20 Defunct Airlines You Might Remember Flying On
We're used to seeing the same names every time we have to buy a plane ticket anywhere in the world. The options suggested by the best travel sites are usually the same, and you probably have your favorite airline and even a few memberships to get special benefits from. And all their planes look pretty much the same, with mostly white everywhere, and a logo in there somewhere. But it wasn't always like that.
There a dozens of airlines that have ceased operations over the last few decades due to many different reasons. Most filed for bankruptcy, while others were “saved” by merging with a bigger and more powerful airline that's now using their planes without their logo. From private-owned companies to iconic flag carriers.
So, here are some defunct airlines you might remember flying on, if you were lucky enough to travel the world in colorful planes full of cigarette smoke.
AirAsia Japan
The low-cost airline was a joint venture between the Malaysian AirAsia and Japanese partners, and it operated between 2011 and 2020.
Air Berlin
This was Germany's second-largest airline after Lufthansa for a while, and it operated between 1979 and 2017.
Air Europe
Born as Inter European Airways, it was founded in 1978 and ceased operations in 1991.
Air Inter
The French domestic airline operated from 1954 until it merged with Air France in 1997.
Air Jamaica
It was the flag carrier of Jamaica since 1968, and it merged into Caribbean Airlines in 2015.
Air Southwest
The British airline was created in 2003, but after financial issues and a transfer, it ceased operations in 2011.
Alitalia
This used to be Italy's flag carrier and largest airline. It was founded in 1946 and replaced by ITA Airways in 2021.
America West Airlines
It operated from 1981 until it merged with US Airways in 2007.
Australian Airlines
The international leisure carrier was a subsidiary of Qantas and operated between 2002 and 2006.
British United Airways
BUA was the result of a merger between two previous airlines in 1960, and it ceased operations in 1970, merging with Caledonian Airways to form British Caledonian.
Continental Airlines
Simply known as Continental, it operated from 1934 until it merged with United Airlines in 2012.
Flybe
It launched in 1979 as Jersey European Airways and was renamed Flybe in 2002. It was the largest independent regional airline in Europe, and it ceased operations in 2020.
Germania
The Berlin-based airline operated from 1978 until it declared bankruptcy in 2019.
Hooters Air
RIP 2003-2006.
Indian Airlines
It was founded in 1953, and it later became a division of Air India Limited before ultimately ceasing operations in 2011.
Pan Am
Also known as Pan American World Airways or Pan American Airways, it operated between 1927 and 1991. Pan Am was the unofficial flag carrier of the United States.
Play
The Icelandic airline operated between 2021 and 2025.
US Airways
It started operating in 1939 as a mail delivery airline under the All American Aviation name. It was later renamed Allegheny Airlines, and then US Airways. It ceased operations completely in 2015, merging with American Airlines.
Monarch Airlines
The British airline operated from 1968 to 2017.
Air 2000 Limited
Also known as First Choice Airways Limited, it operated between 1987 and 2008.
