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This categories is intended for sites about the history of the people, facilities, equipment, and company operations of three airlines which shared the Braniff name: Braniff Airways, later Braniff International, in operation from 1928 to 1982; Braniff, operational from 1985-1989; and Braniff International Airline, a charter service in operation in 1991 and 1992. The first Braniff grew aggressively from its Dallas base and in the 1960s became known for its flamboyant advertising, decor and flight attendant uniforms. Braniff was the only U.S. airline to offer regular Concorde service (a codeshare Braniff flight was the first commercial supersonic flight to the United States), and the airline also pioneered mid-continent service to Europe and Hawaii. At the time of deregulation, Braniff International was the fifth largest airline in the United States. Costs associated with mounting debt and questionable accounting were compounded by a massive post-deregulation expansion, however, and BusinessWeek cited trouble at the airline in October of 1979. After several years of substantial losses, Braniff International ceased operations in May 1982, the first major U.S. airline ever to declare bankruptcy.
Sites concerning the history of the aircraft, personnel, and corporate operations of Eastern Airlines, founded as Pitcairn Aviation in 1927. A pioneer in shuttle aviation and in the use of many aircraft, Eastern peaked in the 1970s, serving domestic and international destinations from hubs at Atlanta and Miami and identified as one of the "big four" U.S. domestic airlines. Following deregulation, however, Eastern's financial position declined progressively. Its 1989 sale to Texas Air owner Frank Lorenzo proved disastrous; Lorenzo filed Eastern for bankruptcy but was unable to gain the trust either of employees or investors, and the airline's remaining assets were liquidated in 1991.
Pan American World Airways, commonly called Pan Am, was founded as a humble mail carrier in Key West, Florida in 1927. Its founder, Juan Trippe, lobbied heavily for and gained a virtual monopoly on international routes from U.S. cities. Since many of its early destinations were port cities lacking airport facilities, Pan Am made extensive use of so-called "flying boats," culminating in "clipper" service on trans-Pacific and some European routes. A pioneer in jet service and jumbo jets, Pan Am remained the leading U.S. carrier on international routes into the 1970s, from bases at New York-JFK, Miami, San Francisco, and Los Angeles. Under pressure from competitors, however, the government granted international routes to competitors. Pan Am's post-deregulation entry into the domestic market was troubled. Pan Am sold off its lucrative routes piece by piece to United, American, Delta, Lufthansa, and other competitors, but was unable to service its debt, and the airline ceased operation in December 1991. The name and insignia were purchased out of bankruptcy court, and adopted by a revived airline which offered limited continental service from 1995 to 1998 before also succumbing. In 1998, yet another revived airline was established in New Hampshire, providing limited and charter service primarily to the northeastern U.S. and some Caribbean destinations.