95 Years Ago, TWA Broke the Transcontinental Barrier
- Published on 25/10/2025 10:52
On October 25, 1930, Transcontinental and Western Air (TWA) inaugurated the United States’ first regular transcontinental air service
This first regular transcontinental flight service in the United States offered by TWA connected New York to Los Angeles with a stop in Kansas City, Missouri. In the end, the journey took… 36 hours! At first glance, this may seem long compared to today’s standards, but for the time, it was a true lightning-fast voyage. Trains then took several days to cover the same distance, and the comfort and speed provided by TWA represented a revolution for passengers.
This route, nicknamed “The Lindbergh Line” in honor of Charles Lindbergh, a pioneer of aviation, combined innovation and boldness. The transcontinental air service was made possible through the merger of Transcontinental Air Transport (TAT) and Western Air Express, supported by the American government to develop air transportation and mail delivery. The aircraft used, mainly Fokker F-10s and Ford Trimotors, were designed to ensure safety and reliability in complex weather conditions due to their low altitude of flight.
The launch of this route marked the beginning of a new era for TWA, which would later become the iconic Trans World Airlines. This airline played a major role in the growth of American and international commercial aviation, democratizing air travel and inspiring many technical and logistical innovations.
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Today, looking back at the first TWA flight, we realize how much air travel has progressed. But it’s fascinating to recall that in 1930, 36 hours in a plane to cross the American coasts was an incredible feat. This bold step paved the way for modern aviation as we know it, and reminds us how each technological leap in mobility was a giant stride for its era.
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This page is translated from the original post "Il y a 95 ans, TWA brisait la barrière transcontinentale" in French.
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