| Airline | |
|---|---|
| Format | Reality |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Language(s) | English |
| No. of seasons | 3 |
| No. of episodes | 70 |
| Production | |
| Running time | 30 minutes |
| Broadcast | |
| Original channel | A&E Network |
| Original run | January 5, 2004 – December 19, 2005 |
Airline was an American television reality show that showcases the daily happenings of passengers, ground workers and on-board staff members of Southwest Airlines. The show started in the USA on the A&E television channel in 2004. From time to time, the A&E television channel shows the UK version of Airline, which they call Airline UK.
The show, originally broadcast on the A&E Network, and is centered on passengers and flights originating out of Southwest focus cities at Chicago Midway and Los Angeles International, although it often follows passengers on to their final destinations. On July 5, 2004, Season 2 introduced stories at Baltimore-Washington International. Season 3 in 2005 started including stories at Houston's Hobby Airport.
Airline follows customers in all types of moods and situations. It also takes a look at employees both on and off the job, including a customer service supervisor going to his high school reunion, the ceremony surrounding a 30-year pilot Steve Palmason's last flight before retirement, and Gina Terrano becoming a flight attendant. The theme song is a jazzed up version of John Denver's "Leaving on a Jet Plane," performed by Jimmy Coup, later changed to a custom-made theme song named "37,000 feet."
A few celebrity passengers have been caught by the show's cameras, including country singer Randy Travis, professional poker player Howard Lederer, R&B singer Sisqó, 70s singer and dancer Charo, famous American Idol reject William Hung, Dance-turned-Country singer/actress Danielle Bollinger, and actor Antonio Fargas.
On December 15, 2005, A&E announced that they were canceling Airline after 70 episodes. The program aired on weekdays at 11:00 and 11:30 in the morning and in the afternoon at 5:00 and 5:30 (times are eastern) on A&E's Biography Channel until 2009.
The show broadcasts throughout the world including the UK on ITV2, Australia on 7TWO, Sweden on Kanal 5 and Latin American on A&E Mundo.
The series began airing in reruns on Lifetime on August 30, 2010 but it was taken off the schedule on November 1, 2010. Currently, Lifetime Real Women is playing it Monday through Thursday Nights at 8 pm and early Saturday mornings at 2am. However, as of January 7, 2012, it was taken off the early Saturday morning line-up.
Season One is available on DVD from A&E Home Entertainment.