Historical Eastern Air Lines (later Airlines) Photo Gallery - click on image to enter Photo Gallery by Don Boyd at pbase.com

Historical Eastern Air Lines (later Airlines) Photo Gallery - click on image to enter

Eastern Airlines was the big airline in Miami, employing thousands of residents who lived all over the county and up into Broward. When I was a kid it seemed like every block had an Eastern family on it and often two or three Eastern families. Dade County's economy was strengthened by having so many families making above average wages and excellent benefits and so many suppliers in town survived by getting business from Eastern the company and Eastern's employees.

In addition to these photos, I have more Eastern photos located at: https://pbase.com/airlinerphotos/35mm_eastern There is an excellent 1951 amateur video of Eastern at Miami International Airport viewable at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s6LnCJmIPDQ&feature=related

Michael Manning's blog about his interview with Martin Shugrue, trustee for the Eastern estate, can be read at: http://michaelmanningtv.blogspot.com/2010/12/eastern-airlines-remembering-pioneer_19.html

To be continued as time permits .....

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Gary, JFK		09-Feb-2022 14:02
Eastern was a great airline to work for. I met many devoted Eastern people during my 11 years at JFK. Good memories of working in departure services, operations, f/a crew scheduling, & sales. Sad day when they closed the doors.

Billy King		17-Aug-2021 06:58
William H King & James William King. My grandfather William H King started at Eastern in the 50's as a mechanic in Miami, he retired in 1972 I believe growing up me and my brother heard story after story about old man Rickenbacker and these 4 hour test flight they took for new engines. It wasn't until we got older that my (older) brother asked me.if I knew who old.man Rickenbacker was I told him yea some old guy grandpa worked with, lol he said no he was a true bad ass. I love thinking back to all the stories I heard and thinking it was just some old guy. My dad James.William King loved planes he went in the Air Force then to work for Eastern as a mechanic and loved his job truly loved it. He started with eastern in the late 60's until it fell, he has several letters praising his work and only 1 negative, a write up for being on the line in 89. After that he worked for PMS at MIA he would laugh every pay day cause he got his pms check. Lol we went to all the eastern cookouts and he took my grandfather to all the reunions. My dad raised me by himself and that strike showed me what 1 helluva dad I had. The old articles of the strike don't even come close to tell how scary it was I watched the news every day to see.if my pops got arrested thankfully never. He helped make a huge slingshot for the back of his Chevy luv pickup to shoot glass jars with nails over the road and fences into the parking lot of the scabs I remember a.scab beat with a bat house spray painted with scab none of that found. But my old man worked his but off so I had all I needed. And I still dont.think I could eat another cherry after the box load he brought home.every week from the union. Sadly my dad passed away sept. 1st 2020 I miss him everyday. I talk to a couple of his friends Bob Buzzwell from eastern and Frank Cole from TWA a couple great friends of my dad. I LOVE YOU POPS love your son Billy

Fred Albury		12-Jun-2020 20:34
My friend from childhood in Miami, Tommy Armstrong thanks you for the photos of his grandfather John Armstrong the co-pilot on the first ever EAL flight. Tommy's father also worked for EAL. John's business card mentions that fact.

George Luaces		19-Aug-2019 12:25
My father worked at Eastern from 1969 until the strike. He was in an Eastern commercial in the early 70's filmed in MIA. Does anyone know where I can find information on the commercial? The commercial interviewed several EAL employees about their job at EAL. I remeber watching it on TV in Miami as a kid. Any help would be great. I have searched You Tube endlessly but its not there. My dad has Parkinsons and I would love to be able to share it with him. It was filmed between 1971-1973 I believe. Thank you very much!

ellen johnson		15-Nov-2017 09:29
Hi does anybody remember a 1980's pilot by the name kazim he moved to florida with his wife eastern airline was his dream job he used to fly us around in small planes from ny to ct just for dinner i remember the plane as he called it over heated so we waited awhile once we were in the air i said do they ever stall while flying he smiled and said naaahhh once your up your up /i didn't know if he was telling the truth but he made me better some of those planes felt like a van in the sky fun times

Debi		11-Nov-2017 10:19
Hi, in the thread below does anyone know who or how I can in touch with Guy? Thanks so much

Guest		06-Jul-2017 15:48
Guy, is it Elsa Bach or Elsa Bash you are searching for? I too have questions could you please email me at debi3411@aol.com. Thank you so much.

