You will receive the exact certificate pictured
Over 35 years old
Class B Common stock
August 28, 1985
Issued, uncanceled
Security-Columbian Bank Note Company
Machine printed signatures
12" (w) by 8" (h)
NA
Historical Context
This company was founded by Don Burr, and several others, who resigned from Frank Lorenzo's Texas International in order to do so. Burr was influenced by British airline entrepreneur Freddie Laker, whose forays into low-cost air travel attracted much press in the 1970s. Terminal space was leased at Newark Airport's North Terminal. The North Terminal was the primary passenger building at the airport until 1974 when Terminal A opened. Prior to People Express, the North Terminal was used by World Airways, and prior to the opening of Terminal C, North Terminal was used for international arrivals.
People Express was launched on April 30, 1981, with Boeing 737 flights from Newark to Buffalo, Columbus and Norfolk; Jacksonville and Cleveland Hopkins were added a month later. In December PE had 42 weekday departures from EWR to Baltimore/Washington, Boston Logan, Burlington, Buffalo Niagara, Port Columbus, Jacksonville, Norfolk, Sarasota-Bradenton, Syracuse Hancock and Palm Beach plus some flights around the periphery of the hub-and-spokes.
On May 26, 1983, People Express began non-stop flights from Newark to London's Gatwick Airport with a leased Boeing 747-227B previously operated by Braniff International Airways. Flights started at $149 each way. The route was an instant success with all flights sold out.
The airline used a simplified fare structure. All seats on a route were offered at the same price except for slightly lower "off-peak" fares. All seats were in economy class except for "Premium Class" on Boeing 747 flights which featured two class service. Fares were paid in cash aboard the aircraft early in the flight. Passengers were permitted to bring one carry-on bag for free and each checked bag cost $3.00. People Express was the first United States airline to charge a fee for each checked bag. People Express also charged modest amounts for customers wanting food or beverages. Sodas cost 50¢ per can, beer cost $1 per can, honey-roasted peanuts and Rachel's brownies were also 50¢, and the People Express "snak-pak" (an assortment of cheeses, crackers, and salami) cost $2.
By 1986, People Express was offering first class in addition to coach seating on all of its Boeing 747 aircraft. A full color print ad at the time stated: "AHHH....THE THINGS SOME PEOPLE HAVE TO DO TO SAVE MONEY. Introducing People Express First Class. Spacious leather seats, two abreast. Service beyond compare. Fine china, crystal and linen. Fresh flowers....A price lower than most standard coach fares on other airlines." This first class service was available on transatlantic flights between Newark and Europe, on transcontinental flights between Newark and California, and on 747 flights between Newark and Denver.
Acquisitions of other airlines
In 1985 People Express bought out Denver-based Frontier Airlines. The cover of the May 1, 1986, People Express timetable had the following message: "We're Flying The Widest Plane To The Highest Place: Introducing The Only 747 Service From New York To Denver. PEOPLExpress & Frontier" This 747 service linked the People Express hub at Newark Airport with the Frontier hub in Denver. The combined company operated flights to most major U.S. cities as well as international service to Brussels and London. People Express also bought two commuter air carriers, Britt Airways in the U.S. Midwest and Provincetown-Boston Airlines (PBA) which served New England and Florida.
By June 1985, People Express had lost $5.8 million on operating income of $18.7 million.
On August 2, 1985, the company announced it was launching daily Boeing 747 service between Brussels and Newark at the prices of $149; to promote the new route, fares were discounted to $99 until September 30. By that time, the airline flew to 41 cities worldwide, with 4,000 employees and a fleet of 72 airplanes.
The purchasing spree placed an enormous debt burden on the carrier at the same time that the major legacy carriers' improved their yield management schemes, enabling them to better compete with People Express fares. Integrating Frontier's operations caused labor struggles within the newly absorbed airline, and the change to a low-fare, no-frills mentality alienated Frontier's passengers.
Debt pressure on the carrier forced a change in philosophy, as People Express sought to lure business travelers who would pay higher fares. Aircraft cabins were redesigned to include a first-class section, a frequent flyer plan was initiated, and the simplified fare structure was abandoned in favor of the now-usual "revenue management" pricing.
Merger with Continental Airlines
The failed integration and enormous debt stretched People Express too far, and in June 1986, the company announced that it was working with an investment bank to seek buyers for part, or all, of the airline. A deal to sell Frontier off to United Airlines fell through due to the inability of United to agree to terms with their unions on how to incorporate Frontier's staff, leading People Express management to cease Frontier's operations and file for bankruptcy protection for the subsidiary.
In the end, People Express was forced to sell entirely to Texas Air Corporation for roughly $125 million in cash, notes, and assumed debt. Due to concerns about regulatory approval for the purchase, Texas Air first purchased the assets of Frontier from People Express in a separate transaction worth $176 million and then merged Frontier into Continental Airlines, another Texas Air subsidiary. People Express ceased to exist as a carrier on February 1, 1987, when its operations were subsequently merged as well into Continental Airlines via a joint marketing agreement. Continental maintained the Newark hub built by People Express, which passed to United Airlines after United and Continental merged in 2010.
People Express's spartan, no-frills service earned the carrier several derisive nicknames, including "People Distress" and "Air Bulgaria" (a sarcastic reference to the poor customer service associated with Eastern Bloc countries during the Cold War).
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