Some of the first flights in American’s long history lifted cargo, not people. In 1926, Charles Lindbergh flew a bag of mail in his DH-4 biplane from Chicago to St. Louis. Lindbergh’s aviation company consolidated with others to form American Airlines in 1934. Above is Lindbergh with his DH-4 in 1928. Credit: Boston Public Library.

American’s first fleet boasted planes from aviation designer and manufacturer Donald Douglas. Using propeller engines, these planes made possible cross-country routes, such as the non-stop New York to Chicago flight in this 1937 advertisement. Credit: National Air and Space Museum Archives.

The DC-3 was one of the most successful planes of its time, with increased speed and range that made it a highly effective flying machine. Interestingly, it was a call from American Airlines CEO C. R. Smith in 1934 that convinced airplane designer Donald Douglas to create the DC-3. Courtesy National Air and Space Museum Archives.

In 1953, American expanded its fleet with the Douglas DC-7 and became the first airline to offer coast-to-coast service, non-stop from New York to Los Angeles. Though phased out as a passenger plane with the advent of turbine engines, American continued to use the DC-7 as a cargo plane. Pictured above is the DC-7 Flagship Missouri. Courtesy National Air and Space Museum Archives.

In the tense social atmosphere of 1964, American set an example for the country and hired Dave Harris, the first African-American pilot to fly for a major carrier.

Also in 1964, American hired Joan Dorsey, the first African-American flight attendant.