Eastern Air Lines
A Miami-based charter airline that revived the Eastern Air Lines name and operated from 2015 until September 2017.
Last updated August 24, 2026
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Overview
Eastern Air Lines was a short-lived American charter airline associated with Eastern Air Lines Group, Inc. and based at Miami International Airport in Florida. It was a revival of the Eastern Air Lines name rather than a continuation of the original airline’s operating certificate. The ownership group acquired intellectual property, including trademarks associated with the historic Eastern Air Lines, in 2009. In early 2014, it announced that it had applied to the United States Department of Transportation for authority to operate as a certificated carrier, with Federal Aviation Administration certification expected to follow. That certification was not ultimately granted. The airline began flying charter missions on May 28, 2015, using a Boeing 737-800 on a round trip between Miami and Havana. Two days later, it operated an Honor Flight carrying 60 veterans to the Washington, D.C., area. The company had expected to add scheduled passenger service after roughly 12 to 18 months, but remained primarily a charter operator. Its activities included flights within the United States and services linking Miami with Cuba, the Caribbean, and Latin America. Through a partnership with Havana Air, it operated charter service to several Cuban cities. Other announced or operated markets included the Dominican Republic, Venezuela, Costa Rica, Panama, Guyana, and Haiti, subject to contracts and operating arrangements. Eastern also pursued a high-visibility commercial and community profile. In August 2015, it signed a three-year agreement to become the official airline of University of Miami Athletics. It provided charter transportation for professional sports organizations including the Florida Panthers, San Francisco Giants, Miami Marlins, Oakland Athletics, and Portland Timbers, as well as for Georgia State University and Georgia Southern University. The airline also carried out notable special-purpose flights, including assistance for passengers stranded after a cruise-ship disruption near St. Thomas and the transportation of Muhammad Ali’s body from Phoenix to Louisville in June 2016. The business planned to build its fleet around Boeing narrow-body aircraft and had announced prospective orders for Mitsubishi MRJ90 regional jets. It also announced a proposed frequent-flyer program called LatinOnePass, drawing partly on the name of a program associated with the earlier Eastern Air Lines. The revived carrier operated from Building 5A at Miami International Airport, a facility historically connected with the original airline’s system and maintenance operations. Eastern Air Lines ceased operations on September 7, 2017. During the same period, Swift Air acquired the airline’s Boeing 737-800 assets. Swift stated that the transaction was an asset purchase rather than a purchase of one operating certificate or a merger of certificates. Eastern surrendered its FAA certificate in September 2017, while the name, assets, and related trademarks were to be retained within the transaction and subsequently associated with a carrier operating as Eastern Airlines, LLC. The 2015 revival therefore ended as an independent operating airline, although elements of its brand identity continued under a later operator.
History
The 2015 Eastern Air Lines revival was created by Eastern Air Lines Group, Inc., an ownership group that had acquired the intellectual property and trademarks of the original Eastern Air Lines in 2009. The project sought to reuse the historical name while establishing a new airline operation. In early 2014, the group announced that it had submitted an application to the United States Department of Transportation for a certificate of public convenience and necessity. The proposed federal authority was intended to be followed by FAA certification, but the required FAA certification was not granted. Despite the certification issue, the airline began charter flying in May 2015. Its first recorded operation took place on May 28, when a Boeing 737-800 flew from Miami International Airport to Havana’s José Martí International Airport and returned to Miami. On May 30, the carrier operated an Honor Flight carrying 60 veterans to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. The company originally anticipated that scheduled passenger service might begin within 12 to 18 months, but its operating model remained centered on charter work. Miami served as the airline’s operational base. Eastern used Building 5A at Miami International Airport, a facility that had housed system and maintenance-control functions of the original Eastern Air Lines. Its principal business involved charter flights in the United States and international charter services from Miami. Cuba became a significant focus through a partnership with Havana Air, with service to six Cuban cities described as part of the operation. The carrier also served or pursued opportunities