The Historical Geography of Western Airlines

Abstract

During this century airlines have been one of the most rapidly growing industries in the United States. As a consequence, the spatial development of airline networks or route structures provides an attractive subject for geographic analysis. Within the Pacific Coast region the evolution of Western Airlines supplies a particularly interesting case study. Unlike most U.S. trunk carriers, whose route structures have grown steadily over the years, Western Airlines has a record that is marked by several periods of substantial route loss and retrenchment. During its history, Western also has had the distinc tion of operating one of the few noncontiguous route systems. In addition, the territory served by the Western network has changed radically since the airline's formative period. Before embarking on a description and an analysis of Western's network development, it is necessary to discuss a number of factors that have had potent influence on the spatial evolution of this and other American airlines. Many of these factors lay beyond the decision-making capacity of individual companies. Federal regulation ranks prime among these factors influencing network development. By awarding contracts for carrying mail be tween specified cities, the federal government became responsible for the routes flown by the pioneer air carriers. Western was one of twelve companies to bid successfully on the initial air mail contracts offered in 1926. Although these contracts were crucial to the survival