first=Agis|date=1987-01-13|title=COMPANY NEWS; CONTINENTAL IS BUYING PRESIDENTIAL AIR'S GATES|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1987/01/13/business/company-news-continental-is-buying-presidential-air-s-gates.html|access-date=2021-06-01|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> as well as taking over Dulles routes from Eastern, however by 1989, Continental had closed the Dulles hub.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Presidential Airways: A 'Great Dream' Gone Bad With BC-Deregulation Decade|url=https://apnews.com/article/44bf8fe208a819c1b85df7c4cac1d511|access-date=2021-06-01|website=AP NEWS}}</ref> Once Newark's Terminal C opened, the former NYC shuttle flights ceased operation from the North Terminal and were folded into the operations at Terminal C.
New York Air's Newark to Boston and Washington National shuttle was retained by Continental and operated with former NYA 737-300s and DC9s as a stand-alone operation for local passengers not connecting with other Continental flights, ironically from the former People Express North Terminal. Continental also operated the former People Express 727-200s between Newark, Boston and Washington from Terminal B as "system flights" which permitted connections to other former PE flights, now branded as CO at Terminal B. The Washington Dulles hub was initially retained and subsequently expanded through the acquisition of gates from [[Presidential Airways (scheduled)|Presidential Airways]],<ref>{{Cite news|last=Salpukas|first=Agis|date=1987-01-13|title=COMPANY NEWS; CONTINENTAL IS BUYING PRESIDENTIAL AIR'S GATES|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1987/01/13/business/company-news-continental-is-buying-presidential-air-s-gates.html|access-date=2021-06-01|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> as well as taking over Dulles routes from Eastern, however by 1989, Continental had closed the Dulles hub.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Presidential Airways: A 'Great Dream' Gone Bad With BC-Deregulation Decade|url=https://apnews.com/article/44bf8fe208a819c1b85df7c4cac1d511|access-date=2021-06-01|website=AP NEWS}}</ref> Once Newark's Terminal C opened, the former NYC shuttle flights ceased operation from the North Terminal and were folded into the operations at Terminal C.


==Cities served==
==Cities served==
Line 107: Line 107:
* [[New York City]] ([[LaGuardia Airport]])<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" />
* [[New York City]] ([[LaGuardia Airport]])<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" />
* [[Newark, New Jersey|Newark]] ([[Newark Liberty International Airport]])<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" /><ref name=":3" />
* [[Newark, New Jersey|Newark]] ([[Newark Liberty International Airport]])<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" /><ref name=":3" />
* [[Orlando]] ([[Orlando International Airport]])<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" /><ref name=":3" />
* [[Orlando, Florida|Orlando]] ([[Orlando International Airport]])<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" /><ref name=":3" />
* [[Raleigh, North Carolina|Raleigh]]/[[Durham, North Carolina|Durham]] ([[Raleigh-Durham International Airport]])<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /><ref name=":3" />
* [[Raleigh, North Carolina|Raleigh]]/[[Durham, North Carolina|Durham]] ([[Raleigh-Durham International Airport]])<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /><ref name=":3" />
* [[Rochester, New York|Rochester]] ([[Greater Rochester International Airport]])<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" />
* [[Rochester, New York|Rochester]] ([[Greater Rochester International Airport]])<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" />
Line 123: Line 123:
*8 – [[Boeing 737-300]]
*8 – [[Boeing 737-300]]


== See also ==
==See also==
* [[List of defunct airlines of the United States]]
* [[List of defunct airlines of the United States]]


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{Reflist}}


==External links==
==External links==

Latest revision as of 00:33, 8 December 2024

New York Air
IATA ICAO Call sign
NY NYA APPLE
FoundedSeptember 1980;
44 years ago
 (1980-09)
Ceased operationsFebruary 1, 1987;
37 years ago
 (1987-02-01)
(merged into Continental Airlines)
Hubs
Parent companyTexas Air Corporation (1980–1987)
HeadquartersHangar 5, LaGuardia Airport
Flushing, Queens, New York City, New York, U.S.
Key people
A portrait of New York Air's aircraft N63305

New York Air was a low-cost airline in the United States owned by Texas Air Corporation and based at Hangar 5 at LaGuardia Airport in Flushing, Queens, New York.[1][2] It ceased operations on February 1, 1987,[3] in a merger with Continental Airlines.

