Iconic Brands That No Longer Exist

Eastern Airlines

Once one of the four largest airlines in the United States, Eastern Airlines began as the premier mail carrier for the US Postal Service. However, by the 1950s the airline was dominating the domestic travel market all along the East Coast routes. The business continued to thrive as one of the “Big Four” up into the 1970s, but the Air Deregulation Act of 1978 caused the company to begin a steep crash.

Eastern Airlines

The legislation introduced free market to the commercial airline market, as well as removing government controls over fare prices, entry of new airlines into the market, and routes. By 1989 the company was floundering in bankruptcy, and in 1991 they were grounded, permanently.