15 Airlines You Forgot Ever Existed
Airlines come and go, but some vanish so quietly they feel like fever dreams. For every Delta or United that dominates the skies, there’s a fleet of long-gone carriers that promised luxury, speed, or quirky charm—then disappeared into the clouds. This is your boarding pass to aviation’s forgotten past.
National Airlines—Ceased in 1980
Credit: Wikimedia Commons
National was flying sunny routes from Florida long before the low-cost boom. In the 1970s, its slogan was “Fly Me,” which raised more than a few eyebrows. Pan Am swallowed the airline in 1980 to strengthen domestic service. Spoiler alert: it didn’t save Pan Am, either.
Braniff International Airways—Ceased in 1982
Credit: flickr
Braniff turned planes into flying fashion statements with bold colors, Alexander Calder paint jobs, and even Pucci-designed uniforms. Unfortunately, style didn’t equal survival. High debt and rapid expansion brought it crashing down in 1982. At least it looked fabulous on the way out.
People Express Airlines—Ceased in 1987
Credit: Wikimedia Commons
This airline was the original “budget but bold” experience. Fares were dirt cheap, and passengers paid for bags on the plane with actual cash. It grew too fast, couldn’t keep up with costs, and folded into Continental in 1987. The seats were basic, but the idea was brilliant.
Eastern Air Lines—Ceased in 1991
Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Once one of the “Big Four” U.S. airlines, Eastern was massive—until it wasn’t. Labor disputes, mismanagement, and fierce competition grounded it by 1991. They tried a reboot in the 2010s, but lightning didn’t strike twice. Their old logo still triggers deep nostalgia among East Coasters.
Pan American World Airways (Pan Am)—Ceased in 1991
Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Pan Am was the airline—global, glamorous, and iconic. Its globe logo and flights that circled the world defined jet-set luxury. Unfortunately, oil crises, terrorism fears, and poor financial decisions chipped away until it folded in 1991. Still, that blue tail fin lives on in pop culture.
ValuJet Airlines—Ceased in 1997
Credit: Wikipedia
ValuJet grew fast in the mid-1990s but suffered a devastating crash in 1996 that exposed serious safety issues. The airline rebranded as AirTran in 1997 to shed the tarnished name. It’s a tragic lesson in what happens when rapid growth outruns regulation and operational readiness.
Tower Air—Ceased in 2000
Credit: Facebook
Tower Air was the go-to for cheap international flights and charters in the 1990s. It had a no-frills reputation—and not in a good way. Maintenance complaints and chaotic service took their toll, and the airline shut down in 2000. It’s been called the Greyhound of the skies.
Trans World Airlines (TWA)—Ceased in 2001
Credit: Wikipedia
TWA was a titan for decades and the gateway to Europe for many Americans. It had serious flair with Howard Hughes in its history and glamorous flight attendants in vintage ads. However, years of financial turmoil led to an American Airlines takeover in 2001. Now it’s just a terminal name.
America West Airlines—Ceased in 2005
Credit: Wikipedia
Headquartered in Phoenix, America West was scrappy, regional, and proudly cost-conscious. After 9/11, it merged with U.S. Airways in 2005—yet oddly, its CEO ran the new combined airline. So technically it vanished, but its leadership took over the bigger brand.
Aloha Airlines—Ceased in 2008
Credit: flickr
Based in Honolulu, Aloha served the Hawaiian Islands for over 60 years before high fuel prices and low-cost competitors grounded it in 2008. It was beloved locally—no frills, just friendly. Aloha’s demise still stings for longtime island travelers who miss the charm and the lack of baggage fees.
Northwest Airlines—Ceased in 2008
Credit: Wikipedia
A juggernaut of transpacific routes, Northwest was a Detroit-Minneapolis powerhouse that flew deep into Asia. It had a strong presence, distinctive livery, and even a love-hate relationship with its DC-9s. Delta absorbed it in 2008; by 2010, the name disappeared into the clouds for good.
Midwest Airlines—Ceased in 2010
Credit: flickr
This Milwaukee-based airline knew its niche—wide leather seats and warm chocolate chip cookies. Midwest offered first-class comfort at economy prices. Mergers with Frontier spelled the end in 2010, and the cookie perks went with it. A small loss for aviation, a big loss for in-flight dessert fans.
Continental Airlines—Ceased in 2010
Credit: Wikipedia
Continental was a big name with deep roots, dating back to the 1930s, and eventually merged with United Airlines in 2010. The name disappeared, but frequent flyers still grumble about preferring Continental’s service over what came next. RIP globe tail logo.
AirTran Airways—Ceased in 2014
Credit: Wikimedia Commons
AirTran offered low-cost fares with personality, and its Atlanta hub kept Delta on its toes. After a rough start as ValuJet, it rebranded and thrived—until Southwest snapped it up in 2014. The peanut snacks and business class seats were nice, but the livery? Let’s just say it was “memorable.”
US Airways—Ceased in 2015
Credit: Wikimedia Commons
US Airways was a merger magnet: Piedmont, PSA, America West—it hoarded them all. After a bumpy run, it finally merged into American Airlines in 2015. Its legacy remains that unforgettable Miracle on the Hudson landing in 2009. It was not a bad way to earn a place in history before disappearing.