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Trans World Airlines:
History |
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Like
the other major airlines of the United States, TWA traces its history back
to the airmail delivery companies of the 1920s. Most of these companies made
their money delivering mail, and in fact, usually incurred losses when
carrying passengers.
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One company that attempted to break into the
passenger market was Transcontinental Air Transport (TAT), formed on May 16,
1928, by a conglomerate of high-powered business interests under Clement M.
Keys, a Canadian-born businessman who had begun his career working for The
Wall Street Journal. Keys decided to offer a coast-to-coast service for
passengers that would combine both air and rail travel. Passengers taking
TAT would take a two-day journey across the country, riding Pullman railway
sleepers at night and flying Ford Trimotors during the day. Although Keys enlisted the help of famous
aviator Charles Lindbergh to draw attention to his plan, TAT eventually
lost money with its coast-to-coast service.
(more) |
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NEW:
GREAT NEW Video from Alex Verri called "Flying with
TWA 1992"
Great look back at the Flight Deck,
Cabin, Flight Attendants, and Ramp Action! Features the L1011 and 727!
Also from Alex Verri -- "JFK 1992"
Alex Verri is now a First Officer for
US Airways but worked for many years at TWA starting as a Ticket Agent.
Alex's mother retired this year as a career Flight Attendant with TWA based
at JFK and then American on furlough.
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NEW:
View the original
TWA.com website! |
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Trans World Airlines:
Milestones |
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TWA |
July
13, 1925 Western Air Express (WAE) is incorporated |
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TWA |
July 7,
1929 Transcontinental Air Transport (TAT) inaugurates coast-to-coast
air and rail service |
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TWA |
December, 1933 The only Douglas DC-1 ever built is delivered to TWA. |
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TWA |
December 6, 1935 First TWA "air hostesses" begin flying aboard the DC-2. |
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TWA |
1939-1940
Howard Hughes acquires control of TWA. |
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TWA |
1940 TWA
offers the first-ever in-flight audio entertainment, |
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TWA |
February
5, 1946 TWA begins transatlantic service with the Lockheed
Constellation |
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TWA |
July 19,
1961 TWA introduces in-flight motion pictures. |
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TWA |
February
25, 1970 TWA inaugurates Boeing 747 scheduled service nonstop from
Los Angeles to New York. |
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TWA |
October, 1995 TWA introduces a distinctive new aircraft livery. |
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TWA |
July 2000: TWA celebrates 75th Anniversary.
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(more) |
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