Travel

Remember Air Florida? Let’s look back at the planes and the people in these old photos

By Miami Herald Archives
Air Florida airplanes parked at a Miami International Airport hangar along Northwest 36th Street in 1984.
Air Florida airplanes parked at a Miami International Airport hangar along Northwest 36th Street in 1984. Albert Coya Miami Herald File

Florida once had a high-flying namesake airline. Air Florida started out as a commuter company, expanded to key cities in the state, and then evolved into a full-service carrier with flights to the Northeast and even Europe.

The orange, blue and green planes, with the distinctive “AF” logo on the tail were all over the Miami airport from the early 1970s through the mid-1980s.

But like other Miami-based airlines, the carrier ran into financial problems, declared bankruptcy before being absorbed by another airline in 1984. Air Florida’s problems started after a 1982 plane crash into the icy Potomac in Washington, D.C.

MORE: Do you remember these airlines in Miami? Looking back at Eastern, National and Pan Am

Let’s look back at those better days, through the Miami Herald photo archives, when Air Florida carried the name of the Sunshine State and flew to a lot of places you wanted to go:

THE PLANES

One of the last Air Florida planes at its gate on concourse D sits waiting for a tow truck to take it back to the maintenance hangars after announcement of bankruptcy in 1984.
One of the last Air Florida planes at its gate on concourse D sits waiting for a tow truck to take it back to the maintenance hangars after announcement of bankruptcy in 1984. Bob East Miami Herald File
Air Florida planes parked at the airport.
Air Florida planes parked at the airport. Miami Herald File
An Air Florida plane at the airport in 1980.
An Air Florida plane at the airport in 1980. Steve Dozier Miami Herald File
Air Florida
Air Florida Miami Herald File
Air Florida passengers exit a plane in 1974.
Air Florida passengers exit a plane in 1974. Miami Herald File
Passengers board an Air Florida flight in Orlando in 1975.
Passengers board an Air Florida flight in Orlando in 1975. John Pineda Miami Herald File

MORE: What did Miami’s airport look like in the 1950s and ’60s. These photos will show you

THE EMPLOYEES

Seminole headbands and serving aprons were part of Air Florida’s flight attendant uniforms. The authentic Indian apparel was created by Seminole artisans.
Seminole headbands and serving aprons were part of Air Florida’s flight attendant uniforms. The authentic Indian apparel was created by Seminole artisans. Miami Hreald File
Flight attendants aboard an Air Florida flight to Orlando: Sue Weber, Bonnie Williams, Paula Berris
Flight attendants aboard an Air Florida flight to Orlando: Sue Weber, Bonnie Williams, Paula Berris Bob East Miami Herald File
An Air Florida ticket agent helps travelers in 1984.
An Air Florida ticket agent helps travelers in 1984. Bob East Miami Herald
The Air Florida operations room in back of the ticket counter at Miami International Airport in 1984.
The Air Florida operations room in back of the ticket counter at Miami International Airport in 1984. Bob East Miami Herald File
In 1972, flight attendants are ready to welcome travelers aboard an Air Florida 707 flight. The flight attendants are, from left, Vicky Smith, Nancy Lancaster, Pat Rice, Connie Harper and Donna Wolson.
In 1972, flight attendants are ready to welcome travelers aboard an Air Florida 707 flight. The flight attendants are, from left, Vicky Smith, Nancy Lancaster, Pat Rice, Connie Harper and Donna Wolson. Miami Herald File
Air Florida’s ticket counter in Miami.
Air Florida’s ticket counter in Miami. Bob East Miami Herald File
Air Florida executives, left to right, Bob Booth, Eli Timmoner and Ed Acker in 1980.
Air Florida executives, left to right, Bob Booth, Eli Timmoner and Ed Acker in 1980. Bob East Miami Herald File

This story was originally published April 11, 2024 at 5:00 AM.

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