Category Archives: Eastern Airlines (2nd)

The Eastern name is back in Miami after nearly 24 years

Eastern Air Lines‘ (2nd) (Miami) Boeing 737-8AL N276EA (msn 3507) minutes ago brought the Eastern name back to Miami International Airport after nearly 24 years. The original Eastern Airlines (1st) (Miami) ceased operations on January 18, 1991.

Top Photo: Miami International Airport. N276EA was greeted at MIA after its long delivery flight from Shannon via Portsmouth with the traditional water cannon welcome.

Above Photo: Miami International Airport. The “Spirit of Captain Eddie Rickenbacker” adorns the nose of N276EA. The World War I fighter ace and national hero also lead the original Eastern. He was nearly killed in the crash of Eastern flight 21 at Candler Field (now Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport) on February 26, 1941.

Above Photo: Miami International Airport. At the welcoming ceremonies MIA Director Emilio T. Gonzalez presents Eastern CEO Ed Wegel a vintage photo of the 36th Street Terminal at Miami International circa 1949.

Bottom Copyright Photo: Brian McDonough/AirlinersGallery.com. Before landing, the flight crew in coordination with the Miami ATCT performed a low-altitude fly-by of runway 08L-26R at Miami International Airport. MIA lost two hub airlines in 1991, the first Eastern in January and Pan Am in December. Both names live on in South Florida with the many former employees living in Florida. There is no name recognition problem for the new Eastern in South Florida.

The Eastern name to return to the skies of South Florida this afternoon

Eastern Air Lines Group, Inc. (2nd) (Miami) today will bring back the Eastern name to the skies of South Florida. Boeing 737-8AL N276EA (msn 35070, ex 5Y-KYB) departed Shannon at 0026 UTC this morning bound for Portsmouth, New Hampshire (PSM). After clearing customs and immigration and refueling the 737 will continue to Miami International Airport (MIA). The aircraft will fly down the coast of South Florida to South Beach before turning to MIA where it is expected to arrive around 1500 (3 pm) to the traditional water cannon salute and official welcome. N276EA will be utilized for crew training and the FAA airline certification process. Once the Air Operators Certificate (AOC) is obtained in 2015 the airline is expected to start operations as a charter airline.

Above: The aircraft has now stopped at Portsmouth. Follow the progress of N276EA via FlightAware: CLICK HERE

The new Eastern describes its current status on its website:

In late 2011, a professional group of airline managers acquired the intellectual property of Eastern Air Lines to develop a new business and financing plan to re-launch the airline, and formed Eastern Air Lines Group, Inc.

The team put together a plan to re-launch Eastern to be based at Miami International Airport (“MIA”). It quickly established working relationships with strategic partners including the Miami Airport Authority, Amadeus and Boeing.

Eastern’s relationship with Amadeus dates back to Eastern’s reservation system, called System One. This system was eventually sold by Eastern and later became the core of the Amadeus system. Eastern also has a special and unique relationship with Boeing dating back to the 1930s– Eastern was the first to operate the Boeing 727 and the 757.

The team developed a multi-level business and financing plan that was successfully used to raise the capital required for Eastern to be certified under FAA Regulation Part 121. That work has commenced, led by one of the industry’s leading certification consultants, Locked On. Today, the new Eastern is working with various industry-leading aircraft leasing companies to assemble a fleet of 737–Next Generation aircraft, and has signed an initial order with Boeing for new 737-800 aircraft with deliveries commencing in April 2017.

In addition, Eastern has moved into its headquarters office space at Building 5A at MIA, which was the former Eastern Operations Center, a four story building at the corner of LeJeune and 36th Street, and which once housed all of Eastern’s system control and maintenance control centers, and other operating units.

Eastern has commenced its filings with the DOT and is currently preparing its formal submissions for the FAA. See News and Press Releases for updates.

Eastern Air Lines Group, Inc. has also formed several subsidiaries to assist in its growth in the years to come. These subsidiaries are “Eastern Shuttle” and “Eastern Express.” As well, Eastern has formed its new mileage and loyalty program, called “LatinOnePass,” also known as “LatinOne.”

Top Photo: Eastern Air Lines Group, Inc. A rainbow glistens the first aircraft of the new Eastern at Shannon. The aircraft is now registered as N276EA and appropriately named the “Spirit of Capt. Eddie Rickenbacker”.

Below Photo: Eastern Air Lines Group: The uniforms of the new Eastern:

A look back: Eastern Airlines (1st) aircraft slide show:

http://airlinersgallery.smugmug.com/Airlines-UnitedStates-1/Airlines-UnitedStates-1/Eastern-Airlines

The new Eastern to use CAE for pilot training simulators

Eastern Air Lines (2nd) (Miami) has announced it has signed a letter of intent (LOI) with CAE, the flight simulator manufacturer, under which CAE will provide Eastern with flight training solutions as it grows its fleet of Boeing 737-800 and MAX aircraft and eventually the Mitsubishi Regional Jet.

