Pacific Air Lines

Pacific Air Lines

Company type	Private
Industry	Airline
Predecessor	Southwest Airways
Founded	1941
Founder	John Howard "Jack" Connelly, Leland Hayward
Defunct	1968
Fate	Merged with Bonanza Air Lines and West Coast Airlines to form Air West
Headquarters	San Francisco , United States
Area served	Western United States (California, Oregon, Nevada)
Key people	John Howard "Jack" Connelly (President), Leland Hayward (Chairman)
Products	Scheduled passenger air services

Pacific Air Lines operated as a regional airline on the West Coast, initiating scheduled passenger services in the mid-1940s under the name Southwest Airways. The airline primarily linked smaller cities within California to major urban centers such as Los Angeles and San Francisco, later extending its reach to Portland, Oregon, as well as Nevada destinations including Las Vegas and Reno.

Backed by investors from the Hollywood entertainment sector, Pacific Air Lines became known for pioneering safety protocols and maintaining cost-effective operations. Its main office was situated at San Francisco International Airport. In 1968, it merged with Bonanza Air Lines and West Coast Airlines to create Air West, which was subsequently purchased by Howard Hughes and rebranded as Hughes Airwest.

Establishment and wartime activities

In early 1941, aviation professional John Howard "Jack" Connelly teamed up with Hollywood agent and producer Leland Hayward to form a partnership that evolved into a scheduled airline five years later. Connelly contributed his background as a test pilot, aircraft salesman, and Civil Aeronautics Administration instructor, while Hayward brought experience as a private pilot and member of the TWA board. They recruited pilot and photographer John Swope to manage aviation cadet training programs. Together, they developed a maintenance facility, an air cargo operation for wartime needs, and pilot training centers at Thunderbird Field No. 1 and No. 2, along with Falcon Field in Arizona. By the conclusion of World War II, Southwest Airways had become the largest U.S. contractor for pilot training, having trained over 20,000 aviators from more than two dozen countries.

Initiation of scheduled flights

Following the war, Connelly and Hayward secured $2 million from investors including James Stewart and Darryl Zanuck to transition into airline operations. They obtained a three-year experimental charter from the Civil Aeronautics Board in May 1946. Scheduled services commenced on December 2, 1946, utilizing surplus C-47 aircraft (military Douglas DC-3s adapted for civilian use). Initial routes connected Los Angeles with San Francisco via multiple stops along California’s coastline and inland cities, later expanding northward to Oregon locations such as Medford and Portland.

By the late 1950s, after rebranding as Pacific Air Lines, the carrier served 29 airports predominantly within California while also operating routes to Oregon. The airline provided flights to Catalina Airport on Santa Catalina Island from airports around Los Angeles. This regional route structure enabled the airline to expand its presence in the competitive West Coast market through enhanced feeder services and strategic route planning.

Efficient operations and streamlined service

With Connelly as president and Hayward as chairman holding majority ownership, Southwest Airways pursued a business model centered on minimizing operating expenses. Operating with narrow profit margins, Southwest functioned as a no-frills airline well before the rise of modern low-cost carriers.

The company refined ground handling procedures so that a DC-3 could unload passengers and taxi away within 90 seconds of touchdown (adding six minutes if refueling was required). To reduce costs further, pilots performed refueling duties instead of relying on airport personnel. Turnaround times were shortened by keeping one engine running while a male purser swiftly directed passengers off the aircraft. The DC-3s were equipped with an 'airstair'—a door that doubled as stairs—eliminating the need for ground crew equipment and speeding up boarding processes.

By August 1953, Southwest operated daily DC-3 flights between San Francisco International Airport and Los Angeles International Airport with eight intermediate stops in approximately 3 hours and 45 minutes.

Innovations in Instrument Landing

Southwest Airways made significant strides in aviation safety by achieving the first-ever blind landing by a commercial aircraft in December 1947. This milestone was accomplished at Arcata Airport through the use of ground-controlled approach radar, advanced instrument landing systems, and FIDO oil-burning units. By the following year, the airline had successfully completed 1,200 routine instrument landings at the frequently foggy Arcata-Eureka Airport.

By 1948, Southwest's fleet consisted of 10 Douglas DC-3 aircraft, servicing 24 airports throughout California and Oregon. This expansion positioned Southwest as the second-largest feeder airline operating within the United States.

Flight 7 Tragedy

On April 6, 1951, Southwest Airways suffered its first fatal crash when Flight 7 went down between Santa Maria and Santa Barbara, resulting in the deaths of all 22 individuals on board, including twelve military personnel. The Douglas DC-3 collided with a ridge in the Santa Ynez Mountains at an altitude of 2,740 feet, which was below the mandated minimum altitude of 4,000 feet for that segment of the flight path. The Civil Aeronautics Board investigation into the accident did not determine a definitive cause.

