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Braniff "Contrails" - Commercial and Military Aviation News
by Brooke D. Watts

Carriers ceasing at an unheard of rate

Thank the oil companies for the demise of at least five airlines. Aloha, ATA, Champion, Skybus and one other have announced shut-downs in the last week.

"The cost of Jet-A Fuel is $3.27 a gallon," said one advisor to "The Braniff Pages." "That is killing off everyone."

The shakeout of the airline industry is expected to continue as carriers cut food, dinnerware and perks off of their planes. Most airlines from American to Southwest are trying to reduce weight. They even have installed lighter seats.

"Many airlines are now charging for more than one bag. They may even resort to weighing people to determine their fare if things continue," said one spokesperson.

Northwest is reducing its fleet.

Northwest Airlines Corp. said Thursday that it would reduce its domestic flight schedule later this year and cut its fleet by 15 to 20 planes as a result of rising oil prices.

The moves, along with recent steps such adding fuel surcharges and reducing the number of bags that may be checked at no charge, are intended to help offset the rising price of oil.

"Over the past several months, the price of oil has risen dramatically to all-time highs, and there is no reasonable basis to conclude that oil prices will materially decline anytime soon," said NWA CEO Douglas Steenland. "These increased costs are significant, and call for a strong response from us."

Fuel prices are not only affecting air travel, but also the trucking industry. This results in higher prices for everyone.

"It's the 'greedy bastards' in Washington," - said one traveller.

The Braniff Pages
is 10 Years Old!

The Braniff Pages turns 10 years old this year.

The site was founded on August 1, 1998 with the transcripts of John Paul Braniff, Sr. which described the very early years of Braniff Airways.

The site was expanded in the Fall of 1998 to include all eras of Braniff. At that time, we were on America On-Line

Click Here for one of our pages from 1998!

The Braniff Pages moved from AOL to Sprynet, and finally was registered under its own name in 2000.

Since then, The Page has grown to include Braniff Reunions, Tributes, Multi-media displays and other commercial aviation information.

We have a list of folks that have helped us through the years on our mainpage

More on our 10th year soon.

Braniff Interior Article co-written by Braniff Pages

New York - Jennifer Clay, writer of "Jetliner Cabins" submits Braniff article

With the help of "The Braniff Pages," Mrs. Clay, expert on airline interiors, has submitted an article on Braniff's influence on aircraft interiors to "Aircraft Interiors" magazine.

The article (which will eventually end up here) will be published in June.

Jennifer landed her first aviation job with British Airways in 1974 and later, as Controller of Corporate Identity, she oversaw the privatization of the airline. In 1986 she joined Pan American World Airways, where she redesigned all aspects of the passenger service.

Her book, "Jetliner Cabins" is available on Amazon.

Group Pictures of BN Employees

Supply Department, 1967 Click here to view

Supply Department, 1977 Click here to view

Engine Build and Refurbishment, 1977 Click here to view

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2008 EVENTS

2008 BISE FLY-IN

Ben Huston, BISE Board Member, and FLY-IN host, has banned Elizabeth Sheppard from selling at this year's Fly-In. This is the first time she will not be selling Braniff memorabilia at a Fly-In in over 25 years! Support Elizabeth, visit www.braniffmemories.com.

More Coming Soon

Braniff Planes Considered, but never bought.

In addition to the Boeing 727, 747, DC-8 and 747SP, Braniff considered other aircraft to use on its route system.

Among these were the DC-10, the Lockheed L-1011, the DC-9, the MD-80 and the Boeing SST (which never got off the ground for any airline).

Braniff wanted the DC-10 or the L-1011, but didn't have the cash funds available to buy either type in the early 70s when other airlines were getting into debt to pick up these new "widebodies."

"Braniff1," also know as Andrew Stiffler, a long-time Braniff collector and enthusiast, was kind enough to send us ORIGINAL McDonnell Douglas proposed schemes for its DC-10 (used widely by American, United, and Northwest), and The MD-80 (the stretch version of the DC-9).

Click here for the DC-10 photo
Click here for the MD-80 photo

From The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)...Airport Advice, Check-in advice and safety and security rules for commercial passengers:

Click here for FAA Website.

AND for that touchy subject on airport security Go here

Please Check back on this page for further updates...GOD BLESS AND FLY SAFE! - The Braniff Pages

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2008 Airline Collectible Calender

AI 2008
July 10-12 2008
DFW Sheraton Grand
Any Airline Enthusiast can Register for:
" EXCLUSIVE THURSDAY*
" July 10: 10:00am - 5:30pm
*( Registration Required-Valid for all Three Days )
General Admission: $5.00 for Fri. OR Sat.
Show Hours
Friday July 11: 10:00am - 6:00pm
Saturday July 12: 9:00am - 4:00pm
( Children under 12 FREE )

Elizabeth Sheppard will have numerous tables

George W. Cearley, Jr. will be selling off part of his BI Collection

Information provided by Tony Trapp

Countdown to Braniff DFW 2008
(Based on your location)

MUSEUM NEWS:

1940 Air Terminal

Win your own airplane!
...and escape the tyranny of gravity.
The 1940 Air Terminal Museum has acquired a beautiful 1947 Cessna 140 airplane, which it will give to one lucky raffle ticket holder. Raffle tickets are available for $50 each, and no more than 2,500 tickets will be sold. The drawing will be held at the Museum's July 19th, 2008 Wings & Wheels open house. The raffle airplane will be on display at all Wings & Wheels, at fly-ins and airshows and at popular flying destinations throughout the contest period. The Cessna 140 is easy to fly, and inexpensive to operate and maintain. The raffle plane won the 2004 "Best Continuously Maintained Antique" award at Oshkosh, and sports red trim over a gleaming polished aluminum airframe.

For more details, please call 713-454-1940, or stop by the 1940 Air Terminal Museum and purchase a ticket. Good luck!

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FLY SAFE!

THANKS, Stay Safe, and God Bless!

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REVISED: 4 April 2008



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