The EAL Radio Show

October 5, 2020

Eastern Airlines transported the football team, 

The New England Patriots 

to Kansas for their game. 

EAL Radio Show

Monday, April 27, 2020

Episode 455

"Challenge of Return Flights

(Ushuaia, Argentina to U.S.)

 Known As "The End of the World."

Photo: Martina Tchorz with Crew of Eastern Airlines LLC

The EAL Radio Show has our next topic on Monday, April 27, 2020, Episode 455 "Challenge of Return Flights (Ushuaia, Argentina to U.S.) Known As "The End of the World." An Incredibly True Journey"

Captain Neal received this E-mail on our EAL Radio Show Website of an incredible journey of Martina, Jack and daughter Emili Tchorz who were located in the Islas Melvinas, Tierra Del Fuego Province, Antarctica Sur, Ushuaia, Argentina and airports closed in Ushuaia and Rio Grande and have not been able to get a flight since March 15th to reach Buenos Aires.

Their note said: "We are trying to reach out to the Executive team at Eastern to help us get home. This is the only brave and considerate airline that is trying to help U.S. citizens come back home from South America. However, the last flight from Buenos Aires is scheduled for March 31st, 2020 and our family of 3 (three) is not able to make it in time.

The U.S. Embassy is working with the Argentinean Air Force and there may be a possible rescue flight on April 1st or 2nd, that will take us to Buenos Aires. However that means, that we are not able to make the March 31st flight operated by Eastern Airlines. Therefore we are trying to reach out to someone who can either schedule another flight or postpone the current (there are still spaces as of today's online availability check) so we can come home. Please assist us in forwarding this plea to the appropriate decision maker.

Coronavirus: Holland America lets off cruise passengers; 14 critically ill taken to Florida hospitals By David O. Morgan Hines Jayme Deerwester USA TODAY.

Passengers from the ill-fated Holland America Zaandam cruise ship were carefully freed from their cabins and allowed to touch dry land on Friday for the first time in weeks, following the removal of 14 critically ill people who were wheeled off to Florida hospitals bracing for an onslaught of coronavirus patients.

The Zaandam and the Rotterdam, which rendezvoused last week to transfer healthy passengers to the Rotterdam, were both given permission to disembark passengers at Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, after days of negotiation with local officials who feared it would divert needed resources from a region that has seen a spike in COVID-19 cases.

About 250 people have reported influenza-like symptoms, which are similar to those of the novel coronavirus, since March 22, including 17 aboard the Rotterdam, according to a docking plan. It was unclear when the bodies of four passengers who died on the Zaandam would be removed from the ship. Two of the four deaths on board the Zaandam have been blamed on COVID-19, and causes of death for the other two have not been disclosed.

The exodus from the Zaandaam and its sister ship the Rotterdam was expected to continue throughout the day. Floridians were getting off first, followed by other passengers. Buses were taking people healthy enough to travel directly to the airport, where they’ll board chartered flights home without going through the terminal. At least four buses brought the first small groups to Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport on Friday morning, where they prepared to board two planes waiting on the tarmac. The passengers wore masks, while paramedics and airline workers were fully suited up and masked in protective gear.

In a document outlining the disembarkation procedure, Holland America said the first group, which includes around 1,200 passengers who are asymptomatic, will be allowed to disembark Friday or Saturday after passing a health screening. They will also go through customs and border patrol processes at Port Everglades, rather than at the airport. Passengers on board the MS Zaandam and the MS Rotterdam who have been in limbo for more than a week were readying to leave the ship on Thursday.On Wednesday night, Faye and Ed Hoover, among the passengers on board the Rotterdam received a message: Pack your bags.

"We've been told already last night to have our luggage ready to go this morning and to fill out the health forms and get our passports ready," Ed told USA TODAY Thursday afternoon. The pair were getting on a plane early Friday afternoon getting ready for departure. The "process was seamless and pain free," Ed said. "Very organized." They had police escort the whole way.

Holland America said the second group, which includes 26 symptomatic passengers who are not yet fit to travel, will remain on board the ship. All those passengers will be required to quarantine on board. Once they are asymptomatic for 72 hours, they will be allowed to disembark under the same protocol as the first group.The rest of the crew will remain on board.

Port Everglades traffic records confirmed the arrival of the Zaandam and Rotterdam after 5 p.m. local time Thursday. There were 442 guests and 603 crew on the Zaandam, and 808 guests and 583 crew on the Rotterdam. Contributing: Associated Press

Eastern Airlines is taking its first flight between Guayaquil, Ecuador and New York City on January 12th, 2020. To celebrate, we're offering introductory VACATION one-way fares starting from $139 USD* from JFK to GYE and one-way fares from $229 USD* from GYE to JFK. Tickets need to be booked by January 9, 2020 for travel on or before February 23rd.

Whether you're embarking on new territories or finding your way home, you can always count on Eastern Airlines for direct, non-stop flights at the lowest price. Check our website for more information, www.goeasternair.com.