Guest		24-Jun-2017 23:04
Guy, could you contact me, I'm also searching for Elsa Bach. I would just like to ask some questions. Thank you. My email is patsylizardi@gmail.com

Guy		05-Mar-2017 23:20
I'm searching for deceased Elsa Bach who was Eastern's customer relations representative in Bermuda for many years. She was close friend of actress Claire Trevor.

JeffMarcin		29-Oct-2015 14:36
Jeff Marcin I was a Boeing engineering Field Service Representative for Eastern (as well as Pan-Am, Air Florida, and others) in 1984. I remember working with all of the engineers on their 757s. The other day, a systems engineer's name Art St. Onge popped into my head, for some reason. I remembered he past away while I was there. I found this obituary online. He passed away while hiking. There were many interesting people who worked there. I was only in Miami for 7 months or so, then moved to Atlanta to support major overhaul checks on the 757s. Many memories. It is funny how, at the time, they seemed of no significance. Now I feel as though I could write a book. - Jeff Marcin, jm98029@yahoo.com

Guest		20-Jul-2015 08:52
Phyllis Muss and Tom Brady, I'm sorry to say that Walt Brady died in 2005. He was my grandfather and a great man. He loved flying for Eastern. Thanks for your comments about him. --Clint

Melissa Martin		21-Mar-2015 04:40
My Father started at Eastern in the 30;s and retired as Manager of labor relations. My aunts, uncles, brothers. myself, and my husband all worked for Eastern. My husband and I left when they closed. Those were great times... thanks for the pics and the memories.

John Talone		15-Oct-2014 13:15
I am looking for information on an early extension of the Washington National Airport. Are the present day Gates 10 to 14 at National part of the old Eastern Airlines gates ? I was told by someone at the Information Booth at National that this area of the present day airport was possibly an extension built by Eastern Airlines. If that is true when was it built? I am a real fan of National Airport but that area around gates 10 to 14 definitely is one of my favorite areas at that facility

Phyllis Muss		14-Jul-2014 01:21
I'm looking for Walt Brady as well, he was a dear friend when I worked at Southwest Airlines and American Airlines. Last I spoke to him he was flying in London My name is Phyllis Muss. Still at American Airlines.

Tom Brady		16-Apr-2014 01:10
I'm looking for MY uncle. He was a pilot and eventualy a VP. His name is Walter Brady.

Antonio Rodriguez		08-Mar-2014 04:33
I was a graduate of Eastern airlines OJT school for A&P licensed mechanic, 1956-60. I worked till till May 1962 where I was the no. 1 out of 162 mechanics laid off. I went on to get my Aerospace Engineering degree from the University of Florida.

John Elliott		12-Jan-2014 14:02
My father, Tom Elliott, worked in the charlotte office as a programer in computer sciences until his death in 1967. My mother was hired, and retired in the 80's.

Don Boyd		06-Nov-2013 21:13
IAM District 100 President Charlie Bryan passed away at age 79 on Saturday, November 2, 2013, at a retirement community outside of Orlando. Bryan led the IAM on the final strike at Eastern in 1989 and the other unions followed. Eastern shut down operations in January 1991 and all the assets were sold. It was a tremendous economic blow to cities with large numbers of well-paid Eastern employees but especially so in Miami where their corporate headquarters and training facilities were located and it seemed like every block in town had an Eastern Airlines family. Eastern's death led thousands of people to leave the Miami area in search of airline/aircraft employment throughout the USA and starting all over again. A Forbes article on his death is located at http://www.forbes.com/sites/tedreed/2013/11/05/charlie-bryan-who-led-the-eastern-airlines-strike-was-a-hero-to-some-but-not-to-all/ Don .

