TWA's Last Flight: 7 Years Ago Today

[Matt Molnar]

Wikipedia:

Trans World Airlines flew its last flight on December 1, 2001 with an MD-80 Aircraft (N948TW). The ceremonial last flight was Flight 220 from Kansas City, Missouri, to St. Louis, with CEO Captain William Compton at the controls. The final flight before TWA officially became part of American Airlines was completed between St. Louis and Las Vegas, Nevada, also on December 1, 2001. At 10:00 p.m. CST on that date, employees began removing all TWA signs and placards from airports around the country, replacing them with American Airlines signs. At midnight, all TWA flights officially became listed as American Airlines flights. Some aircraft carried hybrid American/TWA livery during the transition, with American's tricolor stripe on the fuselage and TWA's name on the tail. Signage still bears the TWA logo in portions of Concourse D at Lambert St. Louis International Airport. On some MD-80 aircraft, the cabinets retain TWA logos.

Hard to believe it's been so long.

[T-Bird76]

I remember my last flight on TWA, if I recall the flight number it was TW681 LAS-STL-JFK (Alex will correct me if I'm wrong ;) ) It was Labor Day weekend of 2001. My buddies and I went to Vegas for a week; the terminal was already a ghost town at a time where it would have been bustling only 10 years earlier. We flew out to Vegas First Class and back in First and the service that TWA was known for was still there, even during the airport experience was still positive.

While PanAm was a pioneer of the industry TWA truly was the trend setting for many services we still enjoy today. They were worldwide household name for years and even today the name still commands respect. American Airlines was very lucky to get the TWA folk they did and I was lucky enough on my flight to Rome this summer to have two "seasoned" TWA FAs working the forward cabin and they knew the definition of service.

[moose135]

Those were the days...

I think most of you know I grew up around TWA, my father spent nearly 40 years as a mechanic at JFK. I'll always remember the family trips to places like LA, Phoenix, Denver, all aboard those big red and white jets. My first airplane ride was on a TWA Convair 880, non-stop service from JFK to Hartford - no, it's not much of a flight, but when you are 8 years old, it's the world! I'll never forget the first time I saw a 747 up close in Hangar 12. Climbing to the upper deck, and sitting in the captain's seat, it seemed impossible huge. My last TWA flights were in May, 2001, out to Denver for business. Even then, we knew the end was near, and I spent a few minutes talking with the cabin crew after the flight home.

Others will disagree, but for me, the people at TWA were some of the most dedicated, professional airline employees in the business. It is a shame what happened to them and the proud airline they served.

http://moose135.smugmug.com/photos/141280850_NXmqR-L-1.jpg

[cancidas]

my last, and only flight was JFK-PUJ on an MD-80. flew down with my fam and fiance for a great week's vacation. we flew down on TWA, came home on TWAA.

[LGA777]

My last flight on TWA was in believe 2000, a fun flight on a 763 JFK-SDQ with around 15 friends from work going down for a friends wedding in Santo Domingo. My first was on a 727-31 all the way from PBI to TPA in I believe 1971. In between I was fortunate enough to also fly on their 747-131, L-1011, 757-231 and 727-231. I really regret never getting to fly on ther 707's.

Cheers

LGA777

[Delta777LR]

TWA will always be remembered!!

I took my last picture of (Wings of Pride) back in 2001 while I was in Miami. Ill be happy to post the picture when I find it.

[Alex T]

My last TWA Flight was Flight 161 MCO-STL on the L1011 June 15th, 1996.

I switched to Delta until 2001, then Southwest and now AA.

There is one more flight they forgot, TWA Flight 1 HNL-STL was the LAST TWA flight to land and remain a TWA Flight number, this flight arrived into STL at around 6:24am Dec 2nd I think, still holding the TW call sign. Once it landed it switched to AA.

Alex

[727C47]

I jumpseat a TWA 727 ,between STL-DTW in 2000,right before they retired the 3 holer,i think the fe was over 70 !

[moose135]

I jumpseat a TWA 727 ,between STL-DTW in 2000,right before they retired the 3 holer,i think the fe was over 70 !

Something like this...shot this at JFK around 1981.
http://moose135.smugmug.com/photos/141280808_pbsGV-L-1.jpg