1924-1948
ABA was established on 27 March 1924 under the name AB Aerotransport. Needing more funds, it became government-owned in 1935. ABA was merged with Swedish Intercontinental Airlines (SILA) in 1948.

In my collection:
ABA
Airports Sweden

1948-1999
Created by the Spaninsh government in 1948 to cover the domestic needs of Spain. Worked very much as a sister company to Iberia. Over time Iberia took control over Aviaco, and 1999 Iberia was sole owner and Aviaco was completely integrated into Iberia.

In my collection:
Caravelles

1923-present
Founded in November 1923 as Aero OY.
In 1924 Junker float planes introduced the Helsinki-Stockholm route. In 1937 land planes were introduced. 1953 the name Finnair was adopted. Finnairs international focus have become Asia. They market themselves as the shortest route between Europe and Asia.

In my collection:
Caravelles
Convairs 240/340/440
Airports Finland

1946-2021
Founded September 16 1946 as
Alitalia - Linee Aeree Italiane

Ceased operations October 15 2021.
All assets transfered to
ITA Airways
(ITA Italia Transporto Aereo S.p.A.)

In my collection:
Caravelles
DC-6s
DC-7s
Airports Italy

1939-1974
BOAC was formed by the British government 1939 when they merged Imperial Airways and British Airways Ltd. In 1946 BOAC was split by the government into three airlines, namely: BOAC (Overseas exept SA), BEA (European) and British South American Airways (ceased operations 1949). 1974 the British government decided to join BOAC and BEA to form British Airways.

In my collection:
B377s - Stratocruiser
B707s
Comets
Connies
DC-3s
Aircraft Cutaways
Aircraft Interiors
Airline Menus
Airline Passengers
Several Airport pages

1946-1974
BEA started as the European division of United Kingdom's flag carrier BOAC. 1947 when the British government nationalized the airline industry, all independent airlines in Britain became part of BEA.
1974 the British government decided to join BOAC and BEA to form British Airways (BA).

In my collection:
Comets
DC-3s
Vikings
Viscounts
Flight Reports
Several Airport pages

1946-2005
Braathens S.A.F.E. has taken its name from its founder Ludwig Braathens (Norwegian ocean shipping magnate) and acronym South America and Far East indicating as the focus in the early days were cargo operations to these areas. Became almost a flag carrier in Norway. 1998 Braathens aquired Transwede and formed Braathen Sverige. Became fully integrated 2005 in SAS Braathens.

In my collection:
DC-6
Airports Svalbard

1961-2005
Founded November 1, 1961 as Euravia.

1964 Euravia was rebranded as
Britannia Airways

Britannia was originally a charter operator for Universal Sky Tours and later for Thomson holidays. In 2000, Thomson Travel Group were acquired by TUI Group of Germany. As part of a wider reorganisation 2004, Britannia was rebranded as Thomsonfly.

In my collection:
B707
Passengers

1961-present
Germany's leading charter airline was formed when Lufthansa took over two merged airlines Deutsche Flugdienst and Condor Luftreederei. Condor growed rapidly during the 1960s and 70s. The airline was briefly rebranded as Thomas Cook powered by Condor in mid-2002, but returned to the Condor brand in January 2004.

In my collection:
Vickers

1937-present
Founded 1937 as Flugfelag Akureyrar. In 1956 the company adopted the name Flugfélag Íslands or Icelandair. Icelandair merged with Loftleidir Icelandic in 1979.

In my collection:
DC-4
Airline Staff

1978-1986
Operations started in September 1978. After reorganisation it became Germania Fluggesellschaft (ST) in 1986

In my collection:
Caravelles

1927-present
JAT traces its heritage back to 1927 when Aeroput, the first civil airline in Yugoslavia was founded. JAT Yugoslav Airlines was launched on 1 April 1947 and replaced Aeroput in 1948. After the Balcan wars the airline was rebranded as JAT Airways and 2013 it was renamed to Air Serbia.