Eastern Airlines Comes Back: New Logo, JFK Hub, Triple Sevens

By Airway Magazine, Enrique Perrella, August 23

MIAMI — The Eastern Air Lines brand seems to be far from gone and forgotten. The iconic and historic airline name will—pending on DOT approval—take off on point-to-point missions to the Caribbean, South America, and even Asia.

In a letter addressed to the airline’s employees, current Eastern Airlines CEO, Steve Harfst, noted that “in support of the development of our new corporate website and the promotion of our new business plan, we have been working very hard getting the new Eastern Airlines ready for take-off.”

The new, new Eastern (now incorporated under Eastern Airlines, LLC), emerged from bankrupt Dynamic International Airways in 2018, which held all the intellectual rights over the iconic airline name, inherited from sister charter company, Swift Air.

Eastern has focused on charter services to a myriad of operators scattered throughout North America and Europe with its fleet of eight Boeing 767-200/300 aircraft. Most recently, Eastern operated ACMI charters for Sunwing Airlines, one of the affected carriers by the worldwide grounding of the Boeing 737 MAX. But with the end of the summer season rapidly approaching, the revived Eastern Airlines seems poised to come back with a boisterous business plan.

Eastern has focused on charter services to a myriad of operators scattered throughout North America and Europe with its fleet of eight Boeing 767-200/300 aircraft. Most recently, Eastern operated ACMI charters for Sunwing Airlines, one of the affected carriers by the worldwide grounding of the Boeing  737 MAX. But with the end of the summer season rapidly approaching, the revived Eastern Airlines seems poised to come back with a boisterous business plan.

Wide Bodies Coming Up?

As reported by Mark Porter, CEO of PA Coastal Airways Route Consultants—an insider who gave Airways all the latest information on the third rebirth of Eastern Airlines—the carrier is expected to launch services with a fleet of second-hand Boeing 767-300 and 777-200 aircraft. Porter notes that the new Eastern is expected to acquire a fleet of several Boeing 767 and 777s, with at least five second-hand 777-200s joining in by May 2020.

This former Kenya Airways 777-2U8(ER), owned by KMW Leasing, will be the first to join the new Eastern Airlines.  Steve Harfst confirmed in his letter that the airline’s intentions are big. “We have been very busy investing in the infrastructure necessary to promote a successful scheduled service network,” he wrote. “We believe that there are strong market opportunities open to Eastern Airlines to provide limited frequency, non-stop service between international markets and the United States.”  More on this article at:
https://airwaysmag.com/airlines/eastern-airlines-3-comes-back/

Mark Porter Reports on Facebook August 19, 2019

I have been following Eastern Airlines growth very carefully. At first, the growth plans were too fast. Originally as I, sure you are aware Swift Airways came in and bought Eastern Airlines 2. Dynamic had just emerged from bankruptcy and bought name and rights from Swift. Kenneth owner if Dynamic also bought   40% of Swift. Now Eastern Airlines has a fleet of Boeing 767 and 777 aircraft.

Recently there are Major updates first Eastern is to rebrand, new logo very Picasso like. Their service will be point to point only. And Into markets that have no nonstop service.

Service begins Sept 16 to Guayaquil, Ecuador, then Georgetown, Guyana then Anchorage, Alaska and Jinan, China. All out of JFK Eastern Airlines Hub. They will operate an all bound fleet of 767 and 777 aircraft. Eastern Airlines new website goes live in 2 weeks. All Eastern Airlines Aircraft will emerge with different liveries. Their approach is to offer the customers low prices and best service in the skies.

777 begin 1Q next year to China. Eastern will be getting 3 more 777 by May,  total of 5. Service begins September 16 JFK to Guayaquil, Ecuador 7 days a week. Soon thereafter service will start to Georgetown, Guyana. Eastern Airlines CEO Steven Harfst who I personally think is brilliant guy, said that Eastern plans to expand service to the Caribbean and South America. All Eastern aircraft will give the most modern Wi-Fi in the air and Passengers will receive in-flight service we have not seen in years. Finally, passengers will enjoy flying again.  

 Eastern Airlines, that famous American airline of the 70's and 80's, has returned to Venezuela making flights to Swift Air; which currently has a leasing contract to make flights to the Miami International Airport, to a well-known Venezuelan airline.

This well-known Venezuelan airline can be identified quickly because it uses the colors of the soursop (South American Fruit, Guanabana, green in color) and uses a fleet of McDonnell Douglas MD-81/82 aircraft (the name of the same can not be mentioned, due to the request of the public relations department), has a leasing contract with Swift Air to make flights from Caracas and Maracaibo to Miami, using Boeing B737-400 and 800 aircraft.

For approximately two weeks, since part of the fleet of B737-400 and 800 of Swift Air aircraft have been out of service (due to scheduled and unscheduled maintenance), there have been strong delays in the flights of the Guanábana airline to the city of Miami, especially from Caracas.

