Genealogy of US Airlines

This airline history print maps the formation and evolution of the major U.S. airlines over the past century. The chart traces the industry from the early air mail era and the forced consolidation into large carriers in 1930, through the growth of local service airlines, the effects of deregulation in 1978, and the mergers that shaped the airlines operating today.

Airline timelines show how companies formed, changed names, merged, disappeared, or became part of larger carriers. The chart includes United, Delta, American, Southwest, JetBlue, Alaska, Hawaiian, Spirit, Continental, TWA, Pan Am, Eastern, Northwest, Western, National, USAir, Frontier, Central, and many others.

Twenty vintage airline badges and logos frame the chart, drawn from original aviation marks and rendered in colors and type styles inspired by the golden age of air travel.

Designer Notes

This is one of my favorite pieces. Researching the early years of the airline industry led me through a wide range of library sources, timetables, airline histories, and old aviation graphics. The search for original airline badges and logos became a project of its own: a way to track down small, often forgotten pieces of aviation design history.

In addition to the original chart, I later created a large custom version for American Airlines and a special design for United Airlines.

PAPER & PRINTING

Printed on archival-grade, acid-free matte fine-art paper with a natural surface for crisp detail, accurate color, and lasting display quality.