Airline Guitars
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Musical instruments |
| Founded | 1950s (original brand) |
| Headquarters | Chicago , United States |
| Products | Electric guitars, bass guitars, amplifiers, effects pedals, accessories |
| Owner | Family ownership (since 2024) |
Airline Guitars is a Chicago-based independent guitar manufacturer. Initially launched as a store brand by Montgomery Ward, Airline produced guitars from the late 1950s through the 1970s, alongside other consumer electronics such as radios and televisions. In the early 2000s, Eastwood Guitars obtained the brand rights and reintroduced vintage models. By 2024, Airline Guitars reemerged as a standalone company under new family ownership in Chicago, concentrating on retro-inspired electric guitars, bass guitars, amplifiers, and accessories that blend classic aesthetics with contemporary craftsmanship.
Musical equipment
Between 1958 and 1968, Montgomery Ward utilized the Airline brand for both electric and acoustic guitars. These instruments were manufactured in Chicago by companies including Valco Manufacturing Co., Kay Musical Instrument Company, and Harmony Company. Amplifiers bearing the Airline name were crafted by Valco as well as Danelectro.
Valco-produced Airline guitars have been favored by prominent musicians such as Jack White, J. B. Hutto, David Bowie, The Cure, PJ Harvey, Calexico, and Wooden Shjips. The striking red Airline Res-O-Glas model—often called the "Jetsons"—is strongly linked to Jack White and holds an iconic status within garage rock communities.
Eastwood Guitars reissue
Following its acquisition of the "Airline" trademark in the early 2000s, Eastwood Guitars revived the early 1960s "JB Hutto" Airline design under the name "Airline DLX." This iteration substituted the original Valco hollow fiberglass body with a more affordable chambered mahogany construction, delivering a conventional electric guitar tone and playing experience instead of replicating the original's distinctive response.
In December 2008, Eastwood launched the "Airline '59 Custom," available in two- and three-pickup configurations featuring striped pickguards and rubber-bound bodies, capturing the essence of the original models.
Airline Guitars returns to Chicago
In October 2024, a family-operated enterprise based in Chicago acquired the rights to the "Airline" name. The new proprietors focus on producing retro-inspired electric guitars, basses, amplifiers, effects pedals, and accessories that pay tribute to the brand’s heritage while merging traditional American design with modern innovation. This development signifies Airline Guitars’ revival as an independent entity rooted once again in Chicago, distinct from Eastwood ownership.