Hughes Airwest History: The Top Banana in the West – Airline Employee Shop

Hughes Airwest History

Hughes Airwest began as a three-way merger of western local airlines, became famous under Howard Hughes for its bright yellow jets, and was folded into Republic in 1980. Here's a short history of Hughes Airwest, plus the Hughes Airwest collection that celebrates it.

Air West is formed (1968)

In 1968 three western local service airlines combined: Bonanza Air Lines of Phoenix, Pacific Air Lines of San Francisco and West Coast Airlines of Seattle. The new Air West inherited a mixed fleet, including Fairchild F-27 turboprops, older piston aircraft and three Boeing 727s, and a route map that stretched across the West. Its first year was hard, and it lost money.

Howard Hughes takes over (1968–1971)

Billionaire Howard Hughes moved to buy the struggling airline in 1968, and the deal was finalized at about $90 million. The airline became Hughes Air West. The older piston aircraft were sold, and the inherited 727s were gone by March 1970, leaving DC-9 jets and F-27s.

Sundance Yellow (1971–1979)

In 1971 the airline relaunched as Hughes Airwest with a bold all-yellow look called Sundance Yellow and a "Top Banana" marketing theme. San Francisco was its main base, and in the 1970s headquarters moved to San Mateo, California. Boeing 727-200s began arriving in 1976, and service grew to Calgary, Mexico and, through an interchange with the original Frontier Airlines, Denver. Hughes died in 1976, and growth slowed. A strike in the fall of 1979 grounded the airline for about two months.

Into Republic (1980)

On October 1, 1980, Republic Airlines completed its purchase of Hughes Airwest for $38.5 million. The yellow jets were repainted, and the western routes flew for a time as Republic West. Republic later became part of Northwest Airlines in 1986, which merged into Delta Air Lines.

A few things collectors love

  • The Sundance Yellow jets and matching uniforms made Hughes Airwest one of the easiest airlines to spot.
  • The "Top Banana" theme turned that yellow paint into the airline's calling card.
  • Hughes Airwest appeared in the 1977 Clint Eastwood film "The Gauntlet."

Shop Hughes Airwest

Browse Hughes Airwest logo T-shirts, coffee mugs, coasters, tote bags and vintage designs in the Hughes Airwest collection. Add an airline bag tag or key tag for the West Coast flyer in your life.

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