The BAC 1-11 in America

The British Aircraft Corporation One-Eleven, or 1-11 for short, was a rare success for Britain’s aircraft manufacturing industry.

As an early jet airliner developed at a similar time to the Hawker Siddeley Trident, Sud Aviation Caravelle, Douglas DC-9, Boeing 727 and Tupolev Tu-134, it was at the forefront of bringing fast, het travel to the public.

The 1-11’s first flight took place on 20^th August 1963, and by the end of production some 244 examples had been built across different variants.

The last examples were still flying in the early 2000s.

The 1-11 in America

Unlike most British airliner products, the 1-11 also saw success with sales in America.

As early as 1961, Braniff International placed an order for the type, and this was followed up by other carriers – some of whom never saw the 1-11 enter service, and others which did.

Here’s a guide to the airlines in America which flew the BAC 1-11:

Aeroamerica

Piergiuliano Chesi, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Whilst flying mostly out of Berlin’s Tegel airport in the 1970s and 80s, Aeroamerica was actually registered in Washington state.  It flew a single BAC 1-11-401AK.

Air Illinois

Regional carrier Air Illinois operated scheduled and charter services across the Midwest out of its bases. The only jet aircraft it flew were a pair of BAC 1-11.

Air Wisconsin

Still active today as part of the American Eagle feeder programme, Air Wisconsin was founded in 1965 and in the 1970s and 80s operated the 1-11 on some of its services.

Allegheny Airlines

This US feeder carrier added the BAC 1-11 to its fleet when it merged with Mohawk Airlines (see later) in 1972. These aircraft were flown until 1979 when the airline merged with USAir.

Aloha Airlines

Hawaii’s popular intra-island carrier chose the BAC One-Eleven as its first jet aircraft type. The aircraft arrived in April 1966, competing against Hawaiian Airlines’ Douglas DC-9s.

These -200 variant aircraft were not ideal for the airports in Hawaii, and the Boeing 737-200 was chosen as a replacement soon after.

American Airlines

One of the major US BAC One-Eleven operators, American Airlines ordered the type July 1963. In total 40 of the type were eventually flown, marking a significant order for the British manufacturer.

They were relatively short-lived, however, being retired in 1972.

Atlantic Gulf Airlines

This carrier acquired 1-11s through its merger with Air Illinois. Heavy competition in the Florida area, and lack of parts, led to the airline’s downfall in 1986.

Braniff International

The original US carrier to order the BAC 1-11, Braniff had an extensive domestic and regional network out of Texas. The aircraft soon fell out of favour, however, with the new Boeing 727-100 proving more popular. The British aircraft left the fleet in 1972.

The airline briefly flew the type again in 1985 when it merged with Florida Express (see below).

Britt Airways

This regional carrier briefly operated the BAC One-Eleven in 1985. It was the only jet type flown by the airline and didn’t last long.

Florida Express

This airline flew exclusively with BAC One-Elevens from its founding in 1984 until it merged with Braniff International (to become Braniff Express) the following year. The fleet (all -200 and -400 variants) merged into this carrier and were soon withdrawn.

Mohawk Airlines

This regional carrier was formed in 1945 to fly local services in the Mid-Atlantic region. It added the BAC One-Eleven in 1965, making it the first US regional airline to operate jet aircraft.

The airline eventually merged with Allegheny Airlines in 1972, with the aircraft joining the new carrier.

Pacific Express

Richard Silagi (GFDL <http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html> or GFDL <http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html>), via Wikimedia Commons

A Californian airline, Pacific Express started service in 1982 with two BAC 1-11 jets. These were later joined by Boeing 737-200 aircraft, before the airline folded in 1984.

USAir

Photo (c) G B_NZ

USAir (later US Airways) was formed out of Allegheny Airlines in 1979, later acquiring Piedmont Airlines and Pacific Southwest Airlines. It would later merge with America West Airlines, and then American Airlines in the early 2000s.

The carrier began by flying Allegheny’s One-Eleven fleet, which were repainted and remained with the airline until 1989.

One example remains on the fire training ground at Orlando International Airport.

Wright Airlines

A small regional airline which mostly flew piston and turboprop aircraft types. Wright Airlines briefly operated the One-Eleven as its only jet type. The airline ceased operations in 1985.

Did you ever fly on a BAC 1-11 in the US? Leave a comment below.

Title image: Steve Williams collection