Bonanza Airlines begins operations in Las Vegas, Nev., with a single-engine Cessna aircraft. Northwest adds its first four-engine aircraft, the Douglas DC4. Zimmerly and Empires airlines merge to form West Coast Airlines, headquartered in Seattle. First service to Okinawa. Mont. The twin engine Martin 202 enters service.
Service expands to Washington, D.C., Cleveland, Pittsburgh and Honolulu.
Civil war in China forces suspension of Shanghai service. Southern Flight 1, with Capt. Miss. Southern Airways begins operations with 39 employees and headquarters in Atlanta. Northwest becomes the first airline to offer beverage service within the U.S. on the Boeing Stratocruiser. All Rights Reserved.