Varney Air Lines

Varney Air Lines
Company type	Private
Industry	Airline
Founded	1926
Founder	Walter Varney
Defunct	1934
Fate	Acquired by United Aircraft and Transport Corporation; became part of United Airlines
Headquarters	Boise, United States
Area served	United States (Pasco, Elko, Boise, Salt Lake City, Portland, Seattle)
Products	Airmail service, passenger air service

Varney Air Lines was an American carrier established by Walter Varney in 1926, initially operating as an airmail service headquartered in Boise, Idaho. This airline was instrumental in the development of United Airlines, evolving from early government mail contracts into a significant commercial aviation enterprise.

Historical background

In 1925, the U.S. Congress enacted the Kelly Act, which empowered the Post Office to award contracts to private airlines for mail delivery along key points of the Transcontinental Air Mail route. Varney won the CAM-5 contract as the sole bidder, managing flights between Pasco, Washington and Elko, Nevada, with a scheduled stop in Boise. This agreement provided the foundation for Varney’s expansion and its eventual emergence as a prominent airline.

Pasco was selected strategically due to its role as a railroad junction connecting Portland, Oregon, Seattle, and Spokane, Washington. This advantageous location facilitated seamless transfer of mail between rail and air transport, significantly cutting coast-to-coast delivery times and strengthening Varney’s early position in air freight operations.

First flight

The inaugural eastbound CAM-5 flight departed Pasco at dawn piloted by Leon D. Cuddeback, transporting mail amid enthusiastic cheers from an audience estimated between 4,000 and 6,000 spectators.

Later history

Varney transitioned its aircraft lineup from Swallows to Stearman C3 models, later incorporating larger planes such as the Stearman M-2 Speedmail, specialized mail carriers like the Boeing Model 40, and eventually adopting the advanced twin-engine monoplane Boeing 247 in 1933 to improve both mail and passenger services.

The airline broadened its route network to encompass cities including Salt Lake City, Portland, and Seattle.

In 1930, Varney was acquired by United Aircraft and Transport Corporation, an entity formed through the consolidation of Boeing and Pratt & Whitney Aircraft. Varney became part of its airline division alongside carriers such as Pacific Air Transport, Boeing, and National Air Transport.

Following the 1934 Air Mail scandal and the enactment of the Air Mail Act, which barred aircraft manufacturers from owning airlines, United Aircraft and Transport Corporation was divided. The airline segment was rebranded as United Airlines. Since Varney was integrated within this group, United traces its origins back to 1926, positioning it as the oldest commercial airline in the United States.

Continental Airlines

After the Roosevelt administration terminated all domestic airmail contracts in 1934, entrepreneur Robert F. Six invested $90,000 to join Varney Speed Lines’ Southwest Division, which required funding for its Pueblo-El Paso route. Six met Louis Mueller, co-founder of Varney’s Southwest Division, and was appointed general manager on July 5, 1936. On July 8, 1937, the carrier was renamed Continental Air Lines. Six selected "Continental" to symbolize aspirations for nationwide expansion. In 2010, United (the successor to Varney) merged with Continental, consolidating their market positions.

External links

Varney Lines newsletter, available through The Museum of Flight Digital Collections
Weekly News Letter (Varney Air Lines), accessible via The Museum of Flight Digital Collections