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The Original Piedmont: Southeast America's Pioneering Regional Carrier
Founded
1948
Headquarters
Winston-Salem, United States
Piedmont Airlines was founded in 1948 by Thomas H. Davis and began operations on February 20, 1948, serving the Carolinas, Virginia, and surrounding southeastern United States. Based in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, the airline grew from a small regional carrier into a significant domestic airline over four decades of operation.
Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, Piedmont expanded its route network considerably, modernizing its fleet and connecting smaller southeastern cities to major hubs. The airline became known for its friendly service and reliable operations across the region.
Following deregulation of the U.S. airline industry in 1978, Piedmont aggressively expanded and eventually merged with PSA (Pacific Southwest Airlines) after both were acquired by USAir. In 1989, Piedmont Airlines was fully merged into USAir, ending its independent identity after 41 years of operation.
Hubs & network
Piedmont Airlines primarily operated hubs at Charlotte/Douglas International Airport and operated significant service through Dayton International Airport after its 1979 acquisition of Henson Airlines routes.
Fleet
Piedmont operated a variety of aircraft over its history including the DC-3, Martin 4-0-4, Fokker F27 Friendship, Boeing 727, Boeing 737, and Boeing 767.
Notable facts
- ›Founded by Thomas H. Davis, Piedmont began scheduled service on February 20, 1948.
- ›Piedmont was one of the first airlines to use the Boeing 767 widebody aircraft on domestic routes.
- ›The airline acquired Henson Airlines in 1983, expanding its regional feeder network.
- ›Piedmont was acquired by USAir in 1987 and fully merged into that carrier by 1989.
- ›At its peak, Piedmont was one of the largest regional carriers in the eastern United States.
This profile is provided for general information only. Contact details may be inaccurate or outdated — always verify with the airline's official website before acting on them.
