Airline Name
Morris Air (Morris Air Service Incorporated)
IATA: FN/KN [sources vary] / ICAO: MSS / CALLSIGN: WASATCH
Founded and commenced charter operations in 1984 (as Morris Air Service), commenced commercial operations in 1992 (Dec.), ceased operations in 1994 (Oct. 4th)
(Merged into Southwest Airlines)Just a little interesting note: while the airline was sold to Southwest way earlier in December 1993, and a few sources report Morris ceasing services in June 1994, I was able to find other sources listing that it operated up the date given above, October 4th of that year, after which independent services finally ceased, and the airline with its routes and its aircraft were merged into Southwest.
Country of Origin
United States of America, North America ()
Main Hub(s): Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC)
Aircraft Types Used (from those available in WoA)
(All operated types are in WoA already - or are planned to be.)Aircraft operated:
Boeing 737 (-300, B733) - 21-25 former. [sources vary]
(Pictured below: N758MA and N778MA, in such respective order.)Aircraft status
N758MA was later transferred to Southwest and re-registered as N669SW, where it was known as for the rest of its life, until leaving the fleet in 2016 and being scrapped soon after.
N778MA was similarly transferred to Southwest and re-registered as N671SW, which it also carried until the end of its life, leaving the airline in 2012 and being scrapped shortly after.
Here’s an alternative variant of that livery featuring a different logo and operating titles:
(Pictured below: N744MA and N764MA, in such respective order.)Aircraft status
N744MA later was passed on to Southwest, later re-registered as N694SW, which is what it operated as for the rest of its life. Later taken out of service in 2016 and scrapped.
N764MA was also passed on and was re-registered to N697SW, serving Southwest for the rest of its life. In 2016, it was taken out of service and scrapped, possibly around 2017.
And finally, here’s an example of a hybrid livery between this airline and Sierra Pacific Airlines:
(Pictured below: N730MA, across both pictures)Aircraft status
N730MA was another example of Morris Air’s aircraft that went to Southwest - and remained with them for the rest of its time, similar to the aircraft covered above. Last known as N695SW, it was later withdrawn from use in 2008 and scrapped at some point after.
Why should this airline be added?
I’d say this airline should be added as it was a nice, small yet notable airline in American commercial aviation, serving quite a nice variety of destinations, despite its rather short time as an airline. It’d also add more content to work with when it comes to the upcoming 737 Classics, and I can envision it making for great event or even special contract material.
(yes, I know I say this in a lot of my suggestions… i just like the idea of special contracts LOL)This airline had quite a unique history, working with the likes of Sierra Pacific Airlines and ATA; the former providing charter flights and aircraft (as you saw with N730MA, for example) whereas the latter also provided flights, though this was specifically to Honolulu.
On the topic of destinations, though, I did mention they serviced a nice variety of them, but to be more specific: Wikipedia claims they flew to Anchorage, Honolulu, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Portland, Oakland, Sacramento (mention), Stapleton (mention 2), San Diego, Seattle, alongside some Mexican destinations such as Cancun and Los Cabos.
There were even a few shots of their aircraft in Vancouver, but I have no idea if it was an actual destination they served. Judging how it wasn’t in any route map I found, I’m going to assume not.Anyways though, to conclude, I think that this airline should be added as it would be excellent to see with the upcoming 737 family, with a nice decent variety in liveries, especially for the airline’s size - alongside making for a great event airline, with the option of being available as a special contract as the likes of something like SAN, or another possible US airport… if one eventually rolls around, that is. Who knows, really?
SOURCES:
Morris Air’s Planespotters.net Page
Morris Air’s Wikipedia Page