In my collection:
B707s
Caravelles

1950-1996
Scheduled airline founded 1950 by Karhumäki Oy, an aircraft manufacturer owned by Niilo and Valto Karhumäki. In 1957 company was renamed Kar-Air. Finnair became its majority shareholder in 1963. Its operations were merged into Finnair in 1996.

In my collection:
CV440s
Airline Flight Reports

1957-1993
Linjeflyg was founded by SAS, Stockholms-Tidningen AB and Dagens Nyheter AB (Aerotransport AB). SAS held 50% stake in the airline thoughout most of its existence. In 1992 SAS purchased the remaining shares and integrated Linjeflyg into its brand.

In my collection:
Famgus Aviation Linjeflyg

1926-present
When Deutscher Aero Lloyd and Junkers Luftwerkehr merged in 1926, Deutsche Luft Hansa was created. The airline stopped to operate immediately after the defeat of Germany in WWII. In 1953 Luftag, a new airline was formed. The same year the company adopted the present title Deutsche Lufthansa AG.

In my collection:
B707s
B727s
Connies
Viscounts
Airline Staff

1944-1979
Loftleidir Icelandic was founded in 1944. In 1973 a holding company called Loftleidir was formed and both Loftleidir Icelandic and Icleandair became its subsidiaries. Both companies continued to operate as separate entities until 1979 when Icelandair brand was adopted for both operators.

In my collection:
DC-4s
DC-6s
DC-8s
Airline Destinations
Airline Staff

1928-present
Founded 1928, national airline of Poland 1930. Before WWII LOT operated DC-2s, Junkers, Fokkers and Lockheed Electras L10 & L14. AFter the war Ilyushin and Topolev aircarfts made up the majority of the fleet. During the 1990s ATR and Boeing aircrafts replaced the older fleet.

In my collection:
Airline Routes
Airline Staff

1962-1993
Founded 1962 by travel agency Tjæreborg. Started with ex Swissair DC-6 aircrafts. Becamed eventually the second largest user of Caravelle aircrafts. Sterling ran into financial difficulties late 1980s and was bankrupt by 1993.

In my collection:
Caravelles
DC6s

1964-1993
Founded as Consolidated Aircraft Corporation to take over another charter operator (Enterprise AS). Conair belonged to the Spies group, a travel agency. Bought by Scandinavian Leisure Group thus merging Scanair and Conair into Premiair.

In my collection:
B707s
Airports Canary Islands

1928-1939, 1959-1989
Operated between 1928 and 1939 as subsidiary of Ala Littoria and between 1959 and 1981 as subsidiary of Alitalia. During the Alitalia period it operated IT flights, local cargo and secondary domestic passenger services on behalf of Alitalia. SAM ceased operations at the end of 1976 and was put on liquidation on 1981.

In my collection:
Caravelles
DC-6s

1966-1998
Charter airline founded 1966 by Air France as its wholly owned subsidiary. ACI operated charters primarily to Mediterranean resorts from points in France, but also undertook scheduled operations for Air France and Air Inter which in 1981 became minority stake holder. ACI was dissolved 1998 when Air France and Air Inter merged.

In my collection:
B727s

1931-2002
The airline was formed when Basler Luftverkehr (Balair) and Astra Aero AG merged in 1931. Europe was serviced before WWII by DC-2 och DC-3. After the war oversea routes started using DC-4s. Used B747 and DC-10 extensively during the jet age. Considered one of the elite airlines. However, due financial problems after the 9/11 attacks, the airline has to cease operations. A new company called Swiss International Airlines took over 2002.

In my collection:
Caravelles
Convair Coronados
DC-2s
DC-3s
DC-4-1009s
DC-6s
DC-7s
DC-8s
Airline Interiors
Airports Switzerland
Swissair Fleet List

1951-1981
The airline was founded 1951 as a mail cargo airline. 1953 the first DC-3s joined the fleet and the company strated holiday charter. 1960, the first DC-6, used SAS aircrafts, joined the fleet. They were replaced 1964 by DC-7s. In 1967 the first Boeing 727 was added. SAS became the owner 1974. TSA was in fact operating together with Scanair 1968 to 1981 when operations were ceased.

