The aviation industry has witnessed remarkable growth since its inception, and certain airlines have adapted to changing times, becoming symbols of resilience and innovation. Below is a comprehensive list of the 20 oldest airlines that are still in operation, along with their key achievements and contributions to aviation history.
| Rank | Airline | Founded Year | Headquarters | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | British Airways | 1916 | London, United Kingdom | Oldest airline, pioneering aviation; privatized in 1987, with 214 global destinations. |
| 2 | KLM | 1919 | Amsterdam, Netherlands | Oldest operating airline under its original name, innovating long-haul routes. |
| 3 | Avianca | 1919 | Bogotá, Colombia | Oldest airline in the Americas, connecting remote regions and thriving post-bankruptcy. |
| 4 | Qantas | 1920 | Sydney, Australia | Known as the “Spirit of Australia,” played a key role during WWII. |
| 5 | Aeroflot | 1923 | Moscow, Russia | Former Soviet-era giant turned modern carrier, connecting 109 destinations. |
| 6 | Finnair | 1923 | Helsinki, Finland | Played a vital role during wartime and became a Europe-Asia travel leader. |
| 7 | Delta Airlines | 1925 | Atlanta, United States | From crop dusting to one of the world’s largest airlines, with 986 aircraft. |
| 8 | United Airlines | 1926 | Chicago, United States | An aviation pioneer, merging with Continental Airlines to grow globally. |
| 9 | American Airlines | 1926 | Fort Worth, United States | Largest airline by fleet size, introducing loyalty programs and booking tech innovations. |
| 10 | Lufthansa | 1926 | Frankfurt, Germany | Leading European airline, known for acquisitions and a robust international network. |
| 11 | Iberia | 1927 | Madrid, Spain | Merged with British Airways in 2011 while preserving its Spanish heritage. |
| 12 | Air Serbia | 1927 | Belgrade, Serbia | Formerly Aeroput, rebranded with Etihad Airways’ investment in 2013. |
| 13 | LOT Polish Airlines | 1929 | Warsaw, Poland | Eastern Europe’s aviation leader, operating globally with Boeing jets. |
| 14 | Hawaiian Airlines | 1929 | Honolulu, Hawaii, United States | Largest carrier in Hawaii, focusing on trans-Pacific routes. |
| 15 | LATAM Airlines | 1929 | Santiago, Chile | South America’s largest airline group, formed by merging LAN and TAM Airlines. |
| 16 | Alaska Airlines | 1932 | Seattle, United States | Evolved from McGee Airways, expanding after acquiring Virgin America in 2016. |
| 17 | Air India | 1932 | Mumbai, India | Tata Group-founded carrier, renowned for its Maharajah mascot and Indian hospitality. |
| 18 | Turkish Airlines | 1933 | Istanbul, Turkey | Largest network by destinations globally, covering 278 cities in 121 countries. |
| 19 | Air France | 1933 | Paris, France | Merged with KLM in 2004; iconic Concorde operator and industry leader. |
| 20 | Aeromexico | 1934 | Mexico City, Mexico | Mexico’s flagship airline, modernized post-bankruptcy with global ambitions. |
1. British Airways (BA)
Founded: 1916
Headquarters: London, United Kingdom
British Airways began as Aircraft Transport and Travel Ltd., operating the world’s first daily international scheduled air service between London and Paris in 1919. After significant mergers in 1974, it became a global leader, later privatized in 1987. British Airways operates a fleet of 297 aircraft and connects 214 destinations worldwide.
2. KLM Royal Dutch Airlines (KL)
Founded: 1919
Headquarters: Amsterdam, Netherlands
The oldest airline still operating under its original name, KLM, launched its first flight from Amsterdam to London in 1920. It merged with Air France in 2004 while retaining its identity. KLM serves 164 destinations with 111 aircraft in its fleet.
3. Avianca (AV)
Founded: 1919
Headquarters: Bogotá, Colombia
Initially founded as SCADTA, Avianca is the oldest continuously operating airline in the Americas. Known for connecting remote regions with seaplanes, Avianca overcame economic challenges and now links 81 destinations with a modern fleet of 126 aircraft.
4. Qantas Airways (QF)
Founded: 1920
Headquarters: Sydney, Australia
Established as Queensland and Northern Territory Aerial Services, Qantas played a pivotal role during WWII. It is now Australia’s largest airline, operating 101 destinations with a fleet of 125 aircraft.