Bill Parks		28-Aug-2013 20:38
Still believe I have the original Douglas and Electra EAL Flight Manuals up in my attic from the 60,s. If any interest contact Parkswe@aol.com

Bill Parks		28-Aug-2013 20:17
I was a Flight Engineer with EAL from 1957 till the big strike in 1962. Flew all the Connie's Dc6,s,7,s and Electra,s. Stationed in Boston. Was also a pilot but elected to stick with my F E buddies.

Bob Kimber		08-Jul-2012 22:44
I was an Eeastern Apprentice Mechanic in Mia in the sixties, and saw the transition from the piston era to the jet age. The first 727-100 rolled into bay 36 from Renton Washington's Boeing factory, it was just about the most beautiful airplane I have ever seen---those were the days to remember---such class.

Ray Carstens		25-Nov-2011 01:07
my Dad was a mechanic at Eastern while going to school for flight engineer - became engineer til the ALPA strike...later flew for overseas companies..

Susan Moore		23-Nov-2011 12:22
I was a stewardess for EAL 1966-69.I will always treasure the memories,and wish Eastern was still flying.It truly was the best airline in America-Susan Moore

Gerald McQueen		02-Jun-2011 02:57
I started my Computer Sciences career in 1971 at EASTERN AIRLINES SYSTEM ONE - DORAL COMPUTER CENTER. Eastern will ALWAYS be a part of me. I remember taking part in making a commercial and photo of the oval Eastern Airlines logo... made up of about 1,200 employees. Does anyone have a copy of that poster/photo to share? Jerald McQueen - jmcqueen@phoenix-energysystems.com

PAUL STEELE		12-Apr-2011 18:25
My father Edwin Steele worked at Eastern for 28 years retiring in 1988. He worked as a aircraft mechanic, later in base maintanence and finished his career in the engine shop working on the CSD's at MIA. Growing up in Miami Springs, Fl was a airplane lovers treat. There were Eastern, National and Pan American employees on every block. My friends and I would ride our bikes in the summer to MIA and watch the planes along 36th street. I was neat as a kid to dress up in a suit with my Mom and Dad to fly on passes to other destinations on Eastern's routes. The Airline industry will never, ever be the same.

Bob Kimber		26-Aug-2010 20:06
What a step back into the good old days, thanks. I was a ramp serviceman in SYR and then ORD, then a Apprentice Mechanic, Heavy Maintenance Mechanic in Miami during the begining on the jet age. The first Boeing 727-100 rolled in from Renton Wash, wow, what a beauty, ship 101.

Tom Kerwin		24-Jul-2009 01:09
Until the demise of of this great airline I flew on almost every model flown from 1955 to 1987 (as a passenger) Eastern was always my first choice to fly. This site is a great tribute to all the wonderful people of this once proud airline which should have never "gone down" the way it did.

John R, Agnew		13-May-2009 19:12
In the 1950s I used to retread tires for EAL. (My father ran General Tire of Miami.) This business put me through college and medical school. So long ago, yet not so long.

Thomas L Massung Jr		08-Mar-2009 18:43
Guest was me. Before I forget. Pan Am called itself the worlds largest airline. The truth is Eastern had the biggest fleet of aircraft. Pan Am could make that statement because they covered the most air miles. Us old folks remember that Eastern was successfully kept from obtaining the overseas routes. My Mom's brother was employed by National Airlines as a mechanic.

Guest		08-Mar-2009 18:38
Don...can't wait to see those new photos. I wish I would have saved some of the old Eastern silverware my folks had form the good old days before the invent of plastic that ends up in landfills forever and ever.

Don Boyd		08-Mar-2009 17:57
Thomas, and everyone else who has written in: thank you for your comments and description of your family's involvement with Eastern. There are a lot more photos coming later this year including old historical shots never seen anywhere before, so check back from time to time. Don

Thomas L Massung Jr		07-Mar-2009 17:51
Thanks so much for doing this. My father Thomas L Massung Sr (mechanic), his brother Gene Massung (Captian) both retired from the Great Eastern Air Lines I have flown in every aircraft type Eastern ever opearted as an passenger airlines. Eastern clothed me, fed me, and made sure I could see a doctor anytime I needed to my entire childhood. I will forever be greatful to the great Eddie Rickenbacher and Arthur Godfrey (my Dad personally knew both men) for the wonderful childhood they provided me by employing my father. In the old days my Dad would take to me to work with him in the summer while he was a leadman mechanic on 2nd shift. Those memories are some of the fondest of my life. I was born Dec'51 and have spent my entire life in Aviation and still do to this day. Thanks again for the memories!