in the Caribbean and Latin America, including the Dominican Republic, Venezuela, Costa Rica, Panama, Guyana, and Haiti. The airline developed a broad charter customer base. In August 2015, it agreed to become the official airline of University of Miami Athletics for three years. It also transported professional sports teams, including the Florida Panthers, San Francisco Giants, Miami Marlins, Oakland Athletics, and Portland Timbers. Collegiate customers included Georgia State University and Georgia Southern University. In addition to commercial charter flying, Eastern carried out community and special-purpose missions. It assisted stranded cruise passengers near St. Thomas in September 2015 and transported Muhammad Ali’s body from Phoenix to Louisville in June 2016. Fleet planning emphasized Boeing narrow-body aircraft. The group announced orders for ten Boeing 737-800s and rights to acquire an additional ten Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft. It also announced an order for 20 Mitsubishi MRJ90 regional jets with rights to 20 more. The first used Boeing 737-800 arrived in December 2014, and a fifth aircraft was delivered in February 2016, completing the first phase of aircraft acquisition described by the company. Proposed Boeing interiors included business- and economy-class seating, while the MRJ configuration was planned for a smaller regional complement. The airline also announced a proposed frequent-flyer program named LatinOnePass. A notable operational event occurred on October 27, 2016, when Eastern Air Lines Flight 3452, a Boeing 737-700, overran the runway at LaGuardia Airport. The aircraft was carrying Mike Pence, then the Republican vice-presidential candidate, together with members of his team. It stopped on the airport’s concrete arrestor bed and was only lightly damaged; the occupants were transferred to another aircraft. The NTSB’s final report was issued in September 2017. Eastern’s independent operation ended in September 2017. Its last flight occurred on September 7. Swift Air acquired the Boeing 737-800 assets and emphasized that the deal was not a purchase of one operating certificate or a merger of two certificates. Eastern surrendered its FAA certificate during September. The transaction preserved the name, assets, and associated trademarks within the broader deal, and the Eastern identity was subsequently transferred to Dynamic International Airways, an airline co-owned by Swift’s ownership group and operating as Eastern Airlines, LLC. The 2015 airline is therefore best understood as a defunct Miami-based charter carrier whose branding and selected assets continued beyond the end of its own certificate.
- 2017
Operations cease
[1]The airline’s final flight took place on September 7, followed by surrender of its FAA certificate and transfer of assets in connection with Swift Air.
- 2016
Fifth aircraft delivered
[1]Eastern took delivery of its fifth aircraft, a used Boeing 737-800, completing the first phase of aircraft acquisition described in the reference material.
- 2015
Charter operations begin
[1]The airline launched charter flying with a Miami–Havana Boeing 737-800 service on May 28.
- 2014
Application for federal operating authority announced
[1]The ownership group announced an application to the U.S. Department of Transportation, with FAA certification intended to follow.
- 2009
Eastern Air Lines intellectual property acquired
[1]Eastern Air Lines Group acquired intellectual property, including trademarks, associated with the original Eastern Air Lines.
Products and positioning
A Miami-centered charter carrier combining revived historical branding with leisure, Cuba, regional international, sports, collegiate, and special-mission flying.
Charter passenger aviation · 2015
Boeing 737-800 charter service
The Boeing 737-800 was the central aircraft type in Eastern Air Lines’ operating fleet and charter strategy. It supported domestic U.S. flights, Miami–Cuba services, Caribbean and Latin American flying, sports-team transportation, and special-purpose missions. The first used aircraft was delivered in December 2014, and the airline’s initial fleet-building phase reached five aircraft by February 2016. One aircraft was named Spirit of Captain Eddie Rickenbacker in reference to the historical Eastern Air Lines leader.
International charter service · 2015
Cuba charter network
Eastern operated charter flights between Miami and Cuba in partnership with Havana Air. The operation was described as serving six Cuban cities, with Havana forming the airline’s launch route. The service placed the revived carrier at the intersection of Miami’s large Cuba-related travel market and its broader Caribbean and Latin American charter strategy.
Frequent-flyer program
LatinOnePass
LatinOnePass was the announced name of Eastern Air Lines’ planned frequent-flyer program. Its name partly reused the OnePass identity associated with the earlier Eastern Air Lines program, which had later been sold to Continental. The available reference material does not establish the extent to which LatinOnePass became operational.
