21 Facts About Western Airlines

Western Airlines was a major airline based in California, operating in the western United States including Alaska and Hawaii, and western Canada, as well as to New York City, Boston, Washington, D C, and Miami and to Mexico, London and Nassau.

Western Airlines had hubs at Los Angeles International Airport, Salt Lake City International Airport, and the former Stapleton International Airport in Denver.

Western Airlines first incorporated in 1925 as Western Air Express by Harris Hanshue.

Western Airlines Air Express built and owned Vail Airport, Montebello from 1926 to 1930 and the Alhambra Airport from 1930 to 1931.

Western Airlines Air Express operated a seaplane route out of Hamilton Cove Seaplane Base on Catalina Island, California from 1928 to 1930.

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In 1934 Western Airlines Air Express was severed from TWA and changed its name to General Air Lines, returning to the name Western Airlines Air Express after several months.

In 1937 Western Airlines merged National Parks Airways, which extended its route north from Salt Lake to Great Falls, and, in 1941, across the border to Lethbridge, Alberta.

In 1946, Western Airlines was awarded a route from Los Angeles to Denver via Las Vegas, but in 1947 financial problems forced Western Airlines to sell the route, and Douglas DC-6 delivery positions, to United Air Lines.

In 1947 Western Airlines extended the left arm of the W north to Seattle, and added San Diego to Yuma for a few years; in 1950 it extended the middle of the W north to Edmonton.

In June 1960, Western Airlines introduced Boeing 707s between Los Angeles, San Francisco, Portland and Seattle.

In 1967 WAL acquired Pacific Northern Western Airlines based in Anchorage, Alaska, its main route being Anchorage-Seattle, which PNA served nonstop with Boeing 720s.

Western Airlines added Vancouver in 1967, and in 1969 it started flights from several California airports to Hawaii.

In 1969, Western Airlines opened negotiations to merge with American Airlines.

In spring 1987, shortly before Western Airlines was acquired by Delta Air Lines, the airline had two hubs, a major operation in Salt Lake City and a small hub in Los Angeles.

At its peak in the 1970s and 1980s, Western Airlines flew to cities across the western United States, and to Mexico, Alaska, Hawaii, and Canada .

In 1986, Western entered into a code sharing agreement with SkyWest Airlines, a commuter airline.

All of Western Airlines's aircraft were repainted in Delta's livery, including ten McDonnell Douglas DC-10s.

Western Airlines was famous for its "Flying W" corporate identity and aircraft livery.

Western Airlines was a favorite first class carrier for Hollywood movie stars and frequently featured them in their on board magazine, "Western's World".

Western Airlines had a famous flyer out of Seattle: Captain "Red" Dodge.

Western Airlines used a variety of piston-powered airliners including Boeing 247Ds, Convair 240s, Douglas DC-3s, DC-4s, DC-6Bs and L-749 Constellations.