Steve		02-Feb-2009 22:58
Yes, your comments and these pics do bring back memories. We were an Eastern family too. My aunt and multiple uncles, besides my father all worked there over a 30 year period. Me and my brothers and sisters used to get hauled around to all of the EAL company picnics and BBQ and new plane inaugurations... my father even won a contest to name he B727, WhisperJet. So everything in our house related to Eastern. Hell, my father spent so much time traveling, his Eastern co-workers ended up constantly coming by the house and checking on our family. One of his work buddies whom I will never forget, and was always the "father" I called when dad was out-of-town, was Jim Balabous, a greater and nicer person I have never met. But among my most cherished memories is my years spent serving as a member of the Eastern Air Lines Air Explorers. We camped, hiked, swam, canoed and otherwise, trained, spending lots of time on the road in our custom overhauled Greyhound bus painted in our sponsor's aircraft 2-tone blue stripes. Marshall Buele (not sure on spelling), Howard Kelly, and Jim Hall, were all great advisors to me and the rest of our group for many years of their dedicated service. I truly wish I could have a conversation with them about our good-ole-days... Steve Nuin

Manocarz		17-Sep-2008 16:14
Even though I could not pick my father and my maternal grandmother, both of whom were employees of EAL at that time, I feel sure they were probably in the group photo at that time. I especially hoped to pick my father out of the group of mechanic's photo, but my eyes are not clear enough to do so. He worked at EAL from the late 30's or around 1940 until he retired in 1970. He was a machinist, sheet metal mechanic and was a lead man. I'm not sure what role my grandmother played while she was employed there. She died in 1957 while on sick leave. I also have a now deceased step-aunt that work there in some role until the late 1960's.

Vernon Smith, Jr.		28-Jul-2008 17:03
I was one of those Eastern Kids growing up in Hialeah. My dad worked for eastern a total of 25 years. He was a welder, painter, rench turner, and just about every other job concerning aircraft. You were correct about the airline industry in Miami in the fifties and sixties. On our street we had Pan Am, Eastern, and National employees. One of our family outings was to pick up a sandwitch in Miami Springs and go to the airport and watch the aircraft takeoff and land next to 36 st. To this day I still get a kick out of watching aircraft. I even bacame a pilot for the Army as a result of my growing up in Miami. Thanks for the excellent photos.

June Steding		28-Apr-2008 13:37
Great photos.. My Dad worked for Eastern from 1945-1987 and I worked there from 1968-1983. I enjoy seeing the old photos - even the ones from before my time. Hard to see what's happening to the airline industry these days.

Georgia		11-Mar-2008 22:11
Doesn't anyone remember Jimmy Hartley. A true hero. When there was no food service at the Terminal (early 50's) at night time---I worked the night shift at the Post Inn, It was owned by a Dr Frank. Later I worked at the Eastern Cafeteria. Enjoying the pictures and remembering the OLD times.