Due to the above, and with the objective of moving the largest number of passengers affected by delayed flights, Swift Air has enabled a Boeing B767-300 with registration N706KW which currently belongs to the active fleet of Eastern Airlines / Dynamic Airlines, which they are part of the Swift Air trademark.Interesting to see again in Maiquetía a plane with the name and logo of Eastern Airlines, in this case a Boeing B767-300 with capacity to carry 244 passengers and equipped with two engines Rolls Royce RB-211-524H and manufactured in 1990. He was the Construction number (C / N): 24339 and line number (L / N): 298. It is likely that we will frequently see this Boeing B767 from Eastern in Maiquetía, because as we indicated in this previous report, it is planned that the Guanábana airline use this plane, as part of the agreement with Swift Air to make flights to Miami

Juan Mollfulleda  Eastern/Swift Fan Hangout

Wednesday at MIA, great news, I spoke to one employee from the decals company and he told me the Swift have order 30 sets of Eastern logos including the stripes. Sounds very good to me this = 15 planes with Eastern colors.

____________________________________

Mark Porter (Mark manages the membership and posts for Eastern/Swift Fan Hangout.) It is just very odd that they are not going to paint the cheat lines on.

____________________________________

Steven John Sladic: Maybe they are, we will have to see

____________________________________

Mark Porter: Saving money on old planes.

____________________________________

Steven John Sladic: Mark Porter smart move, when they get newer planes, they will prolly paint them on

____________________________________

Edward Elley: Baling wire and duct tape

FB Comments
May 29 at 12:58pm

Nelson Acosta: Grapevine, TX -

Eastern came to visit me this weekend. ❤️

Shocked that my artist rendering what was slightly accurate...only thing being the Swift “S” on the tail VS the EAL Eagle.

____________________________________

Shaun Heiss: I saw an Eastern 767-300 @ BWI when I went to fly my two day trip @ Southwest this past Sunday. I didn't work for the original Eastern but flew them as a happy customer!

____________________________________

Jack Zatirka: I like the new colors. New airline, new colors. Glad they kept the name and hockey stick. That shows some class and respect for the original.

____________________________________

Miguel  Rodriguez: May 25, 1:13 P.M., Eastern N796JM in Houston Texas, George Bush Intercontinental Airport (KIAH).

Photo (left) taken by plane spotter Esteban Mendoza.

Douglas Saxton: Douglas  manage the membership, moderators, settings, and posts for Eastern/Swift Fan Hangout. The hockey stick on the starboard side is backwards

Seth Lynwood Owens: Fix the falcon and I may drop a like....

Javier D Ferrea: That Falcon on backwards

____________________________________

Ed Cooper, May 23, 2018

I can see where you are coming in. This does not look right at all. The falcon is pointed the wrong way. One is painted in the swift air colors. Others have red strips on the fuselage and on has blue and red strips on the tail. Who starts an airline with aircraft that are not fully painted?

____________________________________

Marion Rostek

This is not Eastern. This is an airline trying to capitalize on the name. Ed Wegel was Eastern. This is not. They can do whatever they like. Presently they are not part of the legacy. It remains to be seen if they ever will be. 

____________________________________

Mark Porter

There are many mistakes being made with the current Airline. Now having said that there are also many good things being made and done with the current Airline. Eastern or shall I say the new Eastern 3 is lucky enough to have an owner and has an airline leasing company and is going to be given 10767 s so they will have no leases to worry about.

Secondly Mr. Woolley is extremely wealthy and is Diversified into many companies including Target so we don't have to worry that much about finances. Now they probably will update the color scheme and the color scheme does need updating but it is terribly important that they keep the Falcon on the tail and not the S and I'm sure they will learn over time. As I see it there are many ways they can take Eastern apparently they're going into Guyana which may or may not prove to be a viable route is going in in December out of Miami still leaving JFK for Non-Stop service for now unless other carriers go in then I would pull out. I believe that the airline must acquire a small turboprop Fleet has the service Islands from San Juan Puerto Rico I am also believer in the Pan Am routes that were used to serve San Juan Puerto Rico.

Miguel Rodriguez May 24

Look who made an appearance in Atlanta.

The more I observe the swift livery the more I'm hoping Eastern gets its hockey stick livery. Hopefully they reveal something soon. Swift has its own livery which is nice I like it for Swift, but so should Eastern have its own original look.

Face Book Comments

05-23-18 Jason Lorenzon Saw at Cle (photo)

Robert Neil McGinn May 23:EASTERN:

The new livery doesn't actually look that bad to me. Trust me, I've seen far worse.

Shea Oakley: How about back to the "hockey-stick" and get the falcon on the forward fuselage in the right direction?

Mark Porter: Yes but they got to put the Falcon on the tail and get it in the right direction

Mark Porter May 21 Tuesday:

There are many mistakes being made with the current Airline. Now having said that there are also many good things being made and done with the current Airline. Eastern or shall I say the new Eastern 3 is lucky enough to have an owner and has an airline leasing company and is going to be given 10-767s, so they will have no leases to worry about. Secondly Mr. Wooly is extremely wealthy and is diversified into many companies including Target so we don't have to worry that much about finances.

