Western Airlines

Western Air Express flew its first flight in a Douglas M-2 airplane, April 1926. It was awarded the US Postal Service contract to fly the mail from Salt Lake City to Los Angeles. In 1928, the Guggenheim Foundation chose Western to set up a model airway between Los Angeles and San Francisco. They purchased 3, Fokker F-10 Trimoters with comfortable wicker chairs and provided meal service to passengers. Western developed the first air-to-ground radio, in cooperation with Thorpe Hiscock of Boeing, in 1929. They also introduced the Fokker F-32 aircraft to commercial airline operation. In 1930 it merged with Transcontinental Air to form Transworld Airlines (TWA). Western Air Transport broke off in 1934 and changed its name to General Air. In 1941 it changed its name again to Western Airlines and in 1987 was bought by Delta Airlines.

From the description of Western Airlines photograph collection [graphic], ca. 1926-1969. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 61200094