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Come Fly with Me: The Rise and Fall of Trans World Airlines
The only comprehensive history of TWA and its predecessors.
This book recounts how three larger-than-life personalities—Charles Lindbergh, Howard Hughes, and Carl Icahn—shaped the history of Trans World Airlines (TWA) and determined its fate. It’s the story of how powerful, strong-willed individuals created and ultimately destroyed an American icon that had deep roots in Kansas City and St. Louis, Missouri. Come Fly with Me traces the airline from its origins in the 1920s to the twenty-first century. By using unprecedented access to the entire TWA corporate archives and interviewing key business leaders, the authors have crafted a compelling tale of a corporation, an industry, and an era.
This book recounts how three larger-than-life personalities—Charles Lindbergh, Howard Hughes, and Carl Icahn—shaped the history of Trans World Airlines (TWA) and determined its fate. It’s the story of how powerful, strong-willed individuals created and ultimately destroyed an American icon that had deep roots in Kansas City and St. Louis, Missouri. Come Fly with Me traces the airline from its origins in the 1920s to the twenty-first century. By using unprecedented access to the entire TWA corporate archives and interviewing key business leaders, the authors have crafted a compelling tale of a corporation, an industry, and an era.
320 pages, Paperback
Published November 2, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
May 26, 2025
I found the book at a St. Louis bookstore last February and decided to purchase it. I know both authors from being with them in the Missouri Aviation Historical Society, so any favoritism towards them and this book is noted.
Rust and Hoffman have written a well-researched, authoritative, yet very readable account of Trans World Airlines (TWA), from its founding as Western Air Express (WAE) in 1925, its merger with Transcontinental Air Transport (TAT) in 1930 to form Transcontinental and Western Air (TWA), its rebranding as Trans World Airlines in 1950, until its merger with American Airlines in 2001.
The book tells of the triumphs and tragedies the airline experienced, from advances in aviation technology and customer service, through air disasters and corporate turmoil. The result is an account of TWA that assesses its place in the history of air travel. Although the name disappeared from history 24 years ago, TWA has occupied a strong place in the development if not only US airlines, but the world's airlines as well.
This book is highly recommended to air travel fans and aviation history buffs.
Rust and Hoffman have written a well-researched, authoritative, yet very readable account of Trans World Airlines (TWA), from its founding as Western Air Express (WAE) in 1925, its merger with Transcontinental Air Transport (TAT) in 1930 to form Transcontinental and Western Air (TWA), its rebranding as Trans World Airlines in 1950, until its merger with American Airlines in 2001.
The book tells of the triumphs and tragedies the airline experienced, from advances in aviation technology and customer service, through air disasters and corporate turmoil. The result is an account of TWA that assesses its place in the history of air travel. Although the name disappeared from history 24 years ago, TWA has occupied a strong place in the development if not only US airlines, but the world's airlines as well.
This book is highly recommended to air travel fans and aviation history buffs.
June 24, 2026
Come Fly with Me offers a fascinating and thoroughly researched history of one of America’s most iconic airlines.
Drawing on extensive archival material and interviews with key figures, Daniel L. Rust and Alan B. Hoffman trace the rise, success, struggles, and eventual collapse of Trans World Airlines. The book skillfully combines aviation history with business history, showing how influential personalities such as Charles Lindbergh, Howard Hughes, and Carl Icahn shaped the company’s trajectory across decades.
What makes the book especially engaging is its ability to place TWA’s story within the broader evolution of commercial aviation in the United States. The authors capture both the glamour of air travel’s golden age and the complex economic and managerial challenges that transformed the airline industry.
Informative, well documented, and highly readable, this is an excellent book for anyone interested in aviation, transportation history, business leadership, or twentieth century American history.
Drawing on extensive archival material and interviews with key figures, Daniel L. Rust and Alan B. Hoffman trace the rise, success, struggles, and eventual collapse of Trans World Airlines. The book skillfully combines aviation history with business history, showing how influential personalities such as Charles Lindbergh, Howard Hughes, and Carl Icahn shaped the company’s trajectory across decades.
What makes the book especially engaging is its ability to place TWA’s story within the broader evolution of commercial aviation in the United States. The authors capture both the glamour of air travel’s golden age and the complex economic and managerial challenges that transformed the airline industry.
Informative, well documented, and highly readable, this is an excellent book for anyone interested in aviation, transportation history, business leadership, or twentieth century American history.
February 16, 2025
4.5 ⭐️ Thoroughly enjoyable and accessible history of an iconic American trailblazer.
October 6, 2025
Well researched history of TWA, but also a look into the world of air travel before pressurized jets, and the glamour of travel in the 50s and 60s. Great read.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews