The growth of the oldest U.S. Trunk or Mainline air carriers after 1945 drives demand for air travel, and new, larger airliners to meet that need.

But as the airlines and their aircraft grow, many smaller U.S. cities are in danger of losing their air service because they don't generate enough passenger volume to match the larger and costlier airliners coming on line.

The solution is a new category of airline - the Local Service Carriers - licensed by the federal government in the late '40s, and assigned to strictly controlled geographic areas to provide reliable air service for hundreds of small airports.

Join me for this look at those special airlines, the role they played in the U.S. air transportation system, and the impacts still seen today from their operations.

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In some of the largest U.S. urban areas, road traffic congestion can be one of the biggest challenges to moving between the downtown area and the airport.

Imagine, though, being able to get from Manhattan to La Guardia Airport in New York in just 6 minutes, or from Oakland to the San Francisco Airport in 7 minutes.

For many years, scheduled service helicopter airlines made fast airport travel times like those possible, but they’ve all failed to stay in business.

Join me for their story, and a look at what may be ahead for close-in urban air service.

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During some of the most exciting developments and innovation in a young and emerging U.S. airline industry - from the 1930s through the late 1950s - two of the most sought-after airline career paths are unavailable to black Americans.

They’re denied positions as airline pilots or flight attendants, no matter what their relevant experience or technical qualifications. With this Airline Time Machine podcast, let’s look at how the first Black stewardess in the U.S. changed that narrative, and what it took for her to break through that highly visible barrier in our airline history.

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