Florida Express

Florida Express was an airline headquartered in Orlando, Florida, United States. Orlando International Airport (MCO) served as the airline's hub with a point-to-point linear route system in the eastern U.S. and Florida. Established in 1984,^[3] the air carrier operated a small fleet consisting exclusively of British Aircraft Corporation BAC One-Eleven twin jet aircraft and employed approximately 385 employees in 1985.^[4] It was incorporated in Delaware on January 24, 1983^[5] and received its economic certificate from the Civil Aeronautics Board exactly a year later on January 24, 1984.^[6] First flight was January 26, 1984 and it was co-founded and led by Gordon Linkon, a former Midway Airlines president and Frontier Airlines executive.^[7] The airline completed an initial public offering on October 16, 1985, raising $13mm.^[8] The airline's toll-free phone number was 1-800-FAST-JET.^[9]

Founded24 January 1983

Commenced operations26 January 1984 (1984-01-26)

Ceased operations1988 (1988)

Operating basesOrlando, Florida

Quick facts IATA, ICAO ...

Florida Express

Florida Express BAC 1-11
IATA ICAO Call sign ZO[1] FLX[2] FLEXAIR[2]
Founded	24 January 1983
Commenced operations	26 January 1984 (1984-01-26)
Ceased operations	1988 (1988)
Operating bases	Orlando, Florida
Fleet size	19
Destinations	14
Headquarters	Orlando, Florida United States
Founder	Gordon Linkon (CEO)
Employees	385 (1985)

Close

On October 28, 1987, the second incarnation of Braniff announced its acquisition of Florida Express in a deal worth $20mm (over $50mm in 2024 dollars).^[10] After government approvals, the deal closed on April 19, 1988.^[11] However, before the deal closed, from January 15, 1988 onward, Florida Express flew for Braniff under the name Braniff Express.^[12]