Ozark Air Lines History: St. Louis' Three Swallows Airline – Airline Employee Shop

Ozark Air Lines History

Ozark Air Lines grew from a 1940s Missouri startup into the St. Louis-based "three swallows" airline of the Midwest, before joining TWA in 1986. Here's a short history of Ozark, plus the Ozark Air Lines collection that celebrates it.

Missouri beginnings (1943-1950)

Ozark Air Lines was founded in Missouri in 1943, with its roots in Springfield. It flew small aircraft in the mid-1940s. Postwar regulation then stalled the company, which was left out when the government first handed out local service routes in the region.

The DC-3 years (1950-1965)

Ozark finally won its routes and began scheduled service on September 26, 1950, flying Douglas DC-3s between St. Louis and Chicago. Lambert Field in St. Louis became its headquarters and main hub for the rest of its life. Fairchild turboprops, including the FH-227, and Martin 4-0-4s joined the fleet over the following years.

Jets and growth (1966-1985)

Ozark's first jets, Douglas DC-9s, entered service in July 1966. For a while DC-9s flew the busy hub routes while DC-3s still served small towns such as Peoria, Ottumwa and Kirksville. In time Ozark flew Douglas twin jets only. By 1985 its fleet of DC-9s and MD-82s gave it a strong position in St. Louis alongside TWA.

Joining TWA (1986)

In 1986 TWA agreed to buy Ozark. The Department of Transportation approved the deal on September 12, 1986, and Ozark disappeared into TWA in late October 1986. TWA itself was merged into American Airlines in December 2001. The Ozark name was revived in 2000 by a separate regional airline flying Dornier 328JETs, but it lasted only about a year.

A few things collectors love

  • The three swallows on the tail stood for on-time flights, a nod to the swallows that return to San Juan Capistrano each year.
  • The September 1950 DC-3 flight that launched scheduled service between St. Louis and Chicago.
  • A DC-3 fleet that kept flying alongside DC-9 jets into the late 1960s.

Shop Ozark Air Lines

Browse Ozark Air Lines logo T-shirts, coffee mugs, coasters, tote bags and vintage designs in the Ozark Air Lines collection. Add an airline bag tag or key tag for a Midwest classic on your next trip.

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