Capital Airlines (United States) Overview and Collection

Capital Airlines was a US airline that operated from 1947 to 1961. It was a major player in the American aviation industry during its time.

The airline was founded by a group of investors who saw an opportunity to fill a gap in the market for passenger air travel. Capital Airlines was known for its efficient operations and modern fleet of aircraft.

Capital Airlines operated a fleet of DC-4s, DC-6s, and DC-7s, which were among the most advanced aircraft of their time. The airline's routes spanned across the United States, with a focus on connecting major cities.

Capital Airlines was acquired by United Airlines in 1961 and ceased to exist as a separate entity.

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Capital Airlines was founded in the late 1940s and initially competed with railroads and major airlines on the Chicago to New York City route.

In 1948, Capital introduced the "Nighthawk" coach class service, which was a first for the airline industry. The service left Chicago at 1 AM and stopped in Pittsburgh before continuing to New York City.

The airline's early success was marked by the introduction of new aircraft, including the Lockheed Constellations in 1950 and the Vickers Viscount, the first passenger turboprop airliner, in 1955.

By 1958, Capital was operating shuttle service with its Viscount propjets between major cities, including New York and Chicago, and Chicago and Washington D.C. The airline's passenger-miles increased by 88% between 1955 and 1957.

Labor difficulties plagued the airline in 1958 when the International Association of Machinists went on strike for 38 days, crippling operations.

Pennsylvania Airlines was a small airline that operated in the United States from 1933 to 1971.

It was founded in 1933 by a group of investors who wanted to provide air service to the northeastern United States.

The airline's hub was located at Pittsburgh Airport in Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania Airlines was known for its reliable service and scenic routes over the Appalachian Mountains.

It operated a fleet of smaller aircraft, including the DC-3 and the Convair 240.

The airline offered scheduled passenger service to destinations in Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, and Maryland.

Pennsylvania Airlines also provided charter service to ski resorts in the Pocono Mountains.

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Capital Airlines was a domestic carrier that served the eastern, southern, southeastern, and midwestern regions of the United States.

The airline's headquarters were located at Washington National Airport, now known as Reagan Washington National Airport, across the Potomac River from Washington, DC.

Capital Airlines was the fifth largest domestic carrier in the 1950s, with 251 aircraft, following the Big Four airlines: American, United, TWA, and Eastern.

In 1948, Capital introduced the "Nighthawk", one of the first coach class services, to compete with the railroads and dominant airlines on the Chicago to New York City route.

Capital Airlines received its first Lockheed Constellations in 1950 and became the first U.S. operator of the British manufactured, four engine Vickers Viscount, the first passenger turboprop airliner, in 1955.

The Viscount propjets were deployed on the flagship Washington-Chicago route and the airline had planned to fly them on expanded service.

Capital Airlines encountered labor difficulties when the International Association of Machinists went on strike in fall 1958, crippling operations for 38 days.

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In 1961, Capital began operating its first and only jet aircraft type: new Boeing 720jetliners leased from United Airlines.

The airline's passenger-miles in 1957 were 88% more than 1955, despite being mostly stymied by the federal Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB).

Capital Airlines was acquired by United Airlines in 1961, becoming the largest airline merger in history at the time.

Capital Airlines was a major player in the US airline industry, with a vast network of destinations across the country. They operated flights to over 60 cities in the United States.

In 1937, Capital Airlines' main route was from Milwaukee to Washington, D.C., with stops in several cities along the way. This route was a key part of their network.

Some of the cities on this route included Muskegon, Grand Rapids, Lansing, Detroit, Cleveland, Akron, and Pittsburgh. These cities were all important stops for the airline.

By 1941, Capital Airlines had expanded its network with new spurs from Grand Rapids to Chicago, and from Pittsburgh to Erie and Buffalo. This expansion allowed them to reach more customers.

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Here are some of the cities that Capital Airlines served in 1961:

By 1960, Capital Airlines had expanded its network to include flights to several cities in Florida, including Jacksonville, Miami, St. Petersburg, Tampa, and West Palm Beach.

Capital Airlines operated a diverse fleet of aircraft, reflecting the rapid advancements in aviation technology during the 1950s and 1960s.

In 1961, the airline's fleet consisted of Boeing 720s, which were leased from United Airlines, and Douglas DC-3, DC-4, and DC-6 aircraft.

The Capital fleet also included a Vickers Viscount, the only turboprop operated by the airline, and Douglas DC-6B, although the latter had been returned to Pan American World Airways just a month prior.

Here's a breakdown of the aircraft types in Capital's 1961 fleet:

Capital Airlines had a diverse fleet in 1961, with a mix of jet and propeller-driven aircraft. The airline operated a total of six different aircraft types.

The Boeing 720 was the only jet type operated by Capital, and it was leased from United Airlines but flown by Capital crews. The Douglas DC-3 and DC-4 were also part of the fleet, providing additional passenger capacity.

The Douglas DC-6 and DC-6B were listed in the June 1, 1961, timetable, but the DC-6B had actually been returned to Pan American World Airways in May 1961. The Vickers Viscount was the only turboprop operated by the airline.

Here's a breakdown of the aircraft types operated by Capital in 1961:

The Capital Airlines fleet was a significant part of its operations, with destinations spanning across the United States.

In 1961, the airline's system timetable listed service to 57 destinations, including Akron, Ohio/Canton, Ohio, and Atlanta, Georgia.

These destinations were served by a mix of aircraft, including the Boeing 720 jet.

The airline's fleet was likely a crucial factor in its ability to provide service to such a wide range of locations.

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Here is a list of some of the destinations served by Capital Airlines in 1961:

Charles Baptie was the company photographer of Capital Airlines, working with the company since its inception as Pennsylvania Central Airlines in 1936.

Many of the photographs in this collection were taken by Charles Baptie, who later formed his own photography studio called Charles Baptie Studios.

Not all photographs are marked as taken by Baptie, but they are very possibly his work.

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