Now they probably will update the color scheme and the color scheme does need updating but it is terribly important that they keep the Falcon on the tail and not the S and I'm sure they will learn over time. As I see it there are many ways they can take Eastern; apparently they're going into Guyana which may or may not prove to be a viable route is going in December out of Miami still leaving JFK for Non-Stop service for now unless other carriers go in, then I would pull out. I believe that the airline must acquire a small turboprop Fleet as they service Islands from San Juan, Puerto Rico. I am also believer in the Pan Am routes that were used to serve San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Miguel Rodriguez: Looks like Swift is lending both 276EA and 917XA on a temporary lease to SmartWings for summer travel out in Czech Republic, Prague

Rob Goodman: Have to make money some way.

Thus FB article: Louis, Mechanic Swift, an Eastern former Mechanic: Punta Cana International Airport (IATA: PUJ, ICAO: MDPC) is a privately owned commercial airport in Punta Cana, eastern Dominican Republic.

Facebook Comments

Mark Porter, May 18, 2018:Eastern Air Lines Cleared for Mexico and Guyana service.

Photo: Eastern in PJU

Mark Porter, May 16, 6:32am:

Eastern Air Lines return to the Caribbean as well as central and South America will be a welcome relief to many passengers as prices should drop. American Airlines has dropped JFK-SJU service but will continue to serve the island from Philadelphia, Chicago, Miami and Houston. Leaving Jet Blue and Delta as the Dominate carriers.

Edward Elly: When’s The first flight going to happen?

Eastern Name being painted on the

 Boeing 767-233 Registration #N770JM recently registered by

the FAA to

Eastern Airlines LLC in Greensboro, NC!

By Dorothy Gagnon

A FaceBook Post indicated an assigned number for the Eastern Airlines LLC aircraft (formerly Dynamic Air) was assigned.  A hyperlink to the FAA website Registry for Numbers Assigned, led me to this form. According to this Registration below, the form indicates the number N767-233 submitted by Eastern Airlines LLC is assigned. The last article on the Internet from AiviationNews.online (see below) indicates that this particular aircraft the N767-233 will be slated to have the paint color of Eastern and is scheduled once the FAA registered the number.So we're patiently waiting to see the end results.

AviationNews.online Post

March 15, 2018

by Jon Champs

(Photo of the N770JM will be painted up and prepared as soon as

paperwork and FAA approvals have been granted.)

Eastern Airlines No 2 ended up failing as a business and was absorbed into Swift Air who owns the brand rights. The owners of Swift include Kenneth Woolley of Eastern No.2 who it seems, can’t let go of the Eastern Airlines idea. This time rather than running 737’s, the plan is to run eventually, up to ten 767-200/300ER’s and the first one, currently flying under the Dynamic International Airways brand is slated to be the first.

Dynamic Int'l Airways Revises Scheduled Ops Plans - 12APR2018

By www.ch-aviation.com

Dynamic International Airways (2D, Greensboro) has amended previously announced plans to offer scheduled service between the United States and China, in favour of flights to South America.

In a filing to the US Department of Transportation (DOT) seeking to endorse its claim to substantial fitness, the carrier said it would offer scheduled flights between New York JFK and Georgetown Cheddi Jagan in Guyana using its fleet of B767s. No commencement dates have yet been given in light of the ongoing regulatory proceedings.

Having exited Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings last month, Dynamic International Airways LLC has changed its legal name to Eastern Airlines, LLC. It is also in the process of adopting the Eastern Airlines (2D, Greensboro) brand name.  www.flydya.com

Dynamic Int'l Airways To Rebrand

As Eastern Air Lines

By Ch-aviation

Dynamic International Airways (Greensboro) has announced it has exited Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection as of March 8 and is now seeking to develop its ACMI/charter business using the Eastern Air Lines ( Greensboro) brand. Dynamic said in a disclosure to the US Department of Transportation (DOT) that under its court-approved reorganization plan, it will continue to operate ACMI-type charter flights in a bid to rebuild its financial resources. It said that during its time in bankruptcy protection, it had seen "substantial unmet public/market need for carriers with wide-body convertible aircraft". As such, it requires DOT approval to increase its beyond the current limit of five "large aircraft" to ten.

Dynamic has the infrastructure to operate 10 aircraft and has a strong FAA compliance record," it said. "The current five aircraft restriction significantly limits financial growth and leads to costly inefficiencies in its maintenance department." The carrier highlighted that it already has customer commitments for the use of up to 10 aircraft of which eight will be used for passenger flights and two for cargo.

The long-term objective, Dynamic said, is to introduce longhaul, low-fare scheduled service from China and other markets. As it stands, the airline said it would be submitting a request to register the trade name (d/b/a) of Eastern Air Lines. It is recalled that Eastern Air Lines (2009) (EAL, Miami Int'l) was absorbed into Arizona-based passenger charter specialist Swift Air (USA) (WQ, Phoenix Sky Harbor) last year.

