Customer Reviews

Howard Hughes' Airline: An Informal History of TWA

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In Howard Hughes' Airline, Serling captures the enduring spirit of Trans World Airlines. This book, resulting from numerous employee interviews, is able to give the reader excellent insight into why TWA is so special after 75 years in the air. From the eccentricities of Howard Robard Hughes to the genius of Jack Frye, this inside look at the world's greatest airline is sure to interest anyone from the casual historian to the aviation buff.

I purchased this book for my husband and at first I was shcoked to see the original price for this book was ($$$), well, this is very hard to find and my husband is really enjoying this. For someone who is or was a TWA employee, if you are one of the loyal ones, interested in the history of TWA you will enjoy this book.

Serling's book seems to be written mostly from interviews conducted during various TWA employee reunions. He calls it an "informal history", but it's more of a gossip fest. Don't plan on using this book for a term paper. However, anyone interested in TWA or Howard Hughes will find a wealth of anecdotal insights from within the operation, as recalled by people who were there. It is fun, although at times, labored reading.

Very complete ( until 1983, the year it was published ) history of Trans World Airlines, of which billionaire Howard Hughes owned 78%. The book goes into all the management and financial struggles of the company over the decades, but also touches on different models of aircraft operated by TWA, as well as their development and aquisition. A fine history on a giant that, unfortunately, no longer exists, this is A MUST for aviation history buffs !!!!!!

Inside story of how the little airline TAT grew and became the world-wide force of Trans World Airlines. Considered by some to be the top of the line, was often featured in movies.

Chronicles the men that headed the company giving Jack Fry his place in history. Also included the mechanical problems that would dog the industry from time to time, Knute Rockne went down on one of their planes.

Then, Howard Hughes purchases the company and it becomes like his own little toy as he will call the people in charge at any time of the day or night. It covers his attempt to corner the market on jet engines and his on-going efforts to get enough money to keep the company solvent. It was said that he knew the cost of everything but didn't know the value of anything as he argued with bankers from his hospital bed about the already discount loan rate they were giving him.

Eventually things could not continue to go on like that and it was taken away from him.

Permission to have the international routes were a constant problem.

It says that at the end of his life he tried to get the company back, before he passed away.

My father worked for TWA for many years back when it was a great airline and was still flying. With the passing of Mr. Serling, I decided I had better find this book and read it to add to the stories my father had told me. I'm still reading and enjoying it, and I'm certain it will be a great addition to my library. Additionally, my father and I will have more to discuss when we're together!