note

Braniff Airways was founded in 1928 in Oklahoma City, initially operating as a regional carrier connecting Oklahoma and Texas with six-passenger Lockheed Vega aircraft. Its stability was secured in 1934 when it won a U.S. airmail contract, enabling it to expand to larger markets like Chicago, Kansas City, and Dallas. The airline introduced faster Lockheed Model 10 Electras and later Douglas DC-2 and DC-3 aircraft to meet increasing passenger demand. By the mid-1940s, Braniff expanded internationally, establishing routes to Mexico and Central America. In 1948, the airline adopted the name Braniff International Airways to reflect its growing focus on global operations, notably inaugurating flights to Havana, Cuba, and other Latin American destinations.

In the 1950s, Braniff acquired Mid-Continent Airlines, based in Kansas City, which added key routes to cities like Minneapolis, Omaha, and New Orleans. This acquisition solidified Braniff’s position as a significant domestic carrier. During the same decade, Braniff began operating Douglas DC-6 and DC-7 aircraft on its long-haul routes, including new service to South America. The late 1960s brought another major milestone when Braniff merged with Pan American-Grace Airways (PANAGRA), expanding its reach across South America to include destinations such as Lima, Rio de Janeiro, and Buenos Aires. This period also saw the introduction of the BAC One-Eleven and Boeing 707 jets, which modernized the fleet and enabled the launch of transcontinental routes.

The 1970s marked Braniff's transition into the jet age, with the Boeing 727 becoming the backbone of its domestic operations and the Boeing 747 serving long-haul international markets. Braniff's bold branding campaigns, such as the Alexander Girard-designed "End of the Plain Plane," paired with Emilio Pucci-designed uniforms, gave the airline a distinctive identity. New international services included flights to London, Paris, Amsterdam, and Frankfurt, as well as transpacific routes to Hong Kong and Guam. Notable innovations included its Concorde interchange agreement with Air France and British Airways, offering supersonic service between Dallas-Fort Worth and Washington, D.C., beginning in 1979.

The Airline Deregulation Act of 1978 prompted Braniff to expand aggressively, adding 16 cities and 32 routes in a single day. The airline launched new hubs in Boston, Kansas City, and Los Angeles, focusing on competitive domestic and international markets. However, this rapid expansion strained Braniff’s finances, as rising fuel costs and intense competition from both major carriers like American Airlines and new low-cost entrants reduced profitability. The airline’s fleet during this time included a mix of Boeing 727s, Douglas DC-8s, and Boeing 747SPs for long-haul routes, but the operating costs of these aircraft became unsustainable.

By the early 1980s, Braniff was losing millions annually despite restructuring attempts. The airline reduced services, retired older aircraft, and sold its South American routes to Eastern Airlines for $18 million. The sale was approved by the Civil Aeronautics Board in 1982, but Braniff’s financial position continued to weaken due to high-interest debt and falling passenger demand. On May 12, 1982, the airline ceased all operations, grounding its fleet and stranding passengers across its network. Its remaining assets, including a fleet of Boeing 727s and the maintenance base at Dallas Love Field, were sold during bankruptcy proceedings.

The Braniff name was later revived by two successor carriers.

founded - demised (age)

November 13 1930 - March 12 1982  (52)

headquarters

Lemon Avenue, Dallas

web

www.braniffinternational.com	historic site
www.braniffpages.com	historic site

base airports

KDFW Dallas-Fort Worth International Grapevine
KDAL Dallas Love Field Dallas
KMCI International Kansas City
KMCO Orlando International Orange County

related operators

Panagra Airways	acquired 2/67
Sun Country Airlines	ex employee
Braniff, Inc.	successor
Mid-Continent Airlines	acquired 8/52