The new Eastern is planning to re-establish an Eastern Flight Training Academy in Miami.

The first Boeing 737-800 is due to arrive from Shannon, Ireland via a fuel stop in Miami on December 19.

The new Eastern and Surinam Airways announce a strategic partnership, the first Boeing 737-800 is due to be introduced in Miami on December 19

Eastern Air Lines (2nd) (Miami) and Surinam Airways (Paramaribo) have announced a strategic partnership including operational support, maintenance and training according to this joint statement:

Surinam Airways and Eastern Air Lines Group, Inc. announced on November 13 a strategic partnership between the two airlines, encompassing cooperation in the areas of operational support, maintenance, and training.

The partnership will eventually include mutual support in sales and marketing.

“We are very pleased and honored to partner with Surinam Airways, and to support each other as we grow our airlines. Surinam Airways is an excellent operator with a breadth of experience and we expect to share best practices and find common areas of cost reduction and operational support.” said Ed Wegel, President and CEO of Eastern Air Lines.

“Surinam Airways is delighted to be in a partnership with the new Eastern Air Lines. We believe this is an effective way for our airline to extend its reach by cooperating with Eastern at its Miami base of operations. We look forward to our teams working together to find operational synergies between our two airlines.” Said Ewald Henshuijs, CEO of Surinam Airways.

On the weekend of November 22 the new airline held a recruiting session for new flight attendants.

Eastern Air Lines plans to begin operating Boeing 737-800 aircraft from its Miami base in early 2015. The new Eastern will initially operate as a charter airline and is currently going through its AOC certification process. The next proving phase will start on the arrival of the first Boeing 737-800 in Miami.

According to the Miami Herald, the majority stockholder in the company is Vincent Viola who is also the co-owner of the Florida Panthers. The team is likely to become one of the early charter customers.

Copyright Photo: SM Fitzwilliams Collection/AirlinersGallery.com. Former Kenya Airways Boeing 737-8AL 5Y-KYB (msn 35070), currently at Shannon, Ireland, will become N276EA “Spirit of Capt. Eddie Rickenbacker” on delivery. N276EA is due to be formally introduced on December 19 at a ceremony at Miami International Airport.

The original Eastern Airlines (1st) aircraft slide show:

Surinam Airways aircraft slide show:

The first new Eastern Boeing 737-800 is rolled out of the paint shop at Shannon

Eastern Air Lines (2nd) (Miami) this week will take delivery of its first Boeing 737-800. Today (November 4) the former Kenya Airways Boeing 737-8AL 5Y-KYB (msn 35070) was rolled out of the Eirtech hangar at Shannon in full Eastern livery. The 737 is named the “Spirit of Captain Eddie Rickenbacker” and will become N276EA on delivery. N276EA is due to arrive in Miami later this week.

Video: TV commercials from the original Eastern Airlines:

The first Boeing 737-800 for the new Eastern will arrive in early December as N276EA

Eastern Air Lines (2nd) (Miami) has announced they are planning to take delivery of the first Boeing 737-800 during the first week of December 2014. The first aircraft will be registered as N276EA (msn 35070, ex Kenya Airways 5Y-KYB) which has been reserved by Eastern Air Lines with the FAA. N276EA will be named the “Spirit of Capt. Eddie Rickenbacker” according to the new airline. The new Eastern is going through the FAA certification process.

Image: Eastern Air Lines (2nd).

The original Eastern Airlines (2nd) Aircraft Slide Show:

Video: Eastern Airlines TV commercials for the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s:

Video: By George Mihal. Eastern aircraft at Charlotte (old terminal) circa 1956 including a Lockheed Constellation.

The new Eastern announces a new major investor

Eastern Air Lines (2nd) (Miami) has issued this statement:

Eastern Air Lines is pleased to announce the closing of its current equity round, with a major investment from Mr. Vincent Viola. Mr. Viola is an investor and entrepreneur whose business career has spanned over three decades. He previously rose to Chairman of the New York Mercantile Exchange, and is currently the Chairman of Virtu Financial, as well as the co-founder and a significant shareholder in Independent Bank in Texas and the owner of the Florida Panthers of the National Hockey League.

Mr. Viola is also a graduate of the United States Military Academy and New York Law School and has led the funding and creation of the Combating Terrorism Center at West Point. Over the past 30 years he has been a leading advocate for veteran’s issues and philanthropy.

“We are extremely honored to have Mr. Viola as our major shareholder and having the benefit of his broad business experience as a board member. He is a patriot as well as a highly accomplished business and civic leader, with a strong commitment to South Florida where Eastern is headquartered”, said Ed Wegel, Eastern’s President and CEO.

Mr. Viola commented, “I am delighted to be part of the re-launch of this great American company, and look forward to working closely with Eastern’s board and management in guiding the growth of this charter airline.”

