Airline is a British and later, American television reality show that showcases the daily happenings of passengers, ground workers and on-board staff members of Britannia and later easyJet in the British version, and Southwest Airlines in the American version. The show in the UK has been shown since 1998 on ITV (ITV1) and on syndication on Sky Travel. The American version started in 2004 on the A&E television channel and in the UK on ITV1 as Airline USA. From time to time, the A&E television channel shows the UK version of Airline, which they call Airline UK.

The British version

The original series of the show followed Britannia Airways based at Manchester and London-Gatwick. The program showed a lot of the action onboard the aircraft, with people such as Captain Peter Clack, BJ Albrich, Pat Baines, a lion, Cathy daffy (and her boyfriend Matthew) and Gerrie-Anne girl who was left at Manchester airport (and her father man who wanted an airline employee to be reprimanded and sacked). The show was then narrated by Tony Robinson.

Since the second series was broadcast in 1999 the program has been following the staff and passengers of easyJet, featured mainly at its hubs at Bristol, Liverpool John Lennon, London-Luton and Newcastle airports. However, it occasionally follows passengers with interesting or unusual stories to their final destinations. Tony Robinson continued as voiceover until 2000, when Veronika Hyks replaced him.

A few celebrity look-a-like passengers include Sharon Stone and Sting.

ITV1 airs repeats on a regular basis, as well as the Nine Network in Australia.

The American version

The show is broadcast on the A&E Network, and is centered on passengers and flights originating out of Southwest hubs at Chicago Midway, Los Angeles International and Baltimore-Washington International, although it often follows passengers on to their final destinations. Season 3 in 2005 started including stories at Houston's Hobby Airport.

Airline follows customers in all types of moods and situations, a fair percentage being intoxicated would-be passengers, which compose most of the comedy for the show. It also takes a look at employees' adventures both on and off the job, including a customer service supervisor going to his high school reunion and the ceremony surrounding a 30-year pilot Steve Palmason's last flight before retirement in which the classic retirement "water cannon" taxi is performed, where 2 firetrucks shoot an arch of water over the plane. The plane is filled with his family members and they decorate the plane so he sees it after landing. Southwest founder Herb Kelleher is even on hand for the celebration.

A few celebrity passengers have been caught by the show's cameras, including Randy Travis, Sisqó, Charo, and William Hung (of American Idol fame).

On December 15, 2005, A&E announced that they were canceling Airline after 70 episodes. The program still airs but does not have a regular time slot.

The show broadcasts throughout the world including Australia on the Seven Network.

Similar programs

• Airport - (UK)
• Animal Airport - (UK)
• Bristol Airport - (UK)
• Luton Airport - (UK)
• holiday Airline - (UK)

External links

• Airline official page (US)

ITV television programmes | Southwest Airlines | Reality television series | Seven Network shows | A&E Television Networks