In my collection:
B727s
DC-6s
DC-7s
Airports Sweden

1946-1963
T.A.I. was a private French airline, based at Orly Airport, Paris. In 1963, it was merged with Union Aéromaritime de Transport to form UTA French Airlines.

In my collection:
DC-6s
Airports France

1946-present
The airline was established as Transportes Aéreos Portugueses (Portuguese Air Transportations) on 14 March 1945, first flight was 1946. In 1967, the airline became the first in Europe to exclusively operate jets. By the late 1990s TAP become an Airbus-only operator.

In my collection:
B727s
Caravelles
Airports Germany
Airports Madeira

1946-present
Founded 1946 as Compagnie Générale de Transports Aériens (CGTA). 1953 CGTA merged with CAT (Compagnie Air Transport; Had scheduled service between cities in Algeria, France and Switzerland) to become Air Algerie. After Algerian independance (1962) the Algerian government took a controlling role in the aireline, which eventually became 100% state owned.

Route network:
Domestic, Africa, Western Europe and some other cities (also overseas).

In my collection:
Connies
Caravelles
Airports Algeria

1953-present
National airline of Morocco founded as CCTA 1953 when Societte Air Atlas and Avia Maroc Aerienne merged. The airline changed its name to Royal Air Maroc in June 1957 when Morocco became an independent nation.

Route network:
Domestic, Western Africa, Western Europe and New York and Montreal in North America..

In my collection:
B707
Caravelles

1967-present
Founded June 14 1967 as
Air Mauritius

Route network:
Primarily major cities in Southern Africa, Western Europe, Southeast Asia and Australia.

In my collection:
B707s
Airports Mauritius

1946-present
Founded by former South African WWII pilots. Have grown steadily. Based in Johannesburg. Comair is since 1996 a British Airways franchisee.

Route network:
Regional operator in Southern Africa.

In my collection:
Airline Staff

1948-present
The national airline of Tunisia was formed 1948 as joint-venture between Tunisian Government and Air France.
With increase of tourism the traffic have increased tremendously.

Route network:
Europe, Africa and Middle East.

In my collection:
Caravelles

1967-present
Founded September 1st 1967 when the government created Air Rhodesia Corporation following the dissolvment of CAAC (Central African Airways Corp.).
Air Rhodesia became Air Zimbabwe when the republic of Zimbabwe was formed.
Since 2004 the company is in severe economic difficulties. The airline is also currently banned from EU due to a non-compliance to the safety standards.

Route network:
Primarily domestic and regional traffic. Earlier also at times to London and Frankfurt.

In my collection:
B707s

1950-1960
The airline was founded by by H.E. Ismail Bilbeisi Pasha in 1950. In 1953 TALOA of Oakland CA became majority stakeholder. Air Jordan later (1958) merged with Arab Airlines and changed name to Air Jordan of the Holy Land.
The company went bancrupt in 1960 and ceased its operations.

In my collection:
Convair 240/340/440
Airports Lebanon

1932-present
First called Tata Air Line (after one of its founders) Air India made its maiden flight in October 1932 to Karachi from Madras. Air India has concentrated on their international passenger as well as cargo operations for most of the time. In 2011 they merged with the domestic operator Indian Airlines and its regional subsidiary Alliance Airways. Today is Air India a full service airline with both domestic and international traffic.

In my collection:
B707
Connies
Airports Germany

1946-present
Founded 1946 by two businessmen from Australia and US. Begun with cargo flights. Took over Hong Kong Airways 1959 and their Viscounts. Flew only the Tristar and B707 during the 1980s.
Have renewed the long-haul fleet with A330/340 and B777s.

In my collection:
B707
Lockheed Electra L-188
Airline Interiors
Airline Staff

1949-present
Arkia was founded in 1949 as Eilat Airlines with the help of El Al. Its name has changed into Aviron and Israel Inland Airlines later. Since 2007, Arkia operates some scheduled passenger service previously handled by Israel's national airline El Al.

