DALLAS — Today, in 1972, Miami-based Air Florida (QH) commenced revenue operations using a number of second-hand Lockheed Electras.
Businessman Eli Timoner had seen the rise of Pacific Southwest Airlines (PS) in California and wanted to emulate its success with his new intrastate airline.
With twice-daily flights between Miami (MIA), Orlando (MCO), and St. Petersburg (PIE), the airline quickly carved out a niche for itself.
Change at the Top
Former Braniff (BN) CEO Ed Acker purchased a controlling interest in the airline in 1975 and began to expand its operation. Acker then added a number of second-hand Douglas DC-9-10s and Boeing 737-100s and -200s to the fleet. The Airline Deregulation Act in 1978 also allowed QH to rapidly expand its network outside of Florida…