Boeing 727-91 N502MG (c/n 19391) first flew on August 25, 1966 and started life with Denverbased Frontier Airlines
DAVID RANSTED COLLECTION
The 1980s zeitgeist of excess, conspicuous consumption and a burgeoning celebrity culture proved a nucleus for a new niche carrier. It was the brainchild of the resorts, entertainment and hospitality empire of MGM Grand Inc., headed by entrepreneur Kirk Kerkorian. The businessman had acquired a controlling stake in the MGM film studio and had previous airline industry experience.
Kerkorian had aviation in his blood. He learned to fly in the 1930s and, during World War Two, flew Canadian-built de Havilland Mosquitos across the North Atlantic for the Royal Air Force. After building a successful business buying and selling military aircraft, in 1947 Kerkorian acquired Trans International Airlines (TIA) before selling it in 1967 for $90m. He then purchased a 17% stake in Los Angeles-based Western Airlines, which he retained until 1976.