Growth of Fleet

By the end of 1952, Southwest Airways had incorporated eight used piston-engine Martin 2-0-2 aircraft into its fleet. These planes were larger and offered higher speeds compared to the DC-3s. Throughout the 1950s, company promotional materials emphasized service to 33 locations across California (covering 24 airports), with schedules asserting that Southwest Airways "serves more California cities than any other scheduled airline."

Pacific Air Lines Period (1958–1968)

On March 6, 1958, the airline adopted the name Pacific Air Lines and updated its corporate image from an earth-toned Thunderbird emblem to a vibrant modern logo. To highlight its longstanding operation, timetables from 1959 indicated that the company was entering its "17th year of scheduled service," underscoring its established presence in the market.

Similar to other regional carriers, Pacific Air Lines benefited from federal subsidies; in 1962, its total operating revenue of $12.1 million included $4.1 million received from government support.

Transition to Propeller and Turboprop Aircraft

In 1959, Pacific Air Lines expanded its fleet with fourteen pre-owned pressurized Martin 4-0-4 aircraft. Shortly thereafter, it introduced its first turbine-powered planes: the U.S.-manufactured Fairchild F-27, a variant of the Dutch-designed Fokker F27 Friendship. The phase-out process for thirteen DC-3s commenced in 1960, culminating with their final flight in 1962. The Martin 2-0-2s were retired by March 1964. The Martin 4-0-4s and Fairchild F-27s became central to the fleet’s operations. For example, during summer 1964 one F-27 operated a multi-stop route from Reno to San Diego lasting six hours. By April 1967, following retirement of the last Martin 4-0-4, Pacific’s fleet was exclusively turbine-powered.

According to published schedules, Pacific extended service beyond California by adding flights to Las Vegas in 1957; Reno and San Diego in 1962; and Lake Tahoe in 1964. Outside California, destinations included Medford and Portland in Oregon as well as Las Vegas and Reno in Nevada.

Flight 308 Accident

On October 26, 1959, a Pacific Air Lines DC-3 flying as Flight 308 crashed shortly after departing Santa Maria, California, resulting in the death of the co-pilot. The left engine experienced failure when its number five cylinder malfunctioned, causing intense vibration. The captain attempted an emergency landing approximately one and a half miles north of the airport; during this maneuver, the aircraft cartwheeled and sustained significant damage. The captain suffered serious injuries while passengers and the purser incurred various lesser injuries.

The investigation concluded that deformation of the left engine’s ring cowl following cylinder failure created drag that prevented continued flight. Additionally, company scheduling decisions despite concerns over engine reliability were identified as contributing factors. In response to this incident, Pacific Air Lines discontinued contracted maintenance services at Los Angeles and assigned all future aircraft maintenance responsibilities to its own staff.

Attempted Hijacking

The earliest recorded hijacking attempt in the United States took place on July 31, 1961, aboard Pacific Air Lines Flight 327 at Chico Municipal Airport in California. During the incident, the hijacker fired shots at both the pilot and a ticket agent. However, while the aircraft remained on the tarmac, the copilot and several passengers subdued the assailant.

Flight 773 Disaster

On May 7, 1964, Pacific Air Lines Flight 773 tragically crashed near San Ramon, California, resulting in the deaths of all 44 individuals onboard the Fairchild F-27 aircraft. The plane descended almost straight down into a hillside located east of Oakland. Investigators discovered a firearm among the wreckage, and the FBI concluded that a passenger deliberately shot both pilots before committing suicide, which led to the catastrophic loss of control.

Introduction of Boeing 727s

Pacific Air Lines revealed on September 13, 1965, its plan to incorporate six Boeing 727-100 jets into its fleet. Two of these aircraft were leased immediately, with the remaining four scheduled for delivery by early 1968. This acquisition occurred during a financially successful period; however, net profits declined from $700,337 in 1965 to $150,716, primarily due to the Boeing 727's suboptimal performance on Pacific's specific routes. Two of these jets were leased out to National Airlines.

In a 1966 print advertisement, Pacific highlighted its Boeing 727 service as connecting more California cities than any competitor, including Fresno, Bakersfield, Monterey, Lake Tahoe, Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Jose, and Santa Barbara. Although there were initial plans to procure more fuel-efficient Boeing 737-200s, these orders were ultimately canceled following changes in business circumstances.

