Central Airlines History: Fort Worth's Local Airline (1949–1967) – Airline Employee Shop

Central Airlines History

Central Airlines started with single-engine Bonanzas in Oklahoma and grew into a Fort Worth-based local airline serving about 40 cities in six states before merging into Frontier in 1967. Here's a short history of Central, plus the Central Airlines collection that celebrates it.

An Oklahoma idea (1944–1949)

Central was founded in 1944 by Oklahoma City aviation entrepreneur Keith Kahle. Backers included oilman F. Kirk Johnson and actor Jimmy Stewart, who served on the board for many years. The Civil Aeronautics Board granted a certificate for service in Oklahoma and Texas in 1946, but financing problems delayed the start. Scheduled flights finally began on September 15, 1949, with an inaugural run from Fort Worth to Oklahoma City via Dallas and Gainesville, Texas.

Bonanzas to DC-3s (1949–1960)

The first fleet was single-engine Beechcraft Bonanzas, which served small Oklahoma towns such as Ardmore, Ada, Muskogee, Stillwater, Enid and Woodward. Douglas DC-3s entered service in November 1950, and the Bonanzas were phased out as more DC-3s arrived. Central earned four straight National Safety Council aviation safety awards from 1950 to 1953.

Fort Worth and the Convairs (1961–1967)

In 1961 the head office moved to Amon Carter Field in Fort Worth, later renamed Greater Southwest International Airport. Central added Convair 240s, and from 1965 they were converted into Convair 600s with Rolls-Royce Dart turboprop engines. The network grew to reach Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma and Texas. A proposed merger with Ozark Air Lines was explored in 1966 but called off.

Merger into Frontier (1967)

On October 1, 1967, Central merged into the original Frontier Airlines of Denver. At the time it flew Convair 600 turboprops and DC-3s on routes from Denver to Kansas City and St. Louis and south to Tulsa, Oklahoma City, Dallas and Fort Worth. DC-9 jets it had planned were never delivered.

A few things collectors love

  • Hollywood star Jimmy Stewart was one of Central's backers and directors.
  • The Oklahoma Historical Society notes Central never had a fatal accident.
  • Its Convair 600s were Convair 240s rebuilt with Rolls-Royce Dart turboprops.

Shop Central Airlines

Browse Central Airlines logo T-shirts, coffee mugs, coasters, tote bags and vintage designs in the Central Airlines collection. Add an airline bag tag or key tag for the Texas or Oklahoma flyer in your life.

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