However, access to the Eastern Air Lines branding rights will come by virtue of owner Kenneth Woolley who, in addition to owning 100% of Solitude Strategies, LLC, Dynamic's single shareholder, also controls a 38.75% stake in Swift Air.  All aircraft Dynamic currently operates - one B767-200, two -(ER)s, and two B767-300(ER)s - are dry leased from various LLCs owned by Woolley. However, the disclosure states that Woolley will be donating these leased aircraft to Dynamic in the near future, such that Dynamic will own its entire B767 fleet.

"In addition to the leased aircraft and pending Department approval of Dynamic’s request in this letter, Mr. Woolley is prepared to donate additional Boeing 767 aircraft to Dynamic," it said. In total, Woolley has provided over USD8 million in DIP financing and more than USD50 million in aircraft and cash following the company’s emergence from Chapter 11. He is reportedly prepared to invest up to an additional USD15 million to cover any operating expenses if needed as the new aircraft are integrated into the fleet.

Eastern Airlines Colors! - Swift Air N276EA Boeing 737-8AL(WL) as flight SWQ471 from Punta Cana catching the light on Final for KCLE Runway 24R.

Painted in a livery reminiscent of the old 'Eastern' these aircraft were part of the former new 'Eastern Airlines' fleet launched in 2015 and acquired by Swift Air in the Summer of 2017. The new 'Eastern Air Lines' conducted its last flight September 2017. Swift completed its asset purchase and all remaining Eastern Planes were transferred to the Swift certificate.

In September 2017 Eastern surrendered its certificate to the FAA. Fortunately Swift has chosen to keep these birds in the Eastern Colors for now and keep a little bit of aviation history in the air.

           Eastern Air Lines Cancels Order For 20 MRJs,

Eastern Air Lines and Mitsubishi Aircraft have terminated a purchase agreement for 20 MRJ regional jets, shaving off close to 10% of the manufacturer's firm order book.Mitsubishi tells FlightGlobal in an interview that the sales agreement, which also includes options for an additional 20 of the type, was terminated "very recently", following the airline's acquisition by luxury private charter operator Swift Air. "They sold their business to Swift, they returned their AOC to the US FAA, so this is a change in their business consideration and we agreed that the best option for both parties was to conclude the termination," says Yugo Fukuhara, Mitsubishi's vice president and general manager of sales and marketing.He adds that while the loss of Eastern is "regrettable", he expects it to have no "major impact" on the MRJ programme.

The deal with Eastern was signed in 2014, with deliveries then set for 2019. The delivery timeline has however been pushed back due to two rounds of programme delays since. The manufacturer would not disclose the updated delivery schedule for Eastern, but says that those slots can now be offered to existing and potential customers. With Eastern's cancellation, Mitsubishi now has firm orders for 213 aircraft from six customers, comprising All Nippon Airways, Trans States Holdings, SkyWest Inc, Air Mandalay, Japan Airlines and Aerolease Aviation. Swedish lessor Rockton signed a letter of intent for 10 MRJ90s in 2016, but this still has not been firmed. Asked about the status of Rockton's LOI, Fukuhara points out that the agreement was signed shortly before a two-year delay to the MRJ schedule was announced in 2017. He adds that the airframer is in constant discussions with the lessor, which has asked to incorporate the latest aircraft specifications and performance into the agreement.

It also has Air Mandalay as a customer with firm orders for six aircraft. The Myanmar carrier has, however, suspended operations several times over the past years. Fukuhara says the carrier remains a customer with whom Mitsubishi is in close communication.The MRJ sales and marketing team now has two priorities: taking care of existing customers "under a very tough programme situation", and to continue discussions with potential clients. There are several ongoing sales campaigns, although they are unlikely to be concluded in the near term, says Fukuhara. He is also confident of the programme's progress and says delivery to launch customer All Nippon Airways is on track for mid-2020.

Pilot Errors Revealed in Accident That Saw Pence Plane Skid Off Runway

By Alan Levin

Eastern Air Lines and Swift Air Transaction Details

Swift Air LLC To Assume Certain Airline Assets And Customers From Eastern Air Lines Creating A Premier Supplemental Carrier

 Transaction Details

Both the Swift Air and Eastern Air Lines Boards of Directors have unanimously approved this transaction. Once regulatory approvals have been obtained, this transaction will expand Swift Air’s current book of business and the reach of Swift Air with B737-800’s. These new aircraft will allow Swift Air to expand the scope of the customers it serves. Indeed, Swift Air will be announcing new customers soon.

With the addition of 2 assets from Eastern Air Lines and the complementary addition of 3 aircraft, Swift Air will expand from 13 B737 aircraft to 18 B737 aircraft in the near future. This growth platform will enhance the company as a competitor in its space and allow Swift Air to pursue new endeavors which will be announced soon. Swift Air is known for its high quality service, dedicated employees and fantastic customer base. This transaction builds upon these core strengths while allowing us to pursue new opportunities.

