American Overseas Airlines - AOA

formerly
American Export Airlines

USA

*

American Overseas Airlines had its origins in American Export Airlines, set up in 1937 by the shipping company American Export Lines with the intention of starting North Atlantic services. Eventually, after the U.S.A. had entered the war and after stiff resistance from Pan American, American Export was able to start (June 1942) a flying boat service between New York and Ireland. During 1945, when American Export was awarded transatlantic rights covering northern Europe including London, the airline had to cut its strings with the shipping industry. Thus, in November 1945, American Export Airlines became American Overseas Airlines (AOA), following the merger with the Transatlantic Division of American Airlines. Working closely with AA for a few years, and benefitting from that airline's domestic connections (with U.S. timetables being issued as AA "Transatlantic" or "Overseas" services), AOA and Pan American agreed to merge in 1950, with AOA disappearing into Pan American during the autumn.

*

American Export Airlines
May 15, 1945
(From the collection of Craig Morris)
Click for a view of the interior

BL

American Airlines
February 19, 1946
"Transatlantic Service" (= AOA routes)
(AOA system)
Click to view the complete timetable

BL

March 1947
European edition
(System)
Click to view the complete timetable

September 1947
European edition
(System)
(From the collection of Don Henchel)

BL

November 1947
European edition
(System)
Click to view the complete timetable

BL

April 1, 1948
European edition
(System)

American Airlines
July 1, 1948
"Transatlantic Service" (= AOA routes)
(AOA system)
(From the collection of Antonio Bordoni)
Click to view the complete timetable

July 1, 1948
European edition
(System)
(From the collection of Frank J. Lichtanski)

BL

November 1, 1948
European edition
(System)
Click to view the complete timetable

BL

February 1, 1949
European edition
(System)
Click to view the complete timetable (these images from the collection of Antonio Bordoni)

BL BL BL

May 1, June 1 and July 1, 1949
European editions
(System)
Click to view the complete June 1 timetable
Click for larger view including the back cover of the July timetable

BL

American Airlines
November 15, 1949
"Overseas Service" (= AOA routes)
(AOA system)
Click to view the complete timetable

January 10, 1950
European edition
(System)
(From the collection of Antonio Bordoni)
Click for larger view including the back cover as well as views of the interior (schedule part is complete)

BL

August 1, 1950
European edition
(System)
Click to view the complete timetable

*

For quick comparison with other AOA timetables,
visit the AOA page of Perry Sloan's "AirTimes" site.

*

This page last updated December 14, 2024.