Howard Hughes acquired control of TWA in 1939, and after World War II led the expansion of the airline to serve Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, making TWA a second unofficial flag carrier of the United States after Pan Am.
Howard Hughes fíxose co control de TWA en 1939, e despois da segunda guerra mundial liderou a expansión da aeroliña para servie Europa, Oriente Medio e Asia, convertendo a TWA nunha segunda aeroliña nacional non oficial despois de Pan Am.