New York Air was well known for its onboard bagged snacks, known as "The Flying Nosh".[4]

History

[edit]

Foundation

[edit]

In September 1980, Frank Lorenzo's Texas Air Corporation announced plans to launch a low-fare airline in the Northeast US, which would then become known as New York Air. The carrier would be the second airline to launch following the deregulation of the US airline industry, which allowed Texas Air to freely expand its operations without government intervention. New York Air would initially compete with Eastern Airlines and its Eastern Air Shuttle service, which offered hourly service between New York's LaGuardia Airport, Boston's Logan Airport, and Washington DC's National Airport, by operating a similar hourly service between the three cities, but offering lower fares than Eastern, and also offering advanced reservations and complimentary drinks and snacks, which Eastern didn't offer. The airline then planned to expand and offer service to other cities along the East Coast. Plans were also announced for a large operation in White Plains, however that never commenced.[5]

DC-9-32 of New York Air

Founding New York Air president, Neal F. Meehan, had been a senior manager at both Continental Airlines and at Texas International Airlines (TI). In September, 1980, he assembled a team of airline managers; within 90 days it had hired, trained, uniformed, and drilled New York Air's flight crew, flight attendants, dispatchers, terminal, ramp and reservations personnel.[6] Office and maintenance facilities in the hangar which had originally housed American Airlines headquarters at LaGuardia in the 1930s were thrown up rapidly, and the carrier obtained FAA certification as an adjunct to TI's certificate. In one notable vignette, New York Air managers interviewed over a thousand candidates for flight attendant, reservations, and airport jobs in one day of group interviews held at New York's famed Town Hall Theater, in November 1980.

New York Air commenced operations on December 19, 1980, with a flight from New York LaGuardia to Washington National, however only 5 of the 125 seats on the aircraft were filled. By April 1981, New York Air had an average 62% load factor, close to its break-even load factor of 65%, and had generated a $1.5 million loss. Executives described this as a 'moderate success', however subsequently raised fares on its LaGuardia flights.[7]

Initial struggles

[edit]

Following its launch, New York Air quickly expanded and established a hub operation in LaGuardia, with new service to Cleveland beginning in April 1981,[8] as well as smaller focus cities in Boston and Washington National. However several planned destinations, such as Dayton, Pittsburgh, and service to several destinations in Upstate New York, were scrapped. A LaGuardia-Detroit service was operated for a short period, before being shifted to Newark, where the airline began a secondary smaller hub operation. By July, services from LaGuardia to Cincinnati and Louisville had also begun. By December, the airline had a fleet of 13 DC-9-30 aircraft.[9]

The 1981 Air Traffic Controllers strike badly affected New York Air's operations and its finances. The strike led to long flight delays, encouraging passengers to avoid flying. In order to ease delays, the Federal Aviation Administration reduced the number of available slots in Northeastern airports, forcing airlines to cut flights. Larger airlines were able to counter this by using larger aircraft, such as Eastern's decision to operate 260-seat Airbus A300s on its shuttle flights. This meant that Eastern could still carry the same number of passengers per day despite the slot reductions, reducing the damage to its income. Due to New York Air's small fleet, it was unable to follow a similar tactic, and its shuttle service was heavily damaged by the slot restrictions. This, as well as Eastern's larger aircraft flooding the market, led to New York Air ending its Boston service after less than a year in operation.[9]