In my collection:
Viscounts

1951-present
JAL was founded in 1951. It started domestically, but already 1953/1954 overseas service started. Jet operations were inaugerated 1960 between Tokyo and SF. The same route, the same flight nbr exists still today (JL001/002). 2001 JAL merged with JAS, the largest domestic operator.

In my collection:
Airline Interiors
Airline Staff
Airports Japan

1953-present
The airline was founded 1953 as Kuwait National Airways. In 1955 the name was changed to Kuwait Airways. Became a state owned airline in the beginning of the 1960s. Kuwait Airways suffered a great setback duing the Gulf War in the beginning on the 1990s. The company have now gradually regained strength.

In my collection:
B707s

1945-present
Founded in 1945, firstservice 1946 between Beirut and Bagdad. Pan Am had a minority share 1953-55 and provided support. When Pan Am sold BOAC bought MEA and was an owner between 1955-1961. MEAs operations were greatly reduced between 1975 and 1990. Most of its fleet was either leased out, damaged by shelling of Beirut airport or sold. Have had financial difficulties since those years and have gone through major restructuring.

In my collection:
Caravelles
Comet
Airports Lebanon

1952-present
The airline was founded 1952 as Nippon Helicopter & Aeroplane Transports Company. 1957 (after a merge with Far East Airlines FEA) it changed its name to what is known today. Over the years ANA transformed itself from primarily domestic airline to one of the top 10 international carriers in the world.

In my collection:
Staff

1958-present
Founded in 1958 as Royal Nepal Airline Corporation (RNAC). The airline dropped the Royal title from its name after the Nepal ousted its Royal family in 2005. Have had financial difficulties the last 10 years.

In my collection:
Airports Nepal

1959-present
Joint venture of Thai Government, Thai Airways and SAS Scandinavian Airlines System. The airline was set up to separate Thai Airways international and domestic operations. The airline has become third largest in southeast Asia.
Merged with Thai Airways 1988.

In my collection:
DC6s

1945-1950
Founded July 5 1945 when American Export Airlines were aquired by American Airlines. The AEA name was used up until November 1945 when AEA was renamed American Overseas Airlines.

AOA was aquired by Pan American in 1950.

In my collection:
B377s
DC-4s
Airports USA

1936-present
Founded April 14 1936 as McGee Airways. McGee Airways was 1934 aquired by Star Air Services. In 1942, after three smaller airlines were bought, the name changed to Alaska Star Airlines. The name Alaska Airlines was adopted on May 2, 1944.

In my collection:
B727s
Airports USA

1948-1961
You can trace the airline back to 1926 (Clifford Ball Airlines->Pennsylvania Airlines -> Pennsylvania Central Airlines). The name Capital Air Lines was adopted 1948 because of the successful route Pittsburg-Washington. Capital Airlines faces economical difficulties towards the end of the 1950s, and was aquired by United Airlines 1961.

In my collection:
Vickers
Airports USA

1934-2012
Founded 1934 as Varney Speed Lines. 1937 the airline was renamed to Continental Air Lines (later Airlines). 1981 a holding company, Texas Air Corporartion, took over Continental and merged the company with Texas International Airlines (with Continental identity intact). Continental grew into one of USA's largest carriers despite facing financial and labor issues, eventually becoming one of the more successful airlines in the United States. Merged with United completed 2012.

In my collection:
Aircraft Interiors
Airports USA

1934-present
Following the Air Mail Act of 1934, Delta Air Corporation was founded. In 1945 the name was changed to Delta Air Lines. Delta gre steadily to become one of the world's largest airlines. Over the years they aquired Chicago & Southern (1953), merged with Northest (1972), Western (1987). In 1991 Delta acquired several assets of bankrupt Pan Am, including the European routes. Finally in 2008 Northwest was aquired.

