10/10/1985: Presidential Airways Takes Flight

‍DALLAS — Today, in 1985, low-fare carrier Presidential Airways (XV) took to the skies in 1985 by former PEOPLExpress (PE) boss Harold J. “Hap” Paretti.

Based at Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD), Paretti wanted to create a full-service carrier with low fares. Around US$2 million was secured as starting capital, and several ex-Lufthansa (LH) Boeing 737-200s were sourced to commence flights. 

Initial routes from IAD included Boston (BOS), Cincinnati (CVG), Hartford (BDL), Indianapolis (IND), and Miami (MIA). By the summer of 1986, the airline had expanded to serve 18 destinations.

XV placed an order in June 1986 for five British Aerospace BAe 146-200s to keep up with the expansion. Presidential would use the type on thinner routes unsuitable for the 737.

The airline later purchased Colgan Air (9L), which flew feeder services from IAD under the banner “Presidential Express.” XV would inherit 9L’s fleet of BAe Jetstream 31s and Beechcraft 1900s from the takeover.

Major Feeder

Presidential was already operating as a feeder carrier for Continental Airlines (CO), and due to increased competition, XV management decided to become CO’s “Jet Express” feeder at IAD in January 1987. It also flew several Pan Am (PA) services under the Pan Am Express (PL) banner.

This agreement lasted less than a year before management struck a new deal with United (UA) in 1988.

However, the carrier was facing severe financial difficulties. Plans were made to create a mini-hub at Birmingham–Shuttlesworth International Airport (BHM). Before the project could be executed, Presidential was declared bankrupt, and operations ceased on December 5, 1989.

The featured image shows N408XV, pictured on lease from BAe to British Airways (BA), is still wearing basic XV colors. Presidential Airways operated nine BAe 146-200s.