BREAKING: Swift Air to Acquire Eastern Airlines,

 EAL Brand Retained

sby Benjamin Bearup, Aviation News

MIAMI — Charter airline Swift Air will acquire Eastern Airlines, according to an internal email sent to Eastern employees from CEO James Tolzien. The iconic, resurrected Eastern Airlines brand is expected to remain and replace the Swift Air brand, however.  The New Eastern, which began operations in May 2015 operating charter flights for sports teams and to Cuba, has been facing financial challenges in recent months. As a result, billionaire and primary investor Vincent Viola has been trying to find a buyer for the beleaguered carrier with the Swift acquisition or a shutdown, becoming a constant rumor. Viola was at the center of controversy when he was considered to be President Donald Trump’s nominee for United States Secretary of the Army, before withdrawing from consideration, owing to difficulties of divesting of his investments.

There has been additional turbulence in the resurrected brand’s brief history. The airline’s founding CEO Ed Wegel left Eastern in October 2016. A few weeks later on October 27, while carrying Mike Pence on a charter during the Presidential campaign, an Eastern 737-700 skidded off the runway while landing at New York LaGuardia.

Over the last few months, Eastern has had to return several aircraft to lessors. As of right now, the Eastern fleet stands at only three aircraft. One cause of Eastern’s hardship is ironically the United States’ easing of travel restrictions with Cuba under former President Obama.

The “New Eastern” had intended to begin a scheduled operation with a focus on connecting secondary U.S. markets with Caribbean and Latin American destinations. For example, a hub in San Juan was under consideration as well. The new company had licensed the branding for One Pass, the original Eastern’s loyalty program.

Eastern has 20 Mitsubishi MRJ-90s and 10 Boeing 737-MAX 8’s on order. The status of these is unclear. Swift Air, based in Phoenix, has been operating for nearly 20 years. The relatively low key carrier operates charter flights for major professional sports teams and tour operators with a fleet of 13 Boeing 737-300s and 400s. The email to employees alerting them to the merger reads as follows:

“Dear Eastern Employees,

As you know, the company has gone through an incredible re-organizational effort as we’ve worked to re-trench our operations and move toward profitability. We followed up our meetings in March with the return of N280EA in April, the cancellation of unprofitable customer contracts (Guyana, Puerto Rico) and projects (Amadeus, new hangar) in May, and are in the process of returning both N279EA and N278EA in the next two weeks. We have made some difficult decisions regarding staff levels, bringing our total headcount from 240 to 103……about the level that we expect to maintain for the foreseeable future. We continue to measure, monitor, and improve everything we can every day……..and truly hope that all of you are doing the same.

At the meeting in March we also discussed the fact that our shareholders have received several offers to buy or merge the airline and while none were imminent at the time, I promised to keep you informed to the best of my ability about the future of the company. After careful review by our board and several outside advisors, one opportunity stood out as the best option among many. As of 5:30PM today, we have signed definitive documents with Swift Air and I wanted you all to hear it from me first.

In the broadest sense, the deal will make us part of a 20 aircraft airline that will allow us to serve our customer base with exponentially increased economies of scale and flexibility, gives our shareholders the opportunity to participate in the rapid growth of a very profitable company, and ensures the Eastern brand not only survives, but grows.

Swift is in the process of certifying to operate 800s, and it is contemplated that our aircraft and business will move over to them in late August or early September – once the transition is complete, all of Swift’s 800 fleet will be branded with the Eastern name and logo.

Clearly this decision impacts all of us, and between now and the end of August when the closing is expected to occur, I will keep you informed every step of the way. In the next few weeks Nick and I will be working closely with the Swift executive team to determine the infrastructure requirements of the newly combined company – at preliminary meetings this week, it became clear that the combined entity will be fast-growing and will need more space, equipment, and talent.

This transitional planning effort will undoubtedly result in offers for some employees to join the new venture, and financial retention incentives for those who do not. I can assure you both executive teams will work diligently to ensure the best possible outcome for everyone, and will communicate accurately and timely as decisions are made. I realize this news may be disconcerting to many of you, but I hope you will join me in viewing this as a very positive development; it is simply the next exciting chapter of the Eastern Air Lines story.

I want to take this opportunity to thank all of you for everything you have done and will continue to do. You all have remained steadfast in the face of an enormous amount of difficult organizational change, and I ask you to stay the course – we have a great team, and we need to remain diligent, work efficiently, and fly safely………”

Airways has reached out to Eastern for a statement.

Is The Eastern Air Lines Reboot Dead?

by The Unaccompanied Flyer

On May 28th, 2015, a Boeing 737 departed from Miami International Airport to Havana, Cuba.  That flight between Miami and Havana was a charter flight operated by Eastern Air Lines.  The Eastern Air Lines that operated that flight was a reboot of the original Eastern Air Lines that flew from 1926 to 1991.  Airline geeks everywhere rejoiced as the airline operated its first flight.  Though the flight was only a charter flight, many believed that it was a precursor of great things to come for the reboot.

