Expansion, Cooperation, and Mergers of American Airlines
United States Airlines, American, and Delta Airlines are the two largest airlines globally, while Delta Airlines is the third-largest airline in the United States. American Airlines Competitors and Alternatives include Southwest Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Spirit Airlines, and United Airlines. How did they get to this position? Their growth story is remarkable and was partially based on the wreckage of other airlines that had collapsed. American Airlines was founded as a partnership between a number of independent airlines. As many as 80 smaller airlines from all over the United States merged to become American Airways in 1930, including Southern Air Transport in Texas and Southern Air Fast Express on the West Coast. Colonial Air Transport joined forces in New York, primarily for mail services. After American Airways changed its name to American Airlines in 1934, passenger airlines began to take shape. The carrier debuted the dc-3 aircraft in 1936 after coll...