In my collection:
DC-4s
DC-7s
Airports USA

1926-1991
Founded 1926 as Pitcairn Airlines. Pitcairn merged with Florida Air Ways 1930 resulting in the new name Eastern Air Transport. They aquired Colonial Airlines 1956. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, during the deregulation, labor disputes and high debt loads strained the company. Texas Air aquired Eastern 1985. After continued labor disputes and a crippling strike in 1989, Eastern ran out of money and was liquidated in 1991.

In my collection:
Connies
DC-3s
DC-4s
DC-7s
Airline menus
Airline routes
Airline staff
Airports USA

1946-1986
Formed as Monarch Airlines in 1946. In 1949 Monarch acquired Challenger Airlines, and in April 1950 Arizona Airlines was aquired. The name was then changed to Frontier Airlines. Frontier acquired Central Airlines in October 1967. In October 1985 People Express acquired Frontier. Continuing losses, however, lead to shut down of all operations on August 24th 1986.

In my collection:
DC-3s
Airports USA

1945-1972
Founded 1945 as Robinson Airlines. When a new owner purchased the company 1956 the name was changed to Mohawk Airlines. Jet service commenced in 1965 with BAC-111s.
Mohawk Airlines was acquired by Allegheny Airlines in 1972.

In my collection:
This page is the only place you will see this postcard on my site. Simply because I have only this postcard from Mohawk in my collection!

1944-1979
Founded 1944 as Wisconsin Central Airlines. In 1952 when the company hq moved to Minneapolis the name was changed to North Central Airlines. In July 1979 the airline merged with another regional carrier, Southern Airways, to become Republic Airlines.

In my collection:
Convair CVs
Airports USA

1933-1972
Founded 1933 as a subsidiary of Boston and Maine Railway Company and was called Boston-Maine Airways. From 1940 named as Northeast Airlines. In 1965 Storer Broadcasting Company purchased Northeast Airlines and introduced the "Yellowbird" corporate identity.
Northeast was aquired by Delta Air Lines in 1972.

In my collection:
Convair CVs
Airports USA

1945-1967
Airline founded as Woodley Airways. Art Woodley was awarded the AM route from Anchorage to Juneau in June 1945. The name was changed to Pacific Northern Airlines 1947. PNA was acquired by Western Airlines 1967.

In my collection:
Connies
Airports USA

1928-1967
Founded in September 1928 as a joint venture between Pan American and W. R. Grace and Company.

On March 17 1966 Panagra was acquired by Braniff which purchased Pan American's 50% stake in the airline. The roues and aircrafts were integrated into Braniff by February 1967.

In my collection:
DC-8s

1937-1965
TCA was created 1937 by the Crown Corporation Canadian National Railway (CNR). An air-mail contract with Canada Post was one of the methods by which TCA was financed. The creation of TCA was partly by CNR management who wanted to expand the company into the new field of passenger aviation, and was partly by government direction. Prior to TCA, no large national airline existed in Canada. In 1964 the name was changed to "Air Canada", effective 1 January 1965.

In my collection:
Viscounts
Connies
Airports Canada

1930-2001
TWA dates from July 16, 1930, and the forced merger of Transcontinental Air Transport (TAT), Western Air Express (WAE), Maddux Air Lines, Standard, and Pittsburgh Aviation Industries Corporation (PAIC) to form Transcontinental & Western Air (T&WA) on October 1st 1930.

In 1950 the company officially changed its name to TWA Trans World Airlines.

TWA was aquired by American Airlines in December 2001. It was then bankrupt.

In my collection:
B307
B707
Connies
DC-3s
Airports USA

1925-1987
Founded 1926 as Western Air Express. They were awarded the mail route CAM-4 from Salt Lake City to Los Angeles. For some years during the 1920s and 30s they were part of Transcontinental & Western Air (later TWA). 1934 they left TWA and became General Air Lines, and a few months later they wer again Western Air Express. In 1941 Western Air Express changed its name to Western Air Lines and later to Western Airlines.

Western Airlines was merged with Delta Airlines in December 1987.

