Aeromarine West Indies Airways
Encyclopedia
The original Aeromarine West Indies Airways, was formed by a merger between Florida West Indies Airways and Aeromarine Sightseeing and Navigation Company (a subsidiary of the Aeromarine airplane manufacturing company) and was one of the first international airlines in the United States. It commenced operations on 1 November 1920 with a flight from Key West to Havana, and operated flying boat
s from the US mainland to the Bahamas and Cuba
. Transporting passengers, mail, and freight safely and successfully beginning in 1921, it was forced to cease operations in early 1924 due to a freeze on mail contracts by the US Postal Service.
It was reorganized as Aeromarine Airways in spring of 1921. Aeromarine enjoyed many firsts - the first U.S. international air mail service and first scheduled U.S. international passenger service (Key West to Havana, November 1, 1920); first total service U.S. airline (passenger, mail, express cargo); first in-flight movie (Chicago, August 1921); first airline baggage label (1921); and the first U.S. airline ticket office (Cleveland, July 1922). Its slogan was 'Speed Safety Comfort' as can be seen on this poster.
The "rebirth" of Aeromarine West Indies Airways occurred in February 2007 when it was reformed and incorporated in the State of Florida (State of Florida Corporation # P07000026223). Aeromarine West Indies Airways Corporation has applied for its FAA Part 121 Air Carrier Certificate and intends to begin operations, flying vintage flyingboats and/or propliners, within the next five years. Aeromarine's first intended route being from St. Augustine, to Palm Beach, to Key West. In January 2009 Aeromarine purchased a 1920's style coastal steamship, the CSS (Coastal Steam Ship) "Seminole Wind", to be based in St. Augustine Florida and serve as a floating terminal and tender for seaplane operations. Plans are also underway to open a cafe and shops onboard to be open to the general public. Aeromarine's tag-line is: "Aeromarine West Indies Airways... The return of an airline that offers the romance and adventure of a bygone age!"
Flying boat
A flying boat is a fixed-winged seaplane with a hull, allowing it to land on water. It differs from a float plane as it uses a purpose-designed fuselage which can float, granting the aircraft buoyancy. Flying boats may be stabilized by under-wing floats or by wing-like projections from the fuselage...
s from the US mainland to the Bahamas and Cuba
Cuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
. Transporting passengers, mail, and freight safely and successfully beginning in 1921, it was forced to cease operations in early 1924 due to a freeze on mail contracts by the US Postal Service.
It was reorganized as Aeromarine Airways in spring of 1921. Aeromarine enjoyed many firsts - the first U.S. international air mail service and first scheduled U.S. international passenger service (Key West to Havana, November 1, 1920); first total service U.S. airline (passenger, mail, express cargo); first in-flight movie (Chicago, August 1921); first airline baggage label (1921); and the first U.S. airline ticket office (Cleveland, July 1922). Its slogan was 'Speed Safety Comfort' as can be seen on this poster.
The "rebirth" of Aeromarine West Indies Airways occurred in February 2007 when it was reformed and incorporated in the State of Florida (State of Florida Corporation # P07000026223). Aeromarine West Indies Airways Corporation has applied for its FAA Part 121 Air Carrier Certificate and intends to begin operations, flying vintage flyingboats and/or propliners, within the next five years. Aeromarine's first intended route being from St. Augustine, to Palm Beach, to Key West. In January 2009 Aeromarine purchased a 1920's style coastal steamship, the CSS (Coastal Steam Ship) "Seminole Wind", to be based in St. Augustine Florida and serve as a floating terminal and tender for seaplane operations. Plans are also underway to open a cafe and shops onboard to be open to the general public. Aeromarine's tag-line is: "Aeromarine West Indies Airways... The return of an airline that offers the romance and adventure of a bygone age!"