To maintain a presence in Boston, the airline established a hub at Logan Airport, offering service to Baltimore and Orlando. However, these services proved to be unprofitable, and the Boston hub was closed by the end of 1982. Services to Cleveland, Cincinnati and Louisville had also been cut due to competition from larger airlines such as Eastern and United. To keep the airline afloat, Texas Air provided a $10 million cash injection, and banks provided $15 million in revolving credit. Another $15 million was obtained through the sale of 1.8 million shares. To keep the company going through winter 1981, the airline sought another $10–15 million from its banks.[9]

Union disputes

[edit]

New York Air was established as a non-union company, angering the Airline Pilots Association (ALPA), as well as staff at Texas International Airlines, also a Texas Air subsidiary, who branded New York Air as a 'runaway shop'. A week after New York Air commenced operations, a number of Texas International employees began picketing outside LaGuardia Airport, claiming that the airline was an attempt by Texas Air to get around Texas International's union contracts, and that the company was seeking to remove unionized staff by shifting operations to the non-union New York Air. Meehan denied this, stating that New York Air was "completely separate from Texas International" and would be prepared to negotiate contracts if its staff chose to unionize.[7]

ALPA soon began a full-scale campaign with the intention of preventing New York Air from growing as a non-union airline. In July 1981, ALPA set up what it called a 'political campaign-style operation', with a call centre and volunteers mailing informational material, against the airline.[10] Leaflets and brochures were created, describing New York Air as 'Texas Air's Bad Apple' (a play on New York's 'Big Apple' nickname, and referencing the apple icon in New York Air's logo),[11] and containing damning statistics about the airline, such as its poor on-time record and reputation for overbooked flights.[12] Badges with printed 'Please Don't Fly New York Air' titles on them were also produced.[13] The materials used an edited version of the New York Air logo with a rotten apple.[11] In August 1981, ALPA began picketing in Boston and Washington DC.[10]

In what ALPA described as a 'desperate attempt' to gain business, the airline began offering limited-time 29 cent fares, which could only be purchased in-person. The 29-cent fares were actually a one-day promotion to attract media attention when New York Air inaugurated service between New York and Boston in February 1981.[14] These promotional fares created large crowds of people seeking to purchase New York Air tickets. Images of these crowds were broadcast by local media, who then repeated ALPA's claims and brought attention to its campaign against the airline. ALPA picketers also handed out anti-New York Air leaflets and material to those waiting to purchase promotional fares.[10]

Months after the campaign commenced, Lorenzo agreed to a new contract for Texas International pilots, however didn't offer a contract to New York Air pilots. ALPA planned to begin picketing at Newark Airport, however then began winding down the campaign in order to focus on supporting the 1981 Air Traffic Controllers strike.[10]

Restructuring and expansion

[edit]

In 1982, it became clear that the airline was in trouble. By the end of 1981, New York Air had lost $11 million, with an additional $8.2 million lost in the first quarter of 1982. In July 1982, Meehan resigned as president, and was subsequently replaced by Michael E. Levine, who was appointed as chairman in February.[15] Under Levine's leadership, New York Air repositioned itself as a full-service airline and began targeting business passengers with premium service but still at fares which were typically lower than on competing carriers.[15][16]

Levine first shrunk New York Air's network, and introduced new services to underserved destinations with more business demand. In August 1982, shuttle service between LaGuardia and Boston resumed,[15] and schedules between LaGuardia and Washington National were changed so flights would leave LaGuardia on the hour, rather than on the half-hour. The airline also began offering complementary bagels on morning flights, as well as wine and newspapers, allowing the shuttle to compete more effectively with Eastern. Similar shuttle services were also added from Newark, initially only to Washington National.