In my collection:
B707
Convair CVs
Airports USA

1946-1989
Founded 1946 to provide air taxi service in Yellowknife, Northwestern Territories. Wardair entered transatlantic leisure charter service in 1962. At some point during the 1980s, the company also had scheduled transatlantic services.

Finally in 1989, financially troubled carrier was acquired by Canadian Airlines International.

In my collection:
Staff

1968-2015
The airline was founded in October 1968 owned by Jamaican government and Air Canada (40%). Air Canada dropped out around 1980. In 1994 the company was partially sold to private investors, but in 2004 the Jamaican government was the 100% owner again. In 2010 the company was aquired by Caribbean Airlines, and in 2015 all Air Jamaica activities were ceased.

In my collection:
Airline staff

1949-today
In May 1949 a state-owned company was founded from three unprofitable existing airlines (ALFA, FAMA and ZONDA). In 1990 a private consortium led by Iberia bought 85% of the shares. The airline was taken back in state control in July 2008.

In my collection:
Comets
Airports Argentina
Airports Italy

1919-today
Second oldest operating airline in the world! Founded as a joint enterprise of Colombina Germans and local businessmen. The original title was Sociedad Colombo-Alemana de Transportes Aereos. 1940 SCADTA was merged with the local airline SACO and AVIANCA was formed.

In my collection:
B707
Connies
Airports Colombia

1935-today
The airline was named Línea Aeropostal Venezolana (LAV) 1935. It can trace its roots back to 1927. In 1958 LAV absorbed another international airline in Venezuela - TACA de Venezuela. In the early 1960s, the Venezuelan government separated LAV's international and domestic routes, creating a new airline, Viasa, for international flights. From the early 1990s the company faced severe financial difficulties. A name change to just Aeropostal did not help.

In my collection:
Connies

1930-1965
Formed when separated from Pan American's NYRBA subsidiary. Partially nationalized in 1948 and became fully owned by Brazilian interest in 1961. Its certification was though revoked in favour of Varig in 1965.

In my collection:
Connies
Airports Brazil
Airports Portugal
Airports Switzerland
Airline Staff

1927-2006
Operations commenced 1927 using Dornier Wal flying boats. 1961 REAL was aquired. In 1965 Panair do Brasil was closed by the government and its long haul lines were handed over to VARIG. In 1975 Cruzeiro do Sul was aquired. The company ran into financial difficulties in the early years of 2000s, and finally went bankrupt in 2006.

In my collection:
Connies

1945-1961
REAL was founded by two former TACA pilots in 1945. Bought several other airline companies during its life time. Flew mostly regional but opened up international flights with Constellations to compete with Varig. Finally bought by Varig in 1961.

In my collection:
Connies

1954-1995
The airline was founded in 1954 as Mount Cook Air Service providing sightseeing tours, skiers drop off etc. in New Zealand's Mount Cook National Park. They started commercial service in 1961 with DC-3s. Air New Zealand became majority owner 1985 and sole owner 1991. The airline operates as Air New Zealand Link since 1995.

In my collection:
Airports New Zealand

1965-present
The airline was founded in March 1940 as TEAL by the governments of Australia, New Zealand and United Kingdom.In April 1965 Air New Zealand started to be used as name. In 1978 ANZ merged with the national operator NAC (National Airways Corp). In 1989 ANZ was privatized.

In my collection:
DC8s
Electras
Airports New Zealand

1920-present
The airline was founded in 1920 as National airline of Australia was formed as Queensland And Northern Territory Air Service. In 1934 the name was changed to QANTAS Empire Airways as international service to Singapore begun. In 1967 the name Qantas Airways started to be used. Australia's only international airline.

In my collection:
B707s
Connies
Electras
Airports Australia

1940-1965
The airline was founded in March 1940 as TEAL by the governments of Australia, New Zealand and United Kingdom. In 1953 UK government sold its share to Australia, and in 1961 Australia sold all their shares to the NZ government. In April 1965 Air New Zealand started to be used as name.

In my collection:
DC6s
Airports Fiji
Curteich