Eastern Air Lines is returning, again. Will it last?
This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. For an explanation of our Advertising Policy, visit this page.
Eastern Air Lines was one of the most storied airlines in the world. In the 1980s it even was the biggest airline by passengers carried, outside the Soviet Union. Founded in 1926, the same year as American Airlines and United, it hasn’t however had the same fate as the other two: Eastern went under in 1991, a victim of the market changes brought by deregulation.
Now it’s about to come back — again.
A new incarnation of Eastern, with a different livery from the classic one and only two destinations, is starting service on Jan. 12. It’s the second return of Eastern, in fact, after a first one a few years ago.
That first reboot was launched in December 2015, as a charter airline flying from Miami, and was around until 2017, when the new Eastern was bought by another charter operator, Swift Air, which is now rebranding as iAero. The following year, Swift Air sold the rights to the Eastern name to another charter airline, Dynamic Airways — which later declared bankruptcy and is now about to resume flying as Eastern Airlines, without the space. Not Eastern Air Lines, with a space, like the historical carrier and its first reincarnation.
That’s all quite complicated, but it boils down to one simple thing: You can now fly an airline which can claim a connection with one of the most hallowed names in aviation history. Whether the new-new Eastern has more staying power than the first reboot, though, is unsure; its business model is based on a combination of scheduled flights and charters, and its initial route network comprises only twice-weekly flights between New York JFK and Georgetown, Guyana, and Guayaquil, Ecuador. That may not be a recipe for profitability.
Sign up for the free daily TPG newsletter for more airline news!
The 2020 reboot of Eastern was originally reported by Airways magazine last year. According to that story, Eastern was looking at launching routes from JFK to Anchorage and Jinan, China, as well as South America. Airline analyst Henry Harteveldt was quoted in it as being skeptical of the airline’s prospects.
“I question the viability of the routes they have chosen,” he said. “Going to secondary destinations in South America and in China is definitely a big challenge.”
Yet Eastern/Dynamic has a far larger fleet than it needs to serve just those two destinations. According to fleet-tracking site Planespotters, it has eight planes, all Boeing 767s of various models, and all between 28 and 35 years old. It employs them for charter services, not just scheduled flights, giving it a cushion to fall back on in case scheduled services don’t work out.
It would also need bigger airplanes than the 767 if it wants to serve China from New York. No airplanes in its current fleet could reach China from New York fully loaded without stopping for fuel, and according to Airways, Eastern is going to lease Boeing 777s that can make the journey.
Right now, Eastern flights are bookable on the airline’s site, with the first from Guayaquil to JFK Terminal 4 taking off on Sunday (Jan. 12). The airline is offering $139 introductory fares, but a search on the site for the first flight departing JFK, on Jan. 13, showed fares starting at $294 one-way and going up to a reasonable $614 for premium class. Prices in miles aren’t available, as Eastern does not have a frequent-flyer program.
Related: Exciting new airline routes from December 2019 and beyond
Eastern also does not offer flat-bed seats in its premium class; a seat map for the flight showed 30 recliner seats in a 2-2-2 layout.
Eastern is headquartered in Wayne, Pennsylvania, just outside Philadelphia. It’s led by CEO Steve Harfst, a longtime airline executive and former U.S. Navy fighter pilot who was the chief operating officer of Allegiant before moving to Eastern in 2019. The company currently lists 146 employees and just two job vacancies on LinkedIn.
The famous “hockey stick” tail colors will be gone from the new airline’s livery, which will look very different from the classic Eastern. “We will retain and use the iconic ‘stick figure’ logo from the original Eastern Airlines, but our main logo will be inspired by the places we fly,” said a statement on the carrier’s site.
The new incarnation of the livery will look a bit like a map, and that’s by design, according to the airline.
“The colors of dark blue, light blue and golden yellow represent the sky, sea and sun and all come from historic Eastern Airlines colors but have been re-interpreted for today,” the website added. “We will also have supporting logos and designs unique to each market we will serve inspired by the local colors and geography of each individual market. The three main rivers of Guyana and the colors of its national flag for example, inspire our supporting logo for Georgetown. We will incorporate those local designs into our website, social media platforms, marketing materials and uniform accessories.”
Featured photo of an Eastern Air Lines 737 taking off from Miami in 2016 by Alberto Riva / The Points Guy
Sign-up Successful!
Welcome to The Points Guy!
Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 3 months. Offer ends 8/3/2022.
With Status Boost™, earn 10,000 Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, up to two times per year getting you closer to Medallion Status. Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels, 2X Miles at restaurants and at U.S. supermarkets and earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases. Terms Apply.
- Limited Time Offer: Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 3 months. Offer ends 8/3/2022.
- Earn up to 20,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) with Status Boost® per year. After you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you can earn 10,000 MQMs up to two times per year, getting you closer to Medallion® Status. MQMs are used to determine Medallion® Status and are different than miles you earn toward flights.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
- Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets.
- Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
- Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights.
- Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® after you apply through any Authorized Enrollment Provider. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
- Enjoy an exclusive rate of $39 per person per visit to enter the Delta Sky Club® for you and up to two guests when traveling on a Delta flight.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- $250 Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees
Disclaimer: The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser’s responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.
Editorial Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.