Michael Orteig is the president of Oceanic Airlines, as revealed in statements released on the website Oceanic-air.com as well as Flyoceanicair.com, the latter being part of the second Lost alternate reality game Find 815. Because these websites are operated by ABC, and not by the creative authorities of Lost, the canonicity of this character is uncertain.
After 25 years of service, we are forced
to close our doors. Due to financial difficulties
in the wake of the Flight 815 tragedy, we are
no longer able to sustain service. We are deeply
sorry that we can no longer serve our loyal customers,
and apologize for any inconvenience our decision will cause.
”
Note: This press release pre-dated the first Lost alternate reality game, The Lost Experience, which was launched in May 2006.
The second press release (December 27, 2007)[]
“
We are very eager to resume flying and apologize for any
inconvenience our temporary closure may have caused our
loyal customers. Oceanic Airlines is proud to be a top
tier flight provider and looks forward to providing travelers
with many more years of unparalleled service.
”
Note: This press release was part of the launch of the second Lost alternate reality game, Find 815.
Trivia[]
Orteig's name is full of anagrams: [1] One of these is "magic hotelier," which may refer to Raymond Orteig, a hotel owner who in 1919 offered a $25,000 reward- the Orteig Prize- to the first allied aviator(s) to fly non-stop from New York City to Paris or vice-versa. In 1927 it was won by Charles Lindbergh (Amelia Earhart was the first woman to fly across the Atlantic, both as part of a group and on a solo flight.)
The legitimacy of Orteig's first statement was debunked when it was revealed that Oceanic Airlines was still operational in Jack's flashforward in "Through the Looking Glass, Part 1". This was remedied by the relaunch, as announced on December 27, 2007 on Flyoceanicair.com.
