One startup airline converted a commercial jet into a flying church and almost made an actual business with it.
Despite a strong interest from investors, the airline had a fleet of only one plane, which never flew. Was the concept too demanding or ambitious at the time? Here’s how The Lord’s Airline almost became a reality.
A Church in the Sky?
The Lord’s Airline was founded in 1985 by New Jersey entrepreneur and born-again Christian Ari Marshall. A gimmick such as this would pander to Christian and Jewish tourists that would fly overseas to Israel.
Marshall explained the concept to United Press International in November 1985:
“The theme is a Judeo-Christian atmosphere. The airplanes will have a biblical theme, with Bibles for the Christians and Torahs for the Jewish passengers.”
In a separate interview with Reuters, Marshall asked why the Lord couldn’t have an airline if Playboy did.
Marshall acquired an ex-Air Canada Douglas DC-8-52 (registration number N893AF) to serve as the airline’s first and likely only aircraft. Delivered new to Spanish flag carrier Iberia in 1961, Marshall’s 189-seat DC-8 was reportedly not only stocked with Bibles and Torahs but the whole cabin was modified to resemble a synagogue. A plaque with the Ten Commandments was also said to be displayed in the back of the cabin.
The flying church was reportedly going to offer in-flight sermons and Sunday School activities for kids. The airline would also show religious movies but prohibit the use of alcohol.
Marshall proposed flying thrice weekly from Miami International Airport (MIA) in Florida to Ben Gurion International Airport (TLV) in Israel, via Luxembourg. An optional connecting flight to Jerusalem, 30 miles away, would also have been available.
Marshall raised $3 million for his holy venture from private sources, according to news reports at the time. He believed the demand for such a business existed, and vowed to donate any profits (he anticipated a $60 million profit in the first year) to charity, saying proceeds would go to “food for the hungry” and to “take care of the poor.”
Saints Turned Sinners
According to CNN, the aircraft never received approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) because of the unorthodox interior modifications. The lack of certification left the airline with no business and an aircraft sitting at Miami Airport without any engines.
In 1987, the Lord’s Airline’s investors ran out of patience and voted to remove Marshall from the board of directors. Theodore Lyszczasz, one of Marshall’s business partners, was subsequently placed at the helm. Lyszczasz reportedly had a different vision for the airline (and was likely eager to get the aircraft approved).
Following Marshall’s removal from the board of directors, he showed hostility towards Lyszczasz to reporters, calling him a ‘power-hungry leader’ and comparing him to Jim Jones of the People’s Temple, the cult that poisoned over 900 people to death in 1978.
Lyszczasz retaliated with interviews of his own. He called Marshall ‘one of the most professional con artists we’ve ever seen’ and suggested he was doing the ‘work of the devil.’
The fate of the Lord’s Airline eventually came to a bitter end. One day, Lyszczasz showed up at Marshall’s house with his brother and one of his friends, demanding corporate documents. This unannounced visit allegedly led to a physical altercation in which police got involved. Following a legal battle for trespassing, this was the last known update of the Lord’s Airline–the flying church that never was.
The DC-8 remained dormant at Miami airport for years before being acquired for cheap by Florida flight academy Holiday Airways.
Credit: avgeekery.com
