Bar Harbor Airlines
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Airline |
| Founded | October 2, 1943 in Bar Harbor, Maine, United States |
| Founder | Thomas Caruso, Joseph Caruso |
| Defunct | 1991 |
| Fate | Merged to form ExpressJet |
| Headquarters | Houston , United States |
Area served | New England, Eastern United States, Quebec City (international route) |
Key people | T. J. Caruso (President) |
| Products | Regional commuter airline services |
| Parent | Texas Air Corporation (partial ownership from 1987) |
Bar Harbor Airlines was a U.S.-based regional commuter carrier operating from 1943 until its 1991 merger, which resulted in the creation of ExpressJet. Originally headquartered at Hancock County–Bar Harbor Airport in Trenton, Maine, the airline later moved its main office to Houston, Texas.
History
The airline was established on October 2, 1943, by brothers Thomas and Joseph Caruso under the name Bar Harbor Airways. It initially offered charter and sightseeing flights departing from the Bar Harbor town dock. By 1950, operations had shifted to Hancock County–Bar Harbor Airport.
Scheduled commuter services commenced in 1968, beginning with routes between Bar Harbor and Bangor International Airport. This was supported by a joint marketing agreement with Northeast Airlines to connect passengers onward to Boston Logan Airport. When this collaboration ended shortly thereafter, Bar Harbor Airlines began operating direct flights to Boston. By 1972, the carrier—now known as Bar Harbor Airlines—had expanded its network to include five airports and introduced an international route linking Boston to Quebec City via stops in Portland and Bangor.
During the 1970s, the airline concentrated on short-distance commuter routes using mainly Cessna 402 and 310 aircraft, later incorporating Beech 99 planes into its fleet. It also provided cargo transport throughout its destinations. The airline’s operational strategy featured hubs at each served city to enable rapid aircraft turnaround times.
In May 1978, under the leadership of President T. J. Caruso, service between Portland and Hartford, Maine was extended.
The company experienced serious challenges following two major accidents: a non-fatal cargo flight crash in 1976 and a fatal accident in 1978 that claimed the lives of founder Thomas Caruso, his son Gary (the Vice President), and two pilots. The latter crash was linked to a manufacturing defect, resulting in compensation for the victims’ families. Another tragic event occurred in 1985 when Flight 1808 crashed during landing in Auburn, Maine, causing eight fatalities including prominent passenger Samantha Smith.
1980s
Despite the high-profile 1985 crash involving Samantha Smith, Bar Harbor Airlines remained largely regionally focused within New England. It designated Boston's Logan International Airport as its principal hub alongside its original base at Bar Harbor. Throughout this decade, the fleet diversified with additions such as Convair CV-600, CASA C-212 Aviocar, Saab 340, Beechcraft 1900, and ATR 42 turboprop aircraft, which were swiftly integrated into service. Bar Harbor operated flights through code-sharing agreements initially with Eastern Air Lines and subsequently with Continental Airlines.
By 1982, Bar Harbor had collaborated with Eastern Air Lines to handle reservations at selected airports.
In April 1987, Texas Air Corporation acquired a half ownership stake in Bar Harbor and facilitated the acquisition of Provincetown-Boston Airlines (PBA) by Bar Harbor. Texas Air, which owned Eastern and Continental Airlines at that time, had gained PBA through its merger with People Express. PBA operated as Continental Express while Bar Harbor functioned as Eastern Express. Texas Air oversaw combined commuter operations for both carriers under PBA/Bar Harbor across hubs located in Boston, New York/LaGuardia, Newark, Philadelphia, Tampa, and Miami.
In October 1988, a near mid-air collision occurred between a Bar Harbor commuter flight and Air Force One during approach into Newark, New Jersey; this incident was attributed to errors involving four different FAA facilities.
In 1989, after Maine chose not to renew a multimillion-dollar tax incentive package, Bar Harbor Airlines relocated its headquarters to Houston, Texas.
1990s
Through additional aircraft financing facilitated by Eastern and Continental, Texas International Airlines secured a controlling stake in Bar Harbor. By 1990, Bar Harbor had phased out its older planes in favor of a more modern fleet. After Eastern experienced a strike, bankruptcy, and separated from Texas Air, Bar Harbor was divided between the two airlines: Saab 340 and Beechcraft 99 aircraft were transferred to Eastern, while ATR 42s went to Continental. Correspondingly, routes were allocated with Miami and Tampa hubs assigned to Eastern Express, and Newark, LaGuardia, and Boston hubs designated for Continental Express. Employees were given the option to join either the Eastern Express or Continental Express divisions. The Bar Harbor Airlines brand and operating certificate were retained by Eastern for its Florida operations. Meanwhile, Continental consolidated Bar Harbor’s New England services with commuter carriers Britt Airways and Rocky Mountain Airways, operating under Britt Airways’ certificate.
During the 1991 Gulf War, both Bar Harbor and its parent company Eastern Air Lines confronted financial difficulties due to escalating fuel prices and management problems that eventually led to Eastern’s downfall. Two months after Eastern halted operations in January 1991, Bar Harbor also ceased functioning as Eastern Express. Investor efforts to purchase Bar Harbor’s former assets were unsuccessful, resulting in liquidation alongside Eastern.
Northern routes previously served by Bar Harbor continued under Continental Express through Britt Airways. By 1992, Continental Express transferred the original Bar Harbor-Boston route to Colgan Air and centralized East Coast operations at Newark. Cities formerly served by Bar Harbor—including Bangor, Portland, Presque Isle, Burlington, Hartford, Manchester, Albany, Philadelphia, and Hyannis—retained service to Newark utilizing ex-Bar Harbor ATR 42 aircraft.
Livery
During the 1970s, Bar Harbor’s aircraft sported a straightforward yellow cheatline on a white background. Later on, the airline adopted a striking livery featuring red and blue stripes separated by prominent blue stars. While operating as an Eastern Express carrier, it employed a modified color scheme of Eastern Airlines with a distinctive flared "hockey stick" design on the tail.
Incidents and accidents
Below is an overview of significant incidents involving Bar Harbor Airlines aircraft:
| Flight | Date | Aircraft | Location | Description | Fatalities |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bar Harbor Airlines Flight 1808 | August 25, 1985 | Beechcraft Model 99 | Auburn, Maine | The aircraft crashed after failing to land on the runway at Lewiston-Auburn Regional Airport, resulting in the loss of all eight passengers and crew onboard, including Samantha Smith, a well-known young American goodwill ambassador. | 8 |
See also
- Articles with short description
- Bar Harbor Airlines
- Defunct airlines of the United States
- Airlines established in 1943
- Airlines disestablished in 1991
- Companies based in Hancock County, Maine
- Defunct companies based in Maine
- Airlines based in Maine
- Bar Harbor, Maine
- American companies established in 1943
- 1943 establishments in Maine
- 5
- Companies of the United States by year of establishment