Regional aircraft program · 2014
Mitsubishi MRJ90 program
Eastern Air Lines Group announced an order for 20 Mitsubishi MRJ90 regional jets, with rights to acquire 20 additional aircraft. The proposed aircraft would have complemented the Boeing fleet on smaller regional missions, with a planned configuration for approximately 90 passengers. The available material does not indicate that the aircraft entered Eastern’s operating fleet before the airline ceased operations.
Marketing campaigns
- 2015Honor Flight
United States
Eastern operated a flight carrying 60 veterans to the Washington, D.C., area shortly after launching its charter operations.
Outcome. The mission was completed as a special community-oriented charter flight.
- 2015University of Miami Athletics partnership
United States
Eastern signed a three-year agreement to become the official airline of University of Miami Athletics and to support team transportation.
Outcome. The agreement positioned the Miami-based carrier within the university and sports-charter market.
Brand decisions
2017
Transfer aircraft assets to Swift AirM&ABackground
Eastern’s independent operation was ending and its Boeing aircraft were transferred in a transaction involving Swift Air.
Action taken
Swift Air acquired the Boeing 737-800 assets and stated that the transaction was an asset purchase, not a purchase or merger of operating certificates.
Aftermath
Eastern ceased flying, surrendered its FAA certificate, and its name and related trademarks continued within the subsequent Eastern Airlines identity.
2015
Launch Miami–Havana charter serviceProduct launchBackground
Eastern needed an initial operating market for its revived airline and focused on Miami-based international charter demand.
Action taken
The airline began flying Boeing 737-800 charters between Miami and Havana, later describing a broader Cuba operation with Havana Air.
Aftermath
Cuba became one of the carrier’s principal international charter markets.
2014
Pursue airline certification and revive the Eastern brandStrategyBackground
The ownership group sought to turn acquired historical trademarks into a new airline operation and announced an application for U.S. transportation authority.
Action taken
It pursued Department of Transportation authority and intended to obtain FAA certification before expanding beyond charter flying.
Aftermath
The necessary FAA certification was not granted, and the airline remained a charter operator rather than developing the planned scheduled service.
Recent events
- 2017
Swift Air acquires Eastern Air Lines Boeing 737-800 assets[1]
M&A
Swift Air acquired the revived carrier’s Boeing 737-800 assets and stated that the transaction was not a purchase of one certificate or a merger of certificates.
- 2017
Eastern Air Lines ends operations and surrenders FAA certificate[1]
Bankruptcy · Other
The airline conducted its last flight on September 7 and surrendered its FAA certificate later that month.
- 2016
Eastern Air Lines transports Muhammad Ali’s body[1]
Other
The airline flew Muhammad Ali’s body from Phoenix, Arizona, to Louisville, Kentucky, on one of its Boeing aircraft.
- 2016
Eastern Air Lines Flight 3452 overruns at LaGuardia[1]
Other
A Boeing 737-700 carrying then-Republican vice-presidential candidate Mike Pence and his party overran the runway at LaGuardia Airport and stopped on the concrete arrestor bed. The aircraft sustained only light damage, and passengers were transferred to another aircraft. The NTSB issued its final report in September 2017.
- 2015
Eastern Air Lines launches charter operations with Miami–Havana flight[1]
Product launch
The revived airline began operations on May 28 with a Boeing 737-800 charter flight between Miami and Havana.
- 2015
Eastern Air Lines operates Honor Flight for veterans[1]
Campaign
The carrier flew 60 veterans to the Washington, D.C., area shortly after beginning charter operations.
- 2015
Eastern Air Lines signs University of Miami Athletics agreement[1]
Campaign
The airline entered a three-year agreement to serve as the official airline of University of Miami Athletics.
- 2015
Eastern Air Lines aircraft assists stranded cruise passengers near St. Thomas[1]
Other
A Boeing 737-800 was used to assist passengers affected by a cruise-ship disruption in the St. Thomas area.
Sources2 sources
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