In 1983, the airline began a small hub operation at Raleigh-Durham Airport, with connections to Greenville, Knoxville, Savannah,[17] and later Orlando,[18] as well as feeder service on Air Virginia and Sunbird Airlines. The carrier targeted the hub at passengers who would usually connect through larger Southeastern hubs such as Atlanta or Charlotte. A private boarding lounge known as the 'Apple Club' was offered to passengers connecting through Raleigh, reinforcing New York Air's new premium model. By September 1984, service to Boston, Greenville, Knoxville and Orlando from Raleigh had ceased,[19] with remaining service from Raleigh ceasing by 1985.[20] Raleigh briefly returned to New York Air's network as a connection from Washington Dulles in September 1986.[21]

By the end of 1983, the airline was profitable for the first time, and began ordering larger McDonnell Douglas MD-80 aircraft to supplement its DC-9 fleet.[16]

In October 1984, Texas Air ordered 24 Boeing 737-300 aircraft, 8 of which would be delivered to New York Air beginning in 1985. This marked the first time New York Air operated Boeing aircraft, as well as any aircraft not produced by McDonnell Douglas.[22]

In July 1985, New York Air announced it would open a hub at Washington Dulles Airport. Construction began on a $3.6 million concourse to handle the expanded number of flights, which featured an 'Apple Club' restaurant. By the end of 1985, New York Air had 35 flights a day from Dulles, and eventually made the airport its main operational focus.[23] The airline also continued expanding its Boston and LaGuardia operations with seasonal service to Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket.[24]

Merger with Continental

[edit]
New York Air DC-9 with 'Continental's New York Air' titles[25]

Beginning in 1986, Texas Air started co-ordinating the operations of all of its subsidiaries. New York Air began code-sharing with other Texas Air subsidiaries, such as on Continental Airlines' services into Dulles.[26] This then led to a co-operation between Continental and New York Air, branded as the 'New York Air/Continental Team'.[27]

Also in 1988,[3] Texas Air sold New York Air's shuttle service to Pan Am, in order to gain government approval for its planned takeover of Eastern Airlines. NYA then shifted its LGA to BOS and DCA flights to Newark. This led to the closure of New York Air's LaGuardia hub, which it had operated since the airline's 1980 launch.[28]

In January 1987,[3] Texas Air announced its intention to merge New York Air, along with fellow subsidiaries Frontier Airlines and People Express Airlines, into Continental. According to Lorenzo, the merger was necessary in order to ensure both Continental and Texas Air had 'the strength and size to compete in tomorrow's air travel market', and also made Continental the third largest airline in the US.[29] New York Air's operations ceased on February 1, 1987[30] and its aircraft were subsequently repainted with 'Continental's New York Air' titles[31] before gradually being repainted into the full Continental livery.

New York Air's Newark to Boston and Washington National shuttle was retained by Continental and operated with former NYA 737-300s and DC9s as a stand-alone operation for local passengers not connecting with other Continental flights, ironically from the former People Express North Terminal. Continental also operated the former People Express 727-200s between Newark, Boston and Washington from Terminal B as "system flights" which permitted connections to other former PE flights, now branded as CO at Terminal B. The Washington Dulles hub was initially retained and subsequently expanded through the acquisition of gates from Presidential Airways,[32] as well as taking over Dulles routes from Eastern, however by 1989, Continental had closed the Dulles hub.[33] Once Newark's Terminal C opened, the former NYC shuttle flights ceased operation from the North Terminal and were folded into the operations at Terminal C.