5. Aeroflot (SU)
Founded: 1923
Headquarters: Moscow, Russia
Once the Soviet Union’s flagship carrier, Aeroflot managed the world’s largest civilian fleet in the 1980s. Post-Soviet Union, it modernized into a global airline, currently connecting 109 destinations with 171 aircraft.
6. Finnair (AY)
Founded: 1923
Headquarters: Helsinki, Finland
Finnair began operations during wartime and pioneered polar routes to Asia in the 1980s. With a fleet of 80 aircraft, it connects 103 destinations globally, playing a key role in European and Asian aviation.
7. Delta Air Lines (DL)
Founded: 1925
Headquarters: Atlanta, United States
Starting as a crop-dusting operation, Delta expanded through major acquisitions to become one of the largest airlines globally. It flies to 311 destinations with a fleet of 986 aircraft.
8. United Airlines (UA)
Founded: 1926
Headquarters: Chicago, United States
United Airlines originated from Varney Air Lines and Boeing Air Transport. Known for pioneering in-flight kitchens, it merged with Continental Airlines in 2010 and now operates 360 destinations with 992 aircraft.
9. American Airlines (AA)
Founded: 1926
Headquarters: Fort Worth, United States
Emerging from 82 small airlines, American Airlines introduced the first loyalty program (AAdvantage) and computerized booking system. With 977 aircraft, it connects 356 destinations worldwide.
10. Lufthansa (LH)
Founded: 1926
Headquarters: Frankfurt, Germany
Reformed after WWII, Lufthansa has grown through strategic acquisitions of carriers like Swiss International Air Lines. It operates 320 aircraft and links 197 destinations.
11. Iberia (IB)
Founded: 1927
Headquarters: Madrid, Spain
Iberia played a crucial role in Spain’s aviation development and merged with British Airways in 2011. It serves 135 destinations with 95 aircraft.
12. Air Serbia (JU)
Founded: 1927
Headquarters: Belgrade, Serbia
Initially Aeroput, Air Serbia rebranded in 2013 following investment from Etihad Airways. It operates 27 aircraft, connecting 80 destinations.
13. LOT Polish Airlines (LO)
Founded: 1929
Headquarters: Warsaw, Poland
LOT survived WWII and became the first Eastern European operator of Boeing aircraft. With 86 aircraft, it links 90 destinations worldwide.
14. Hawaiian Airlines (HA)
Founded: 1929
Headquarters: Honolulu, Hawaii, United States
Initially providing sightseeing flights, Hawaiian Airlines now focuses on trans-Pacific routes, connecting 31 destinations with 70 aircraft.
15. LATAM Airlines (LA)
Founded: 1929
Headquarters: Santiago, Chile
Formed by the merger of LAN and TAM Airlines, LATAM is South America’s largest airline group. It operates 343 aircraft, linking 156 destinations.
16. Alaska Airlines (AS)
Founded: 1932
Headquarters: Seattle, United States
From its beginnings as McGee Airways, Alaska Airlines grew into a major West Coast carrier, acquiring Virgin America in 2016. It operates 323 aircraft, connecting 129 destinations.
17. Air India (AI)
Founded: 1932
Headquarters: Mumbai, India
Starting as Tata Air Services, Air India became a symbol of Indian aviation. It was privatized in 2022, returning to the Tata Group. It connects 92 destinations with 205 aircraft.
18. Turkish Airlines (TK)
Founded: 1933
Headquarters: Istanbul, Turkey
Known for serving the most destinations globally, Turkish Airlines operates 373 aircraft, connecting 278 locations across 121 countries.
19. Air France (AF)
Founded: 1933
Headquarters: Paris, France
Air France played a major role in Europe’s aviation history, operating Concorde flights and merging with KLM in 2004. It connects 197 destinations with 226 aircraft.
20. Aeromexico (AM)
Founded: 1934
Headquarters: Mexico City, Mexico
Aeromexico expanded internationally in the 1950s and joined SkyTeam in 2000. It connects 97 destinations with 114 aircraft.
The histories of these airlines are a testament to their resilience and ability to innovate. From humble beginnings as mail carriers to global aviation leaders, these airlines continue to connect the world, symbolizing progress and endurance in the aviation industry.