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1933 - Captain Dick Merrill in the cockpit of an Eastern Air Transport Curtiss Condor CO 18	1933 - Eastern Air Transport's Captain Bob Chew, co-pilot John Armstrong in a Curtiss T-32 Condor II bi-plane	1933 - Eastern Air Transport Curtiss Condor 18 airliner	1940's - Seminole Indians watching passengers and Eastern Air Lines DC3-201B NC21729 at Pan American Field, Miami	1947 - Eastern Air Lines DC-4 at the 36th Street Terminal, Miami
Late 1940's/early 1950's - Eastern Air Lines mechanics and a DC-3 at Miami International Airport	Late 1940's/early 1950's - closeup of Eastern Air Lines mechanics and a DC-3 at Miami International Airport	1950's - Eastern's chairman Eddie Rickenbacker being interviewed	1950's - Santa arriving on EAL DC-3 N15567 to greet children of Eastern's employees	1950's - Santa arriving on EAL DC-3 N15567 to greet children of Eastern employees
1951 - Eastern Air Lines mechanics with a DC-3 at Miami	1953 - Captain Eddie Rickenbacker, Honorary Captain Arthur Godfrey, Captain Dick Merrill and unknown	1953 - #1 and #2 engines starting up on Eastern Air Lines Super Constellation ship #202 for flight 601 from Idlewild to Miami	1953 - FAA Air Traffic Controller Don Innes and another gent at MIA's Tower #8 with Eastern Constellation in the background	1953 - Eastern Air Lines Super Constellation taxiing out to runway 9R at MIA with MIAD building in the background
1953 - Eastern Air Lines stewardess providing inflight service on flight 601 Super Constellation service from Idlewild to Miami	1953 - Eastern Air Lines Super Constellation final approach to runway 17 at MIA over the golf course in Miami Springs	1953 - Eastern Air Lines Lockheed L-1049 Super Constellation landing on MIA's runway 17 after flight from Idlewild	1950's - Eastern Air Lines timetable	1950's - Eastern Air Lines Lockheed Constellation off Miami Beach
1950's - Eastern Air Lines DC-7B over Miami Beach	1950's - Eastern Air Lines Lockheed Constellation over downtown Miami	Early 1950's - Eastern Air Lines aircraft at Eastern's large maintenance base at Miami International Airport	1950's - Eastern Air Lines Lockheed L-1049 Constellation	1955 - Eastern Air Lines Lockheed Constellation at Miami International Airport
1950's - Eastern Air Lines hangars at Miami International Airport	1950's - Eastern Air Lines hangars at Miami International Airport	Mid to late 1950's - an Eastern Air Lines DC-7B preparing to takeoff on runway 27L at Miami International Airport	1950's - new stewardesses after a training flight on Eastern's Lockheed Electra N5502	1957 - the Eastern Air Lines Terminal at Miami International Airport on NW 36th Street
1959 - Eastern Air Lines Lockheed L-1049G Constellation N6240G crash landing at Miami International Airport after airborne fire	1962 - Eastern Air Lines B-720A (non-fan) at Miami International Airport	Early 1960's - Eastern Air Lines DC8-21	November 1963 - Eastern Air Lines gets their first jet bridge on Concourse 5 (now D) at Miami International Airport	1964 - Eastern Air Lines ad promoting their new B727-25 in the Home News
1964 - Eastern Air Lines ad congratulating the Home News on their 20th Anniversary of serving Hialeah and Miami Springs	1964 - Eastern Air Lines DC-7B N823D at Miami International Airport	1964 - Eastern Air Lines DC8-21 N8606 at Miami International Airport	1964 - Eastern Air Lines DC8-21 N8606 at Miami International Airport	1965 - Eastern Lockheed Constellation in the hockey puck scheme
1965 - Eastern DC-8 on the south side of Concourse 6 (later C which is now gone)	1960's - Eastern Air Lines Lockheed Electras on Concourse 5 at Miami International Airport	1960's (?) - Eastern's Santa was Charlie Graflin	1971 - Eastern Airlines Aero Commander 500B N6291X and Lockheed JetStar 6 N12241 "WhisperStar" at Miami	1971 - Eastern Airlines Boeing 747-121 N735PA and DC9-31 N8964E on the end of Concourse 5 at MIA
1971 - Eastern B747-121 N731PA taking off from runway 9L beyond Eastern B747-121 N737PA parked on the end of Concourse 5 at MIA	1971 - Eastern Airlines Boeing 747-121 N731PA parked on the Eastern Maintenance Base at MIA	1971 - Eastern Airlines aircraft on concourses 5 and 6 at Miami International Airport	1972 - Eastern Airlines Lockheed L1011-385 N310EA that crashed as Flight 401 in the Everglades	1973 - Eastern Airlines buildings 5A, 16 and 11 at Miami Intenational Airport
