Delta Airlines

Delta Airlines History

History of Delta Airlines goes back to 1924 when Huff Daland Dusters crop-dusting company was founded in Macon, Georgia. In 1928 C. E. Woolman, one of the founding partners, purchased Huff Daland Dusters and renamed the company into Delta Airlines. This is when company headquarters were moved to Monroe, Louisiana. In 1929 Delta Airlines operated first passenger flight over route from Dallas to Mississippi. During the 1930s the company continues to grow, wins its first airmail contract with Post Office and opens new passenger routes.

In 1941 Delta Airlines headquarters were moved to Atlanta. During the war years the company modified over a thousand aircraft, trained a lot of Army pilots and mechanics, and in this way contributed to the war effort. In 1945 Delta Airlines receives an award as a company with over 300 million passenger miles and 10 years without passenger or crew fatality.

In the 1950s Delta Airlines merges with Chicago and Southern Airlines, and opens its first international route - to the Caribbean and Venezuela. 1955 was a good year in the history of Delta Airlines - the company introduces the use of hub system and opens route from Atlanta to New York. In 1966 C. E. Woolman dies and Charles H. Dolson becomes the CEO of Delta Airlines.

In 1971 Delta Airlines launches Delta Dash, and in 1975 - Delta Air Express. In 1972 Northeast Airlines merges with Delta. In 1978 the company begins its transatlantic service and opens route from Atlanta to London. 1979 was an important year in the Delta Airlines history as it celebrated its 50th year of service.

The 1980s were marked by expansion of the company's services and routes: Delta develops its computer reservation system, launches Frequent Flyer Program, and begins its services to Hawaii and Asia. In 1987 Western Airlines merges with Delta. In 1991 Delta Airlines purchases Pan American, including its transatlantic routes, and becomes a global carrier. In 1999 Delta is named the global Airline of the Year 1998.

In 2000 Delta acquires Atlantic Southeast Airlines and Comair. 2004 becomes a difficult year in the Delta Airlines history as it was forced to file for bankruptcy due to high labor costs and rapidly rising fuel prices.