The new carrier is hiring pilots. Previously on June 30 the company issued this statement:

Eastern Air Lines Group, Inc. has announced it is now accepting pilot applications online. Eastern plans to begin operating Boeing 737- 800 aircraft from its Miami base, subject to US government regulatory approval.

“This is an exciting time in our industry and Eastern will be providing good flight crew jobs with great promotion potential as we grow with 737 Next Generation aircraft, and eventually the 737 MAX,” said Eastern’s Vice President of Flight Operations, Captain John Furneaux.

Eastern is hiring Line Pilots and Check Airmen. The airline will initially hire a cadre of ten Captains and then additional hires of 25 to 30 pilots. Favorable consideration will be given to pilots with Boeing 737 and 757/767 type ratings. The airline expects pilots will have an extraordinary opportunity to advance rapidly during Eastern’s growth phase.

In addition, Eastern will offer compensation packages comparable to those of similar airlines.

Minimum qualifications include:

Valid FAA ATP Certificate
Current FAA First Class Medical Certificate
Valid FCC Restricted Radio Telephone Operator Permit
Favorable background check, including PRIA records examination, criminal history records check and National Driver Registry check
Bachelor degree
Current passport and legal eligibility to work in the United States
Current US driver’s license
Captain flight time minimums:
7000 hours total fixed-wing PIC/SIC flight time
2000 hours fixed-wing, turbo jet, PIC flight time
First Officer flight time minimums:
3000 hours total fixed-wing PIC/SIC flight time
1000 hours fixed-wing, turbo jet and/or turbo prop, PIC flight time

In addition to pilots, Eastern is seeking to fill a variety of other positions listed on the Career Opportunities page of its website. Interested and qualified candidates are encouraged to apply online.

Image: Eastern Air Lines.

Eastern Airlines (1st) Slide Show:

The new Eastern Air Lines signs a MOU for 20 Mitsubishi MRJ90s

Mitsubishi Aircraft Corporation announced today that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for an order for twenty firm MRJ90 with purchase rights to an additional twenty MRJ90s with the Eastern Air Lines Group, Inc. (Eastern Airlines 2nd) (Miami). Based on this MOU, both companies will move forward to conclude a definitive agreement in the near future. Deliveries are scheduled to commence in 2019.

Eastern previously stated they had ordered the Boeing 737-800 in order to start operations. The proposed airline is still in the FAA certification process.

Edward J. Wegel, Eastern Air Lines Group President and CEO said, “We are extremely impressed with the operating cost benefits of the MRJ with the geared turbofan engine, which reduces seat mile costs almost to the level of current 130 – seater aircraft. This provides an excellent scheduling and route network advantage to Eastern as we look to add a second fleet type within five years.”

Thus far, 325 MRJ are on order, including 25 (15 firm, 10 option) from All Nippon Airways Co., Ltd., 100 (50 firm, 50 option) from Trans States Holdings, Inc. and 200 (100 firm, 100 option) from SkyWest, Inc.

The new Eastern orders 10 Boeing 737-800s

Eastern Air Lines Group, Inc. (2nd) (Miami) has signed an initial order and placed deposits with the Boeing Company for ten (10) firm Next Generation 737-800 aircraft and purchase rights for ten (10) Boeing MAX 8 aircraft.

“Eastern is extremely honored and privileged to be in business with Boeing once again. Eastern’s strong relationship with Boeing dates back to the 1930’s, and later Eastern was the first airline to order and operate both the Boeing 727 and 757 aircraft. We will now proudly have the Boeing 737 Next Generation, and eventually the MAX aircraft, as our fleet standard,” said Edward J. Wegel, Eastern’s President and CEO.

Image: Eastern Air Lines Group.

Eastern Airlines (1st):

The new Eastern picks the Boeing 737-800 as its first aircraft type, will Spirit Airlines beat it to Miami?

Eastern Air Lines Group, Inc. (Miami), better known as the proposed “new Eastern”, has apparently selected the Boeing 737-800 as its first aircraft type. The new version of Eastern had previously looked at the Airbus A319 and later the A320.

On their website, the group has added a rendering of a Boeing 737-800 with Winglets in Eastern colors (above) with this photo caption:

This is the current artists rendering of an Eastern Boeing 737-800 in the Eastern livery. This aircraft, the “Spirit of Captain Eddie Rickenbacker” is expected to be delivered to Eastern in late Summer 2014.

As previously reported, in January 2014, the new Eastern filed an application with the United States Department of Transportation (DOT) for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity.

When the first aircraft arrives, the new proposed airline will then go through the final Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Part 121 certification process leading to an Air Operators Certificate (AOC).

The new airline has proposed using Miami as its new hub.

Spirit Airlines is reportedly in negotiations to bring some of its ultra low-fare operations to Miami. Spirit Airlines has looked at Miami briefly in the past but decided to keep all of its South Florida operations at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL).

Read the report from Brian Andrews of CBS Miami: CLICK HERE

Image: Eastern Air Lines Group, Inc.

Eastern Airlines (1st) Slide Show:

Spirit Airlines Slide Show: