Being in Asia for the past few months, I had no idea that Pan Am had debuted. Or that Christina Ricci had lost all that weight.
Pan Am is the highly stylized period drama about the iconic airline in its heyday. It’s glossy, idyllic settings make me nostalgic for yesteryear. The yesteryear of a few years ago that is, when airline reality shows were a lot more prevalent than they are today. So as a salute to Pam Am, let’s take a look at some of the airport reality shows that recently graced, and in some cases, shamed, the airwaves.
But first, take a peek at Pan Am…
Airport Reality Shows
Airport (1996 – 2008)
Debuting in 1996, Airport was the first reality show to focus on airport sky-jinks. Lasting a very respectable 12 seasons, it was a huge success for the BBC.
It perfected the fly-on-the-wall genre by following staff and passengers at London’s Heathrow airport, somehow managing to turn such mundane events as missing a flight, buying duty-free, or finding Heathrow airport parking into watchable drama. Have a gander at this clip of a stranded swan for example. Sublime.
Airline (UK: 1998 – 2006, US: 2004 — 2005)
The UK series featured Brittania Airways during the first season, then EasyJet in subsequent series, while the American version followed staff and passengers of Southwest Airlines.
Whether in the American heartland or across the pond, there is a common thread to both of these series – white trash. Take this delightful “I’ve got a bomb in me bag” charmer for instance. Priceless.
Fly Girls (2010)
Having its wings clipped short after 8 woefully long 30-minute episodes, Fly Girls was Virgin America’s attempt to break into the reality television game. It followed the sky-high shenanigans and ground level laments of 5 female flight attendants as they tramped their way around the US – literally. Heavily scripted and high on fluff, it caused Variety to remark it “…has all the authenticity of a perfume spot.“
The series aired in the United States on the CW network, known for such thought-provoking programming as Pussycat Dolls Present: and Farmer Wants a Wife. Considering the types of shows that normally do well in America (yes, I’m talking to you Bachelorette), I’m surprised this one wasn’t up for an Emmy or two.
CelebAir (2008)
The ITV show CelebAir followed the exploits of 11 “celebrities” (I have no idea who any of these people are) as they took on the duties of cabin crew and check-in counter staff for Monarch Airlines in the UK. In one memorable episode, two of the celebrities were sacked in a tense double elimination – they partied in Ibiza instead of crewing their return flight to London.
Sadly, CelebAir was cancelled after only one season.
Luton Airport (2005 – 2008)
Luton Airport lasted for 3 years, but it’s hard to find any info on this show besides its Wikipedia entry. No stills. No trailers. Neither fawning nor frowning reviews. Presumably there are average folks in extraordinary situations – like missing a flight, buying duty-free, or – wait for it — finding Luton airport parking. Now where have we seen that before?
Inside Gatwick (2011)
The latest player in the airport reality game is Inside Gatwick. (Click on the photo see the trailer on Sky’s website). Looks eerily similar to previous programs. Makes me wonder what’s next for the UK television market. Let me guess…Manchester Airport, with riveting scenes of passengers missing a flight, buying duty-free, or finding Manchester airport parking. If the formula works, why mess with it? It’s got to be better than CelebAir.
What airport reality shows do you watch? And did I miss any that you’d like to see on here?
America 
Canada 
Oman 
Great post! I loved the EasyJet series. The reruns are still on in the UK.
You see them from time to time here in Canada as well — depending on how much you spend on cable…
I don’t know about the others but the British ones were cringetastic at times!
It’s like a trailer park in the sky!
Oh my… had no idea so many of these existed. Now wondering if you shouldn’t get out even more! *laugh*
I didn’t know half of these existed either until I started researching. And yes, I think I do need to get out more…
i didn’t know that Pan Am is now airing… me, too! i live in Asia so new TV shows airing here are delayed.
I’ve only seen one episode, so am not sold on it yet.
None, but now, as you have educated me, I certainly will.
Time to fire up YouTube
Wow! Looks like British television is transfixed by really awful airline shows. At least they’re more limited in the U.S. So far, Pan Am is very enjoyable.
Wow I think I have never seen any of them! Didn’t know there are so many!
Yes. There’s way too much TV on TV.
haha. Wow, had no idea these shows were ever on the air.
Not so much about airports as plane travel, but have you seen Snakes on a Plane? B-grade at best but might appeal to your sense of humour…maybe? I laughed a lot.
Actually, I have not seen it. All I remember is that clip with “mutha@*&#*ing snakes on a mutha@*&#*ing plane!”
Looked like fun though.
It really is rather interesting how popular airport shows have become.
I have admittedly been watching Pan Am, as I am rather fond of the fictionalized historic adventure genre.
I also admittedly watch 2 episodes of Fly Girls and the descriptor for that one was definitely ‘trash’. Somewhat embarrassed that I actually watched 2 episodes in their entirety, but I was like a deer caught in the headlights.
Not quite an airport, but an airplane show I got into this past Spring was Dust Up on History Canada. Pretty cool industry, that we don’t typically think about. Am on the look out now for crop dusters whenever I am on the Prairies.
~ Emme
Thanks Emme. I’ll have to keep an eye out for Dust Up — I have not heard of it before.
Sadly I did not see Fly Girls either. I blinked and I missed it.
I must have been living in a hole because I have never heard of any of these.
Tsk, tsk. Hole-dweller!!
The only one I have watched was Airplane! Other than PanAm I have not heard of any others.
I’m not sure what it is about airport reality shows that makes them so popular — especially in the UK.
I have never heard of these either!! But Christina has been skinny for YEARS!!
Maybe I am the hole-dweller and not Stephanie.
I had no idea there were all these airport shows! Funny that most of them are in the UK! I have absolutely ZERO interest in Pan Am and the sexed up shows on TV these days but Airport actually looks interesting.
You can watch a lot of the Airport clips on YouTube. Why no Pan Am luv’ing?
I watched the first episode-and-a-half of Pan Am. It made me want to be a flight attendant. I can’t believe there are that many shows! I have only ever seen the one about Southwest. And, I used to LOVE it. Such trash!
It was SOOOO trashy. The UK ones are even worse.
I’ve been DVRing like a mad woman so it’s going to take me approximately the next year of my life to catch up on all my recorded TV when I return in December, and I’m most excited for Pan Am!
Sadly, it looks like it’s not doing so well in the ratings. It’s on opposite The Walking Dead. Damn you zombies!!
Wow! Quite the history lesson. We had no idea about the shows twists. Looks interesting.
Thanks,
Nancy & Shawn
I was actually surprised how good Pan Am was. I’m enjoying the show!
I’ve only seen one episode so far, and I’m going to give it a chance…
Man, I didn’t know about any of these, but they do sound interesting! Will check in youtube….
Get yourself a nice cup of tea, sit back, and have a trashy TV night…
The luster wore off of Pan Am real fast.
You no like?
I have to admit I’ve seen none of these. PanAm intrigues me slightly, but I really detest reality shows…
I only like reality shows that aren’t romance-based. These ‘fly-on-the-wall’ type shows are much more interesting to me. No challenges, no rose ceremony, no evictions. Just people doing their thing. Gives you an insight into the lives of everyday folks.
I had no idea there were any airport reality shows but now I have to see them. I’m a reality tv junkie!
Gentlemen, start your DVRs…
I haven’t heard of any of these, and I work in television! I do admit that I’m enjoying Pan Am–it’s my Sunday night guilty pleasure
Is it right up there with Desperate Housewives?
Haha! I gave up on Desperate Housewives years ago
I love the new show, Pan-Am. It has such good character development, which is not typical for shows made in the US. And it reminds us what we lost in air travel over the years. On the other hand, I dislike reality shows in general – such a waste of time. Thankfully, I never heard of any of these that you mentioned.
I have to admit I’m a sucker for reality TV sometimes. Only when it involves travel though.
Ooh! Pan-Am looks almost like it is shot like Mad Men. I admit, I’m kinda excited.
It does have that same feel about it. Mad Men is a little darker though, and Pan Am is focused more on sexism than Mad Men is…
I have never heard of any of these except Pan Am, that blows my mind. I love to watch the Amazing Race, so some reality tv interests me. I was surprised there were so many British airline shows.
Yes it seems the Brits love their airport shows…
A while back there was a reality show called LAX and it was kind of interesting to learn what people did there.
Of course it wasn’t scandalous so it was soon cancelled.
I’ll have to go some Googling — I’ve never heard of that one…
Wow! How could I NOT have seen any of these shows?!? The names don’t even sound familiar. I’ll check out Pan Am. The trailer is interesting!
Thanks for commenting Michaela — I see lots of TV watching in your future…
I didn’t know about the rest of these shows!!!! Pan Am is the first of its kind I’m watching!
You can’t leave out Wings . OK so it wasn’t a major airline but it predates all of this, starting in 1990.