note
Founded by Harris Hanshue as Western Air Express in Burbank California. It commenced air mail service on Salt Lake City - Los Angeles route. In April 1926 WEA started to carry passengers on their mail flights. In 1930 Western Air Express merged with Transcontinental Air Transport to form Transcontinental and Western Airlines TWA. Western Air Express continue to operate its original mail route and became independent again in 1934 when it was organized as a new corporation. Technically it is now different airline. Airline adopted name Western Airlines in July 1941. In 1944 Western bought controlling shares in Casper Wyoming based Inland Air Lines. Inland operated under its brand until April 1952 when it was fully absorbed by Western. Western Airlines began international service with a DC-6 flights to Mexico City from Los Angeles. In August 1959 Western's first turboprop aircraft a Lockheed L-188 Electra is introduced. In May 1961 first jet, a Boeing 720, joined the fleet. In 1970 Western almost merged with Continental Air Lines, however airlines could not agree on the name of new entity and merger was called off.In April 1973 first wide-body aircraft, a DC-10-10, was delivered. Airline expanded to Hawaii and Alaska. In 1981 Western inaugurated trans-continental service from Honolulu-Anchorage-London Gatwick but after few months switched it to Denver-London Gatwick. This service was also not successful and was discontinued in 1982. At the time of its acquisition by Delta Air Lines, Western operated an extensive domestic network throughout western USA, Hawaii, Canada and Mexico as well as key destinations in the East Chicago, Washington DC, Newark and Boston.
founded - demised (age)
July 13 1925 - April 1 1987 (62)
headquarters
, Los Angeles, CA
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base airports
related operators
current /stored fleet (0)
