Air Canada began in April 1937 by the Canadian government. It was originally called Trans Canada Air Lines (TCA) and was created as a subsidiary of Canadian National Railway (CNR). In September of that year flights between Vancouver and Seattle began with a Lockheed 10A twin, piloted by Billy Wells and Maurice McGregor. The 122 miles to Seattle was flown in 50 minutes. That translates into a flying speed of 146 miles per hour. Or 235 kilometers per hour in Canada or a nautical speed of 127 international nautical miles per hour. On board the aircraft were two passengers (not named) and mail (air mail being a popular way for many early airlines getting started).
A domestic route network was soon established.
The first stewardesses, Lucille Garner and Pat Eccleston, were hired in July of 1938. The requirements of the time? A stewardess had to be unmarried, a registered nurse, and under five feet five inches.
Flights across Canada started in April of 1939 with passenger service from Vancouver to Montreal and points in-between. The company proclaimed the service as a "fast, daily, time-saving service with twin-motored, ten passenger Lockheed 14s, the world's fastest commercial plane with normal flying speeds of up to 180 mph."
With the introduction of this transcontinental service the flying time between Montreal and the West Coast was cut to fifteen hours, "weather permitting." stops were made at Ottawa, North Bay, Kapuskasing, Winnipeg, Regina, and Lethbridge before flying across the Rockies and into Vancouver on the last, challenging leg of the journey.
During World War II TCA flew regular flights to Scotland using converted Avro Lancaster ('Lancastrian') bombers. During the war, the basic transcontinental structure was kept intact awaiting the return of peace. Meanwhile the airline trained RCAF pilots and flew a transatlantic air service for the Canadian Government. For this service to the government TCA used a specially converted Lancaster. In July 1943 the airline flew its first Canada-to-Britain non-stop flight. 2,600 lbs. of military mail and three official passengers made this historic journey.
After the war routes to Germany and other international routes were added. Like other airlines, Trans Canada used Douglas DC-3s, Lockheed Constellations and L-1049 Super Constellations, Canadair North Stars, and Bristol 170 Freighters.
In April 1960 Trans Canada took delivery of a Douglas DC-8 to enter the modern jet age. Air Canada used the DC-8s to replace the Super Connies.
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