1947 United Air Lines Coast to Coast System Map
DESCRIPTION
A handsome postwar airline brochure celebrating United Air Lines' expansion into the four-engine era, combining a colorful pictorial route map with stylish advertising that captures the optimism of American air travel in the late 1940s.
The Main Line Airway
The centerpiece of this folding brochure is a striking pictorial system map showing United Air Lines' coast-to-coast network. Thick red routes connect major cities while small illustrations highlight the industries, landscapes, wildlife, and landmarks associated with each region. Lumbering, ranching, mining, manufacturing, and agriculture are all represented, creating a visual portrait of mid-century America.
Particularly noteworthy is the inclusion of proposed future routes and the network of LAMSA (Líneas Aéreas Mexicanas, S.A.), United's Mexican subsidiary. Small aircraft departing toward Europe, Africa, Hawaii, and Latin America emphasize the growing international reach of commercial aviation.
United's Four-Engined Mainliners
The reverse promotes two of United's greatest selling points: modern aircraft and onboard service. An elegant stewardess presents a full meal beneath the slogan "Finest Meals Aloft!", reflecting an era when airlines competed heavily on hospitality and dining.
The brochure also highlights United's new fleet of four-engine "Mainliners." The aircraft depicted appears to be a Douglas DC-4, one of the principal transports operated by United after World War II. These aircraft offered greater comfort, reliability, and range, helping transform airline travel into a practical option for both business and leisure passengers.
CONDITION
1200 W. 35th Street #425 Chicago, IL 60609 | P: (312) 496 - 3622