Sky King Airlines is one of the oldest and most well-known airlines in the United States. Founded in 1929, Sky King has been providing air transportation services to customers for almost a century. During this time, the airline has gone through many changes and seen many important milestones.

Sky King was founded by airline pioneer Arthur “Sky King” Smith in 1929. Smith had started his aviation career as a barnstormer, flying a Curtiss JN-4 “Jenny” biplane. After World War I, Smith started his own airline, Smith Air, which was later rebranded as Sky King. The airline began operations with two Curtiss JN-4 biplanes, which were used to transport goods and passengers.

The airline soon expanded its fleet and began operating larger aircraft. In 1937, Sky King purchased a fleet of Douglas DC-3 aircraft, the first of which was named the “Sky King Express”. The DC-3s became the backbone of Sky King’s fleet. During World War II, the airline leased its DC-3s to the U.S. Army Air Corps for use in the Pacific theater.

In 1945, Sky King purchased a fleet of Lockheed Constellations, which were used to expand its domestic and international routes. The Constellations were used until the late 1950s when they were replaced by Boeing 707s and Douglas DC-8s. Sky King was one of the first airlines to introduce jet aircraft into its fleet.

Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, Sky King continued to expand its fleet with the introduction of larger aircraft such as the Boeing 727, 737, and 747. The airline also expanded its international routes, offering new routes to destinations in Europe, Asia, and South America.

In the late 1970s, Sky King experienced several financial difficulties due to rising fuel costs and increased competition from other airlines. The airline was forced to make deep cuts to its staff, fleet, and routes. In 1979, Sky King filed for bankruptcy and was acquired by Continental Airlines.

Continental operated Sky King as a regional airline for a few years before finally shutting down operations in 1984. Despite Sky King’s demise, the airline left an important legacy in the aviation industry. It was one of the first airlines to offer jet service and opened up many international routes.

Sky King also had a few unfortunate incidents during its time in operation. In 1957, a Sky King DC-3 crashed in Utah, killing all 18 passengers and crew on board. In 1976, a Sky King 727 crashed near Denver, Colorado, killing all 82 people on board. The airline was also the focus of a federal investigation in 1982, when it was accused of price fixing.

Sky King Airlines may no longer be in operation, but its legacy still lives on. The airline was one of the pioneers of air travel and helped to shape the aviation industry as we know it today. From its humble beginnings with two Curtiss JN-4 biplanes to its final days as a regional carrier, Sky King Airlines had an important and lasting impact on the history of aviation.