The airline had hoped to begin regularly scheduled passenger flights just months after their first charter flight.  Regularly scheduled passenger flights were anticipated to begin sometime in 2016.  All flights would operate from the airline’s hub in Miami and would be flown using Boeing 737s.  Eastern Air Lines even had a frequent-flyer program ready to launch, LatinOnePass.  However, nearly two years since Eastern’s first flight, the airline’s future is looking bleaker with every passing day.

Eastern Air Lines CEO is having Second Thoughts

Eastern Air Lines CEO, Vincent Viola, reportedly considered selling his share in the company.  Viola was said to have been considering selling his majority share in Eastern Air Lines in favor of a minority share of Swift Air, an American-based charter airline.  The billionaire was, for several weeks, President Trump’s nominee for Secretary of the Army.  However, he recently dropped out of the running citing ethics concerns.

Additionally, according to Dealbreaker, Viola’s companies need him. “The former official said Mr. Viola felt he was unable to sell his interest in some of his holdings because doing so could have destroyed those companies.” When the majority shareholder of an airline considers selling their shares to invest in a competitor (be ethics concerns or something else), that’s typically a red flag.  However, it should be noted that Viola has yet to sell his shares at Eastern.  Though it should also be noted that Eastern Air Lines is just a small piece of Viola’s portfolio.  Viola is worth nearly 2 billion dollars as of December 2016 with business throughout the world.

The Airline Has Yet to Seek Regularly Scheduled Passenger Flights

A big part of what Eastern Air Lines was going for was regularly scheduled passenger service.  Aviation analysts and industry geeks both praised the airline for pacing itself.  The decision to operate as a charter carrier for the first year or so was viewed as a smart decision that would allow the airline to generate revenue and recruit pilots and crew.  However, Eastern was only supposed to operate as a charter airline for twelve to eighteen months.  It’s been nearly 24 months since the airline’s first charter flight and the airline has yet to seek approval to begin scheduled passenger service.  The process in which an airline seeks FAA approval to operate regularly scheduled passenger flights can last for months and is not a minor hurdle.

Eastern Air Lines’ decision not to seek regularly scheduled passenger service could just be a delay or it could a sign of something else.  The airline could very well have ditched plans to operate regularly scheduled passenger service in favor of charter flights.  It could also be the result of financial troubles at the airline.  Unfortunately, little is known about why Eastern has yet to seek approval for passenger flights so any of those three scenarios could be likely.

The MRJ is Delayed, Again

Eastern Air Lines ordered 20 of Mitsubishi’s MRJ90s.  The MRJ90 is expected to accommodate up to 90 passengers and has a range of 1550 nautical miles.  Those twenty MRJs were to compliment the airline’s 17 Boeing 737s.  However, after a fifth delay at Mitsubishi, Eastern Air Lines will likely have to wait until 2021 to receive its first MRJ90. It’s also worth mentioning that the airline experienced a major setback after an incident involving one of its first Boeing 737s in LGA.  The aircraft was damaged and underwent repairs.  The aircraft is back in service, however, after undergoing costly repairs and months of lost service potential.

Private Twitter Account, Terrible Social Media Reach- Eastern Air Lines Twitter Feed (Image: Twitter)

Probably not the best indicator of a failing airline, terrible social media can indicate trouble.  Eastern Air Lines used to manage a public Twitter account, as most airlines do.  However, this is no longer the case.  The airline hasn’t tweeted since September of 2015 and finally made their Twitter account private.  Additionally, the airline doesn’t share any details about flights or operations on either of its two active social media platforms.  On Facebook, the airline is active sharing vintage Eastern Air Lines ads.  What I’m getting at here is that the airline has no intention of allowing passengers or media to easily inquire about operations.  This is another indication that the airline will just continue to operate as a charter carrier.

Overall

A lot of aviation geeks really wanted to see the new Eastern Air Lines work.  The airline and its shareholders had what seemed to be a pretty solid plan for operating a new airline in a very competitive industry I might add.  The new Eastern was to start up flying charter flights and within a year, would start regularly scheduled passenger flights with a fleet of four or so Boeing 737s.  Here we are, two years later and there’s no talk of regularly scheduled passenger service.  To make matters worse, the airline’s CEO doesn’t appear to care that much about this venture.  Now, add the expensive cost to repair a Boeing 737 and another delay of an entire fleet of regional jets.

I’m not saying that Eastern Air Lines is in dire financial trouble.  I have no idea and I don’t feel comfortable jumping to conclusions.  What I am getting at is that it appears the new Eastern Air Lines is comfortable operating as a charter carrier and might not ever operate regularly scheduled flights.

