TransCal Fleet - 1980s

Starting out as Trans-California Airlines in 1970 as an intra-state airline based out of Orange County Airport by 1981 it had grown into a popular regional carrier on the west coast rivalling its rival and neighbour AeroCalifornia based in San Diego.

1981 saw the airline introduce a stylish new image rebranding as TransCal complete with a livery inspired by the California sun. New aircraft would arrive in the same period with brand new 737-300s entering service in 1985 taking over from the MD-80 which would leave the fleet the same year.

The 1980s would be a heated time for the growing airline as a deadly rivalry with AeroCalifornia and Phoenix based Desert West would turn the airline into a takeover target. Both East Coast Airlines and Desert West pursued takeover bids of the smaller airline continuing until 1992 when both under threat of takeover from larger carriers AeroCalifornia and TransCal would agree to merge, the TransCal brand would disappear with the merger and the combined airline would use the AeroCalifornia brand and livery, this merger with the subsequent acquisition of Surfrider by the combined group would stave off the attempted buyouts and create a West Coast rising star.

AeroCalifornia would go on to be one of the largest carriers on the West Coast and bring several competitors into its stable.

Today TransCal lives on with a single 737-800 in the livery as part of AeroCalifornia's retro fleet paying tribute to the airlines that today make up the group.