Cities served

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Fleet

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New York Air operated 40 aircraft painted in a red color scheme with a stylized "apple" logo on the aircraft tail, evoking New York's nickname "The Big Apple." The airline operated mostly DC-9 and MD-80 aircraft but it did utilize a small number of Boeing 737-300 aircraft.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "World Airline Directory." Flight International. March 30, 1985.103." Retrieved on June 17, 2009. "Head Office: La Guardia Station, Flushing, New York 11371, USA."
  2. ^ "World Airline Directory." Flight International. March 29, 1986. 108. "Head Office: Hangar 5, LaGuardia Airport, Flushing, NY 11371, USA."
  3. ^ a b c "New York Air (+VIDEOS) - Vintage Airliners". 19 April 2017.
  4. ^ "AIRLINEMEALS.NET". www.airlinemeals.net.
  5. ^ "New York Air's Application to Use Westchester Airport Stirs Rebuff". The New York Times. 1981-05-07. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2021-06-01.
  6. ^ Sloane, Leonard (1981-05-27). "BUSINESS PEOPLE; NEW YORK AIR'S CHIEF". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2021-06-01.
  7. ^ a b Dogfight Over New York (New York Air vs. Eastern Airlines) -- 1981 -- Enterprise, archived from the original on 2021-12-12, retrieved 2021-06-01
  8. ^ International, United Press (1981-04-09). "New York Air Begins A Service to Cleveland". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2021-06-01.
  9. ^ a b c Salpukas, Agis (1981-12-18). "FOR NEW YORK AIR: TROUBLE". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2021-06-01.
  10. ^ a b c d "ALPA vs Texas International Airlines/Frank Lorenzo: 1981". Corporate Campaign, Inc. Retrieved 2021-06-01.
  11. ^ a b "ALPA 'Don't Rely on NY Air' Brochure".
  12. ^ "ALPA 'Pass Up Boarding New York Air' Leaflet".
  13. ^ "ALPA 'Please Don't Fly New York Air' Badge".
  14. ^ "It was a super-bargain day Sunday for 566 lucky... - UPI Archives". UPI. Retrieved 2024-07-24.
  15. ^ a b c "PRESIDENT QUITS NEW YORK AIR". The New York Times. 1982-07-03. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2021-06-01.
  16. ^ a b Salpukas, Agis (1983-12-25). "PILOTING NEW YORK AIR OUT OF THE RED". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2021-06-01.
  17. ^ "New York Air 1983 Route Map".
  18. ^ "New York Air 1984 Route Map".
  19. ^ "New York Air September 1984 Route Map".
  20. ^ "New York Air November 1985 Route Map".
  21. ^ "New York Air Washington-Dulles Destinations - September 1986".
  22. ^ Salpukas, Agis (1984-10-11). "NEW PLANES FOR CONTINENTAL". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2021-06-01.
  23. ^ Feaver, Douglas B. (1985-07-17). "New York Air to Open Hub at Dulles". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2021-06-01.
  24. ^ Butterfield, Fox (1985-05-26). "NANTUCKETERS DISPUTE NEW YORK AIR FLIGHT PLANS". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2021-06-01.
  25. ^ "New York Air (+VIDEOS) - Vintage Airliners". 19 April 2017.
  26. ^ "New York Air Advertisement - 'We're kind of young for our age'".
  27. ^ "New York Air Advertisement - 'New York Air/Continental Team'".
  28. ^ Salpukas, Agis (1986-05-14). "LA GUARDIA SHUTTLE SET BY PAN AM". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2021-06-01.
  29. ^ Continental Airlines 1987 Retrospective, archived from the original on 2021-12-12, retrieved 2021-06-01
  30. ^ Schmitt, Eric (March 12, 1987). "At Continental Airlines, Legacy of Woes". The New York Times. Retrieved March 27, 2010.
  31. ^ "N16310 | Boeing 737-3T0 | Continental's New York Air | Mark Durbin". JetPhotos. Retrieved 2021-06-01.
  32. ^ Salpukas, Agis (1987-01-13). "COMPANY NEWS; CONTINENTAL IS BUYING PRESIDENTIAL AIR'S GATES". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2021-06-01.
  33. ^ "Presidential Airways: A 'Great Dream' Gone Bad With BC-Deregulation Decade". AP NEWS. Retrieved 2021-06-01.
  34. ^ a b c d e f g h "Pin by Ships & Planes on New York Air | Baltimore washington, Newark, Baltimore". Pinterest. Retrieved 2021-05-26.
  35. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t "Pin by David Wilding on US Regionals | West palm beach, Newark, Spartanburg". Pinterest. Retrieved 2021-05-26.
  36. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u "New York Air (+VIDEOS) - Vintage Airliners". 2017-04-19. Retrieved 2021-05-26.
  37. ^ a b c d e f g "New York Air route map 1984 | Route map, Vintage airlines, Vintage travel posters". Pinterest. Retrieved 2021-05-26.
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