We all know that the Wright brothers' completed the first successful flight in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina in 1903. Although it was amazing and awe inspiring, the public thought of it as more of an anomaly as opposed to being a real option for travel.
The first major funding of aviation study and activity was with the US involvement in World War I. However, after the war the government stopped all funding for research and development.
The American interest was finally piqued upon Charles Lindberg's successful solo flight across the Atlantic Ocean. This is the first time that there was such a huge interest in flying and the general public looked at it as a real option for transportation.
After this time, then began the emergence of air transport holding companies including the pioneer Aviation Corporation. The air transportation division of this pioneer company was originally penned American Airways which later evolved into American Airlines. American Airlines is still in existence today and is one of the largest carriers.
Today there are literally hundreds of airlines to choose from that can fly you from one continent to the next relatively easily. Flying as a mode of travel is not considered weird anymore but is actually preferred by some. The airline industry has, and continues, to evolve as the years go on.
