Airshop B.V.
Tower Air was a U.S. scheduled and charter airline known for operating an all-Boeing 747 fleet on international routes, despite the supplied record listing Airshop B. V.
About Airshop B.V.
Tower Air was an American airline founded in 1982 by aviation entrepreneur Morris Nachtomi. It began operations the following year and developed a distinctive identity around low-fare, high-capacity Boeing 747 services. Although the supplied data associates the carrier with Airshop B.V. in the Netherlands, the IATA code FF, ICAO code TOW and towerair.com domain historically belonged to the New York-based Tower Air. The airline ceased operations and entered bankruptcy in 2000, so it no longer sells or operates flights.
John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York was Tower Air's principal operating base and the center of its scheduled network. Its routes connected New York with major cities in the United States, Europe and the Middle East, while charter flying extended its reach beyond the regular timetable. Tel Aviv was especially important to the airline, alongside transatlantic services to European cities and domestic links serving markets such as Miami and Los Angeles. Routes and frequencies changed considerably during its operating life.
Tower Air was closely identified with the Boeing 747, using several variants of the wide-body aircraft rather than maintaining a diversified fleet. The 747 provided substantial capacity for scheduled passenger services, charter programs and government-related transport. Cabins were configured primarily around economy travel, with premium seating offered on some services and during some periods. The onboard product was generally functional and price-focused, reflecting the carrier's emphasis on affordable long-haul transportation rather than luxury service.
The airline was not a member of Star Alliance, SkyTeam or Oneworld. It also did not leave behind a widely recognized frequent-flyer program comparable with those of larger international network carriers. Any historical loyalty arrangements, ticket credits or travel documents are no longer usable because Tower Air stopped operating in 2000. Travellers researching the FF designator should note that airline codes can be reassigned or retained in historical databases after a carrier disappears.
Tower Air's main strength was its ability to offer direct, competitively priced travel on selected long-haul markets using spacious wide-body aircraft. Its reliance on an aging, all-747 fleet also created operational and financial challenges, particularly when disruptions affected aircraft availability. Service quality and reliability attracted criticism during the airline's later years. Today, references to Tower Air are of historical interest only, and any website, booking page or directory suggesting that it currently operates scheduled flights should be independently verified.
Good to know
Flying with Airshop B.V. — what to expect
No Current Flights
Tower Air ceased operations in 2000 and cannot be booked for present-day travel. Search results using its former FF code may refer to historical records or another carrier.
Database Identity Mismatch
The supplied Netherlands and Airshop B.V. details conflict with the documented identity of the U.S.-based Tower Air associated with codes FF and TOW. Confirm the operating carrier before relying on any directory listing.
Historic 747 Operator
Tower Air operated Boeing 747 aircraft on scheduled and charter services. Its former fleet and cabin information should not be treated as relevant to any current booking.
Tickets No Longer Valid
Historical Tower Air tickets, vouchers and credits have no current travel value. The airline's bankruptcy and closure mean there is no active customer-service channel for old reservations.
Verify Old Websites
The towerair.com address is a historical reference and should not be assumed to represent an operating airline. Avoid submitting payment or personal information without verifying the site's present owner and purpose.
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FAQ
Airshop B.V. — frequently asked questions
Quick answers to the details travellers usually check first, from codes and locations to the practical basics that help with planning.
8 common questions
- Tower Air has no current carry-on allowance because it no longer operates. Travellers encountering the FF code on a modern itinerary should follow the baggage rules of the airline actually operating the flight.
- Tower Air's principal hub was John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York. The airline ceased operations in 2000, so it has no current hub.
- Originfacts compares live fares from hundreds of airlines and travel agencies via its partner Travelpayouts and never adds a fee. Because Tower Air is defunct, searches should return available alternatives from operating airlines rather than Tower Air flights.
- There are no current Tower Air departures. Historically, New York John F. Kennedy was its dominant departure airport, with other U.S. operations including Miami and Los Angeles during parts of its history.
- Tower Air tickets are no longer sold. For alternative transatlantic or Middle Eastern flights, fares are often lower outside peak holiday periods and when booked flexibly across several dates.
- Tower Air currently serves zero destinations because it ceased operations in 2000. Its historical network varied by year and included both scheduled and charter destinations, so a single total can be misleading.
- Tower Air no longer flies anywhere. Historically, it linked New York with destinations in the United States, Europe and the Middle East, including important services to Tel Aviv.
- Tower Air no longer operates routes. Historically, New York to Tel Aviv was among its most significant and longest scheduled services, although its charter network and timetable changed over time.