Genealogy of US Airlines
A 100-year visual history of the airlines that shaped commercial aviation.
Trace the origins, mergers, and legacies of the major carriers that dominate air travel today — framed with 20 vintage badges and logos in a rich art deco style. Printed on fine-art, archival-grade acid-free paper, ensuring rich color and a long print life.
Updated for 2026
Follow the complete journey of an industry shaped by Charles Lindbergh's historic 1927 flight — from the forced consolidation into four giant carriers in 1930 (United, American, Eastern and TWA), through the expansion of local carriers in the 1940s, to the sweeping changes of deregulation in 1978. See the rise and fall of legendary airlines like Pan Am and TWA.
The chart is framed with 20 vintage airline badges and logos, rendered in fonts and colors inspired by the art deco style of the golden age of travel. Airlines represented include United, Delta, American, JetBlue, Southwest, Hawaiian, Spirit, Alaska, Continental, TWA, Pan American, Western, National, USAir, Frontier, Northwest, Eastern, Central, and many others.
Designer Notes
This is one of my favorite pieces. Researching the early years of the airline industry took me through various libraries. The hunt for original aviation badges and logos to scan became a fascinating project in its own right — trying to track down rare and forgotten mini-artworks of aviation history. In addition to the original chart, I went on to create a large custom version for American Airlines and a special design for United Airlines.