Provocative Advertising Campaign

In 1967, Pacific Air Lines embarked on an unconventional advertising strategy that directly confronted the often-overlooked issue of aviophobia. They engaged Stan Freberg—an acclaimed advertising creative and comedian known for his innovative style—to spearhead this campaign. The print advertisements openly addressed passenger fears with candid messaging such as:

Another advertisement featured the statement:

To further emphasize this theme, flight attendants handed out "survival kits" containing a bright pink lunch pail filled with items like a small security blanket, a "lucky" rabbit’s foot charm, the popular book The Power of Positive Thinking, and a fortune cookie printed with the phrase "It could be worse. The pilot could be whistling 'The High and the Mighty'." Additionally, attendants were encouraged to cheerfully proclaim "We made it! How about that!" upon arrival.

Freberg had envisioned painting one of Pacific’s Boeing 727s to resemble a steam locomotive—complete with wheels and a cowcatcher—and incorporating authentic train sounds inside the cabin; however, this concept was never executed.

Matthew E. McCarthy, who served as Pacific’s CEO and was its largest shareholder, described the campaign as an honest admission of passengers’ apprehensions. Despite its straightforwardness, it sparked considerable backlash; Philip H. Dougherty of The New York Times labeled it as "rather shocking". At a stockholders meeting in May 1967, objections to the campaign contributed to the resignation of two company executives.

Merger

The 1965 order for Boeing 727s occurred during a changing business environment that constrained Pacific Air Lines' original plan to operate an all-jet fleet. Confronted with fierce rivalry from carriers such as Pacific Southwest Airlines (PSA) and United Air Lines, Pacific combined forces with Bonanza Air Lines and West Coast Airlines in 1968, creating Air West to enhance competitive strength. Following its purchase by Howard Hughes in 1970, Air West was renamed Hughes Airwest and subsequently merged into Republic Airlines in 1980. Republic was later absorbed by Northwest Airlines in 1987, which itself merged into Delta Air Lines in 2008. At the time of the merger, Pacific's fleet consisted of 11 Fairchild F-27s, five Martin 4-0-4s, and three Boeing 727-100s (including one leased aircraft), with the Martins phased out by August 1968.

The airline's founding partners, John Connelly and Leland Hayward, both died in 1971, closing a significant chapter in the company’s history.

Destinations in 1968

The timetable dated April 28, 1968, just prior to the merger, showcased Pacific Air Lines’ route network, emphasizing its focus on regional markets:

California:

• Bakersfield (BFL)
• Burbank (BUR)
• Chico (CIC)
• Crescent City (CEC)
• Eureka/Arcata (ACV)
• Fresno (FAT)
• Inyokern (IYK)
• Lake Tahoe (TVL)
• Long Beach (LGB)
• Los Angeles (LAX)
• Marysville/Yuba City (MYV)
• Monterey (MRY)
• Oxnard/Ventura (OXR)
• Palmdale/Lancaster (WJF) – via General William J. Fox Airfield
• Paso Robles (PRB) – San Luis Obispo served through Paso Robles
• Redding (RDD) – Red Bluff served through Redding
• Sacramento (SMF)
• San Diego (SAN)
• San Francisco (SFO) – airline headquarters location
• San Jose (SJC)
• Santa Barbara (SBA)
• Santa Maria (SMX)
• Santa Rosa (STS)
• Stockton (SCK)
• Vandenberg Air Force Base (VBG) – passenger access restricted

Nevada:

• Las Vegas (LAS)
• Reno (RNO)

Oregon:

• Portland (PDX)

Fleet

• Boeing 727-100 – the airline’s only jet aircraft type
• Douglas DC-3 – operated by predecessor Southwest Airways and Pacific Air Lines, including the C-47 variant
• Fairchild F-27
• Martin 2-0-2 – used by Southwest and Pacific
• Martin 4-0-4 – operated by Southwest and Pacific

See also

• List of defunct airlines of the United States

External links

• Period photographs from the Arizona Memory Project – features an image of founders Connelly and Hayward
• The Ed Coates collection – visual history of U.S. airlines including Southwest Airways and Pacific Air Lines aircraft
• Photographs of Pacific Air Lines aircraft – airliners.net archive
• Gallery of timetable covers for Southwest Airways and Pacific Air Lines – timetableimages.com repository
• Southwest Airways and Pacific Air Lines timetable covers from the 1940s, 1950s, 1960s decades – airtimes.com collection
• Southwest Airways / Pacific Air Lines aircraft fleet – details on registration numbers, types, and service periods
• Southwest Airways / Pacific Air Lines historical archives – artifact inventory at Minnesota Historical Society