Eastern Air Lines

Eastern Air Lines began in 1926 and last flew on January 18, 1991. Aviation pioneer Harold Pitcairn was the founder. He built airplanes and began the first carrier air mail route from New York to Atlanta under his company, Pitcairn Aviation. In 1929, Pitcairn was sold to Clement Keys of National Air Transport for $2.5 million. Keys changed the name to Eastern Air Transport and began passenger service the next year.