1973 - Eastern Airlines Commercial Computer Operations Tape Library section	1973 - Eastern Airlines Commercial Computer Operations Tape Library section	1973 - the mainframe computer tape library at Eastern Airlines Commercial Computer Operations	1973 - Eastern Airlines corporate headquarters in Building 16 (left) at Miami International Airport	1981 - Eastern Airlines Lockheed L-1011 N333EA taking off on runway 12 at Miami International Airport
1984 - Eastern Airlines Lockheed L1011-385 N318EA taxiing out for takeoff as another Eastern L1011 takes off from runway 9-left	1986 - Eastern Airlines DC10-30 N390EA waiting to cross runway 9L-27R from their maintenance base to the terminal	2008 - the Historical Flight Foundation's restored Eastern Air Lines DC-7B N836D Open House stock photo #1446	2008 - the Historical Flight Foundation's restored Eastern Air Lines DC-7B N836D Open House stock photo #SDC10049	2008 - former flight attendants on the Historical Flight Foundation's restored Eastern Air Lines DC-7B N836D stock photo #1433
2008 - former EAL employees on the Historical Flight Foundation's restored Eastern Air Lines DC-7B N836D stock photo #1434	2008 - former EAL employees on the Historical Flight Foundation's restored Eastern Air Lines DC-7B N836D stock photo #1435	2008 - EAL route map on bulkhead of the Historical Flight Foundation's restored Eastern Air Lines DC-7B N836D stock photo #1438	2008 - the Historical Flight Foundation's restored Eastern Air Lines DC-7B N836D Open House stock photo #10020	2008 - EAL route map on bulkhead of the Historical Flight Foundation's restored Eastern Air Lines DC-7B N836D stock photo #10021
2008 - the Historical Flight Foundation's restored Eastern Air Lines DC-7B N836D Open House stock photo #10024	2008 - the Historical Flight Foundation's restored Eastern Air Lines DC-7B N836D Open House stock photo #10025	2008 - the Historical Flight Foundation's restored Eastern Air Lines DC-7B N836D Open House stock photo #10026	2008 - the Historical Flight Foundation's restored Eastern Air Lines DC-7B N836D Open House stock photo #10030	2008 - Carlos Gomez, co-owner of the restored Eastern Air Lines DC-7B N836D at the Open House stock photo #10039
2008 - aerial view of the Historical Flight Foundation's Open House at Opa-locka Executive Airport	2008 - a scene at the Historical Flight Foundation's Open House at Opa-locka Executive Airport	2008 - the Historical Flight Foundation's restored Eastern Air Lines DC-7B N836D Open House stock photo #10049	2008 - the Historical Flight Foundation's restored Eastern Air Lines DC-7B N836D Open House stock photo #10053	2008 - the Historical Flight Foundation's restored Eastern Air Lines DC-7B N836D Open House stock photo #10058
2008 - the Historical Flight Foundation's restored Eastern Air Lines DC-7B N836D Open House stock photo #10060	2008 - the Historical Flight Foundation's restored Eastern Air Lines DC-7B N836D aviation stock photo #1467	2008 - the Historical Flight Foundation's restored Eastern Air Lines DC-7B N836D aviation stock photo #10061	2008 - the Historical Flight Foundation's restored Eastern Air Lines DC-7B N836D aviation stock photo #10062	2011 - Bldg 5A on the Northeast Base at MIA (parking lot is the former site of Eastern Airlines Bldg. 16 and Bldg. 11)
2011 - looking west at the former site of Eastern Airlines Building 11 and parking lot on the Northeast Base at MIA	2011 - the Historical Flight Foundation's restored Eastern Air Lines DC-7B N836D	2011 - the Historical Flight Foundation's restored Eastern Air Lines DC-7B N836D	2011 - the Historical Flight Foundation's restored Eastern Air Lines DC-7B N836D	2011 - a view of the Northeast Base, formerly the Eastern Airlines maintenance base and headquarters, at Miami International
January 2017 - giant painting of Eastern Air Lines DC-7B at the Southwest Airlines terminal at Tampa International Airport	January 2017 - giant painting of Eastern Air Lines DC-7B at the Southwest Airlines terminal at Tampa International Airport	February 2017 - the new Eastern Airlines, B737-8CX(WL) N277EA, in the Northeast Base at Miami International Airport