Sightings, Eastern Air Lines Group, LLC

By Dorothy C. Gagnon, Webmaster

2.  April 11 Rizov shared a link to the group EasternAirlines@NewGeneration shows The Eastern Boeing 737-8SH (WL) N283EA that was apparently delivered to Norwind Airlines on April 4, 2017 as VQ-BDC.

3. That same aircraft N283EA s shown as a sighting at MIA, Fl on November 23, 2016 as Eastern’s first brand new Boeing 737BSH that recently arrived at Miami International Airport. Their fleet now consists of five Boeing 737-800 and one Boeing 737-700 aircraft. (Photo by George at MIA)

4. Sighting  April 12 (photo above) from JFK traveling to Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, Netherlands  then April 13 onto Paris, France and the last leg, JFK.

Eastern Airline Group Rumor

By Dorothy C. Gagnon, Webmaster

The rumor on the Internet is that Eastern Air Lines Group has received an official Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) presumably linked to Swift Air who has a corporate headquarters in Phoenix, AZ and an Operations  Headquarters in Greensboro, NC.

However, the details have not been made public and there is conflicting information on the Internet. One source says “The pilots left at EA have been told to expect a merger starting in early June completed by year end. The EA name will survive and supposedly the certificate will be turned in. Details will be forthcoming by end of month on pay, seniority list integration, etc.”

The other source “Jeff Conry, Swift Air President and CEO states there is no merger, managing, acquisition or buy out. That aircraft are being acquired from Eastern to the certificate.”

We have no idea what that means for Eastern Air Lines Group and its future.

We do know that back in 2013 they {Swift Air} were securing funding to prepare to exit a bankruptcy. Article on this can been seen by going to:

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/swift-air-llc-secures-funding-prepares-to-exit-bankruptcy-218979811.html.

October 2016

Astonishing News, Ed Wegel is Being Replaced

At The Eastern Air Lines Group

By Dorothy C. Gagnon, EARA Editor

October 17, 2016 Eastern Airlines Retirees were astounded to hear the news flash of the step-down of Ed Wegel as CEO and President from the Eastern Air Lines Group, Inc. in an article on the website of Airways Magazine by Chris Sloan. The Eastern Facebook page said the same to that effect. None of us wanted to believe this. We do know that circumstances do change and if Ed Wegel decided to leave the company and/or agreed to terminate in the interest of EAL’s future, as CEOs elsewhere have had to do, so be it!

Ed Wegel started the EAL Group, Inc. in 2008 and sought out investors for their financial support. Ed contributed 8 years service and got the Charter business up and running with many sports’ contracts to add to their client base; FIU, Florida Panthers, Georgia Southern, Georgia State, to name a few charters.

Our Eastern family thought this was unheard of especially when you factor in; the vision Ed had to bring it to fruition; the investors he secured to financially make it happen, the time, energy, and perseverance that Ed gave to make EAL successful; the significant clients they partnered with to make it well known to the public; and, bringing the Eastern Legacy forward.

The Eastern Family doesn’t what transpired. We commend Ed highly for all he has done to bring the Eastern name to a higher level. We can only anxiously wait to hear some good news of the plans Ed Wegel has for his future. Ed Wegel is a great part of our Eastern Family and we send him much success in his future endeavors.

 Eastern Air Lines Flew The Body of Muhammad Ali Home to Kentucky!

By Dorothy Gagnon, EARA Editor

The world watched on television for the airplane that flew the body of Muhammad Ali, who at the age of 74, died in Phoenix. AZ and waiting to see his body arrive at the Louisville, Kentucky airport, his hometown. As the plane taxied on the runway, those of us who are Eastern Airlines Retirees couldn’t help to notice that the airline carrying his body was the Eastern Air Lines Group, Inc., Charter.

We were honored that the Eastern name was displayed, and that they were chosen to carry the famous boxer back to his hometown. We were sad too as to the reason they were landing and being watched by the world, was to bring back the body of one of the most famous boxers in history, Mohammed Ali, who we heard many time refer to himself as “The Greatest,” was dead.

Well, he was “The Greatest” boxer of his time and we are so sorry that he is no longer here, but the world will always remember, Muhammad Ali, born Cassius Clay in Louisville, KY, on January 17, 1942, and who was the three-time Heavyweight Champion of the World. He died Friday night in a Phoenix hospital.

We have seen him on television at one time or another, and heard him speak of his battle with Parkinson’s disease since 1984. That was a tremendous shock for such a strong, forceful and healthy individual with the skill and strength of an athlete to have his body taken over by such a treacherous disease.

Ali may be best known for his three fights with the other champion, Joe Frazier, and the chemistry between them that was known to everyone through the media.

We no longer will hear him say those famous words that everyone associates with him “Float Like A Butterfly, Sting Like A Bee. Your Hands Can’t Hit What Your Eyes Can’t See”. Though we may not have him around to say those words, we will always remember that saying, as well as to picture Ali dancing around in the ring. We will also remember Muhammad Ali for being very devoted to humanitarian causes and for that we are so thankful.