Burning Airlines was an American rock band from Washington, D.C., formed in 1997. J. Robbins and Bill Barbot of Jawbox formed the band with Peter Moffett (formerly of Government Issue and Wool). The band released two full-length albums, a self-titled 7", and split releases with At the Drive-In and Braid. Burning Airlines abruptly disbanded in 2002.
History
Robbins and Barbot had jammed with Moffett while their band Jawbox was still active, briefly considering him to fill in after drummer Zach Barocas' departure. Moffett had previously played in Government Issue alongside Robbins in the 1980s. However, the lineup of Robbins, Barbot, Moffett, and bassist Kim Coletta did not last, and Jawbox disbanded shortly after. Robbins, Barbot, and Moffett reconvened under the name Burning Airlines. The band's name was taken from a Brian Eno song, "Burning Airlines Give You So Much More", from his 1974 album Taking Tiger Mountain (By Strategy).
As Barbot was unwilling to tour as extensively as the rest of the band wanted, Barbot quit and was replaced by longtime friend and Jawbox roadie Mike Harbin (also formerly of Jack Potential and Admiral). This lineup toured extensively and recorded a second album, Identikit. It was released on DeSoto Records in 2001. Benjamin Pape (formerly of The Four Horsemen) was added as second guitarist and keyboardist.