note
Airline was founded as all Cargo carrier - National Skyways Freight Corp by former American Volunteer Group pilots lead by Bob Prescott. AVG was volunteer group of American pilots who together with RAF fought Japanese over the skies of Burma in the early 1940s. AVG pilots were nick-named Flying Tigers by US press because of their astounding efficiency. To honor AVGs, NSF changed its name to Flying Tiger Line in 1946 and started operations using Navy surpluss Budd Conestoga aircraft. FTL obtained its CAB certificate in 1949 which allowed to start scheduled service. First concessions included hauling produce from California to the East Coast. Airline developed ad-hoc charter as well as scheduled routes world-wide. In its early days war surplus Douglas DC-3s, DC-4s and DC-6s as well as Curtiss C-46s and Lockheed Constellations were used. Airline obtained its first turboprop in May 1961 when it took delivery of Canadair CL-44.
Its first jet, a Boeing 707, was introduced in March 1966. However, the 707s were replaced with Douglas DC-8s just two years later. In 1969 it established the first scheduled all-cargo route across the Pacific. The DC-8s also provided supplemental passenger charters, and were frequent providers for MAC. The first wide-body in its fleet was a Boeing 747 delivered in April 1977. In October 1980 it took over Seaboard World Airlines giving Flying Tiger access to the North Atlantic. Together with its Pacific and US network, FT became the market leader in air freight transport. In the 1980s the airline expanded its domestic presence with a fleet of Boeing 727s, and opened a hub in Columbus. In December 1988 Federal Express acquired parent, Tiger International, allowing the small package carrier to enter the heavy freight business. The airlines merged on August 7, 1989.
founded - demised (age)
June 1945 - August 7 1989 (44)
headquarters
, Los Angeles
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base airports
related operators
current /stored fleet (0)
