Air FloridaQH

Air Florida was a low-cost carrier that pioneered affordable transatlantic and Caribbean travel in the 1970s and early 1980s. Headquartered in Miami, the airline became a symbol of the deregulation era, offering competitive fares and an innovative hub-and-spoke model centered at Miami International Airport (MIA) and Fort Lauderdale (FLL).

Founded in 1971, Air Florida grew rapidly during the airline deregulation period, expanding from regional service to transatlantic routes and becoming one of the first US carriers to offer cheap transatlantic fares. At its peak in 1983, Air Florida was the second-largest airline based in Florida and operated a diverse route network spanning the Caribbean, Central America, Latin America, and Europe.

The airline's legacy is defined by both innovation and tragedy. Air Florida pioneered the low-cost, high-frequency Caribbean and transatlantic model that influenced industry pricing for decades. However, the airline is most remembered for Air Florida Flight 90, which crashed on January 13, 1982, while attempting to take off from Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) during a severe snowstorm, killing 78 of the 79 people on board.

Air Florida ceased operations in July 1984, following rapid network contraction and financial pressures during a challenging aviation market. The carrier operated for approximately 13 years before declaring bankruptcy.