Well, there was this man.....



Sir Freddie Laker. Lovely "chap", as they say over there. Known best for starting Freddie Laker's "SkyTrain" in England. He was previously a contractor for the Berlin Airlift, and started Laker Airways in the 1960's using 727's (see pic). Next he flew DC-10's as "SkyTrain" between Britian and the US starting in 1977 (Jimmy Carter helped facilitate the approval; his "warm up" for US deregulation later on). Fares were 35 pounds one way, and of course it went bankrupt in 1982 after about 5 years (all those mean legacy carriers trying to protect their turf no doubt. Also those problems with "The Ten"). Largest corporate bankruptcy in Britian's history at the time to the tune of 250 million pounds. Said he "wanted to bring air travel to the masses". He was knighted by the Queen the same year he started SkyTrain. Royality loves a little populist theater every now and then.

He died in 2006 after a couple more failed startups. Richard Branson considered him a mentor, named one of his first 747's after him. Freddie encouraged Branson to sue Brittish Airways in the early 90's for predatory pricing, a case which they won. JP