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Bonanza Air Lines

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Adapted from the English Wikipedia article Bonanza Air Lines, available under CC BY-SA 4.0Updated 25 July 2025
Bonanza Air Lines
Company typePublic
IndustryAirline
PredecessorBonanza Air Service
Founded1945
FounderEdmund Converse
Defunct1968
FateMerged with Pacific Air Lines and West Coast Airlines to form Air West
SuccessorAir West
Headquarters
Las Vegas, Nevada (until 1966); Phoenix, Arizona (from 1966)
,
United States
Area served
Western United States, Mexico
Key people
Edmund Converse (Founder and President)
ProductsScheduled passenger air service

Bonanza Air Lines operated as a regional carrier concentrating on smaller markets throughout the Western United States and later expanded into Mexico from 1949 until its 1968 consolidation with Pacific Air Lines and West Coast Airlines, which resulted in the creation of Air West. Originally based in Las Vegas, Nevada, the airline relocated its headquarters to Phoenix, Arizona in 1966.

The airline was established by Edmund Converse, who also held the position of President. Bonanza started as a charter company under the name Bonanza Air Service in Las Vegas before transitioning into a Nevada intrastate airline in 1946, servicing routes between Las Vegas and Reno. It achieved federal certification as a local service carrier in 1949, initiating flights connecting Phoenix and Reno. During the 1950s and early 1960s, Bonanza broadened its route network to cover Arizona, Southern California, and Utah, including major destinations such as Phoenix, Los Angeles, and Salt Lake City. Significantly, it operated the only scheduled nonstop service between Las Vegas and Reno until 1978.

In the period leading up to the merger, Bonanza expanded internationally by deploying Douglas DC-9 jets on flights from Phoenix and Tucson to Mexico. This move strengthened its market presence and competitive positioning within the regional aviation sector.

History

Bonanza Air Service commenced charter flights in 1945 from Las Vegas using a single-engine Cessna aircraft. By 1946, it had acquired a C-47 modified for civilian use as a Douglas DC-3. The airline began intrastate operations between Las Vegas and Reno on August 5, 1946, under the name Bonanza Air Lines. Initially operating three times per week, it increased frequency to daily by September 1947. The company sought feeder airline certification from the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) and announced plans to merge with Arizona Airways in 1947; however, this merger did not materialize.

In June 1949, the CAB granted Bonanza feeder airline authority for the Reno-Phoenix route via Las Vegas, transferring control from trunk carrier Transcontinental & Western Air (TWA) to Bonanza. After acquiring route rights from TWA for $672.09 in November 1949, certificated service commenced on December 19, 1949. Bonanza played a vital role in connecting Nevada’s remote cities and enhanced service on the Vegas-Phoenix corridor, thereby increasing its share of the regional market. Founder Edmund Converse significantly financed its growth. In July 1952, routes were extended from Phoenix to Los Angeles.

Similar to other local service airlines, Bonanza benefited from federal subsidies; by 1962 its operating revenue totaled $11 million, including $3.2 million derived from public service funds.

In 1959, Bonanza introduced Fairchild F-27 turboprop aircraft and attempted to expand into Texas markets without success. By late 1960, F-27s had replaced all DC-3s in its fleet, making Bonanza the first U.S. airline to operate an all-turbine aircraft lineup. These F-27s served destinations such as Grand Canyon National Park Airport, Las Vegas, Phoenix, Salt Lake City, and Tucson.

In October 1962, Bonanza placed an order for BAC One-Eleven jets but was denied approval by the CAB; instead it procured American-built Douglas DC-9 series 10 aircraft. Deliveries began toward the end of 1965 with service launching on March 1, 1966. The DC-9 "Funjets" operated on routes including Las Vegas–Reno, Las Vegas–Los Angeles, and Phoenix–Salt Lake City. The company’s headquarters moved to Phoenix that same year.

The April 28, 1968 timetable featured DC-9 jet services across multiple routes linking principal cities such as Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Reno, Tucson, San Diego, and Salt Lake City.

Following CAB approval on April 17, 1968, Bonanza merged with Pacific Air Lines and West Coast Airlines, forming Air West on July 1. The new airline incorporated Bonanza’s DC-9-10s and F-27As into its fleet.

A McDonnell Douglas DC-9-31 initially ordered by Bonanza was delivered post-merger to Air West and remained in operation until approximately 2009.

Destinations in 1968

The airline's route map dated April 28, 1968, details the cities served by Bonanza Air Lines. Destinations featuring service by DC-9 jets and F-27 turboprops are indicated in bold, while those exclusively served by F-27 aircraft appear in standard text:

Although Guaymas, Mexico (GYM) was shown on the map with approved operating rights, Bonanza was not actively serving this destination at that time. Additionally, earlier in 1968 the airline operated F-27 flights to Apple Valley, California (APV).

Fleet

The aircraft types that comprised Bonanza Air Lines' fleet included:

Aircraft Quantity Year Introduced Year Retired Remarks
Cessna T-50 2 1945 Template:Unknown
Douglas C-47 Skytrain 10 1949 1963
McDonnell Douglas DC-9-10 7 1965 1968
Fairchild F-27A 17 1959 1968
Grumman Gulfstream I 1 Template:Unknown Template:Unknown

Legacy

Incidents and accidents

Bonanza Air Lines experienced a single fatal accident on November 15, 1964. Flight 114 crashed into mountainous terrain near Las Vegas amid adverse weather conditions, resulting in the loss of all 29 passengers and crew onboard.

See also

External links

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