Florida-based low-cost carrier of the early jet age.
Founded
1971
Headquarters
Miami, United States
Air Florida was a United States regional and low-cost airline that operated primarily in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Founded in the deregulation era, it expanded aggressively after the Airline Deregulation Act of 1978, growing from a small Florida intrastate carrier into a transatlantic and transcontinental operator.
The airline is most infamously remembered for Air Florida Flight 90, which crashed into the 14th Street Bridge in Washington, D.C., on January 13, 1982, shortly after takeoff from Washington National Airport during a severe winter storm, killing 78 people. The accident was attributed to crew failure to activate engine anti-ice systems and improper use of engine thrust settings.
Following the crash, Air Florida suffered severe financial and reputational damage. The airline filed for bankruptcy and ceased operations in 1984, having never fully recovered from the disaster and mounting competitive pressures.
Hubs & network
Air Florida operated primarily out of Miami International Airport and Washington National Airport.
Fleet
Air Florida operated Boeing 737-100, 737-200, and Boeing 727 aircraft during its peak years.
Notable facts
- ›Air Florida Flight 90 crashed into the Potomac River and the 14th Street Bridge on January 13, 1982, killing 78 people.
- ›The airline expanded rapidly after U.S. airline deregulation in 1978, adding international and transcontinental routes.
- ›Air Florida filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection before ceasing all operations in 1984.
- ›The Flight 90 disaster prompted significant changes to airline crew training regarding winter weather operations.
- ›At its peak, Air Florida flew to destinations in Europe and the Caribbean in addition to domestic U.S. routes.
This profile is provided for general information only. Contact details may be inaccurate or outdated — always verify with the airline's official website before acting on them.
