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{{update|date=September 2023}}
[[File:Mural for Trans Caribbean Airways in San Juan Puerto Rico.jpg|thumb|right|San Juan Building with TCA logo]]
{{Short description|Small US airline flying to the Caribbean 1945–1971}}
'''Trans Caribbean Airways''' was a United States airline owned by [[O. Roy Chalk]]. Its hub was [[San Juan, Puerto Rico]]. Founded in 1945, it was acquired by [[American Airlines]] in 1971.<ref>[http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,878185,00.html Mating Season], ''Time'', February 2, 1970</ref> Its headquarters was located in [[Midtown Manhattan]], [[New York City]].<ref>"World Airline Directory." ''[[Flight International]]''. March 26, 1970. [http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1970/1970%20-%200554.html?search="Trans Caribbean" 504].</ref>
{{Infobox airline
| airline = Trans Caribbean Airways
| image = Mural for Trans Caribbean Airways in San Juan Puerto Rico.jpg
| image_size = 175
| IATA = TR
| ICAO = -
| callsign = -
| founded = May 18, 1945 <small>(as Trans Caribbean Air Cargo Lines)</small>
| commenced = December 1945
| ceased = March 3, 1971 <small> (Purchased by [[American Airlines]])</small>
| aoc =
| hubs = [[Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport]]
| secondary_hubs =
| focus_cities =
| frequent_flyer =
| alliance =
| subsidiaries =
| fleet_size = 9
| destinations = 9 <small>(by July 7, 1969)</small>
| parent =
| headquarters = [[New York, New York]]
| key_people = [[O. Roy Chalk]]
| website =
}}


'''Trans Caribbean Airways''' (TCA) was an [[irregular air carrier]] (United States charter airline) until 1957, when it was certificated by the [[Civil Aeronautics Board]] as an [[Civil Aeronautics Board#International air carrier|international air carrier]] to fly from [[New York City]] to [[San Juan, Puerto Rico]]. TCA thereafter operated as a small scheduled airline specializing in flying from New York (and later [[Washington, DC]]) to the Caribbean, adding a small number of additional routes over time until it was purchased by [[American Airlines]] in 1971.
The main headquarters for Trans Caribbean Airways was in New York for most of the time until it was acquired by American Airlines on March 3, 1971. There was a building in San Juan that was owned by TCA and has a full wall done in tile with the TCA logo.{{Citation needed|date=January 2010}}


TCA was founded and, for its entire existence controlled, by businessman [[O. Roy Chalk]].
The female flight attendants wore an unusual uniform hat for a U.S. carrier; it was supposed to be a copy of the Spanish Cordobes hat the color Blue trim in Aqua. It represented the Spanish influence of the Caribbean islands. The uniform was designed by Mrs. O. Roy Chalk, wife of the owner. The last paint job on the tail of the aircraft was a navy blue with an orange palm tree.{{Citation needed|date=January 2010}}


==Name==
At the time of its acquisition by American Airlines, Trans Caribbean was operating a small fleet of [[Douglas DC-8]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dc-8jet.com/trc-dc8-fleet-info1.htm |title=Archived copy |accessdate=2010-12-13 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110324204748/http://www.dc-8jet.com:80/trc-dc8-fleet-info1.htm |archivedate=2011-03-24 |df= }}</ref> and [[Boeing 727]] jetliners.
TCA was originally organized under the name "Trans Caribbean Air Cargo Lines, Inc.",<ref>{{cite journal|journal=Civil Aeronautics Board Reports|volume=21|title=Transatlantic Cargo Case|page=712|year=1955|url=https://hdl.handle.net/2027/osu.32435022360531 |hdl=2027/osu.32435022360531}}</ref> which continued to be its legal name through 1952, when it became "Trans Caribbean Airlines, Inc.".<ref>{{cite journal|journal=Le Moniteur; Journal Officiel de la République d’Haiti|volume=124|number=65|title=ARRETE|date=7 July 1969|url=https://ufdc.ufl.edu/UF00076854/08002/pdf}}</ref> However, the name "Trans Caribbean Airways" was in use as early as 1946.<ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/image/617150706 ''Airways Plans Debut'', Miami Herald, June 11, 1946]</ref> In 1959 TCA once again changed its legal name, this time to "[[Transportation Corporation of America]] [[Trade name|dba]] Trans Caribbean Airways" until 1964, when it reverted to "Trans Caribbean Airlines, Inc.".<ref>{{cite journal|journal=Civil Aeronautics Board Reports|volume=30|title=Docket 10776 Transportation Corporation of America (Formerly Trans Caribbean Airlines, Inc.), Reissuance of Certificate—order E-14592 adopted October 29, 1959|pages=1506-1507|year=1959|url=https://hdl.handle.net/2027/uc1.b2938521|hdl=2027/uc1.b2938521}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|journal=Civil Aeronautics Board Reports|volume=40|title=Docket 15364 Trans Caribbean Airways, Inc., Name Change—order E-21119 adopted July 27, 1964|page=864|year=1964|url=https://hdl.handle.net/2027/uc1.b2939172|hdl=2027/uc1.b2939172}}</ref>

==History==
The airline's main headquarters was located at [[714 Fifth Avenue]] in [[Midtown Manhattan]], [[New York City]] for most of the time until it was acquired by American Airlines on March 3, 1971.<ref>"World Airline Directory." ''[[Flight International]]''. March 26, 1970. [http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1970/1970%20-%200554.html?search= "Trans Caribbean" 504].</ref> There was a building in San Juan that was owned by TCA and has a full wall done in tile with the TCA logo.{{Citation needed|date=January 2010}}

The female flight attendants wore an unusual uniform hat for a U.S. carrier; it was supposed to be a copy of the Spanish [[Cordovan hat]] the color Blue trim in Aqua. It represented the Spanish influence of the Caribbean islands. The uniform was designed by Mrs. O. Roy Chalk, wife of the owner. The last paint job on the tail of the aircraft was a navy blue with an orange palm tree.{{Citation needed|date=January 2010}}

Aircraft were also chartered to Military Air Transport for service from McGuire AFB to Frankfurt, West Germany, where the troops referred to it as "Trashcan Airlines".

At the time of its acquisition by American Airlines, Trans Caribbean was operating a small fleet of [[Douglas DC-8]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dc-8jet.com/trc-dc8-fleet-info1.htm|title=TRCA DC-8 Fleet Information|access-date=2010-12-13|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110324204748/http://www.dc-8jet.com:80/trc-dc8-fleet-info1.htm|archive-date=2011-03-24 }}</ref> and [[Boeing 727]] jetliners.


==Destinations==
==Destinations==
According to the Trans Caribbean system timetable dated July 7, 1969, the following destinations were served on the east coast of the U.S. and the Caribbean:<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.timetableimages.com |title=Airline Timetable Images |website=Timetableimages.com |date= |accessdate=2016-09-10}}</ref>
According to the Trans Caribbean system timetable dated July 7, 1969, the following destinations were served on the east coast of the U.S. and the Caribbean:<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.timetableimages.com|title=Airline Timetable Images|website=Timetableimages.com|access-date=2016-09-10}}</ref>
* [[Aruba]] (AUA)
* [[Oranjestad, Aruba]] (AUA)
* [[Curacao]] (CUR)
* [[Willemstad]], [[Curacao]] (CUR)
* [[Newark, New Jersey|Newark]] [[Liberty International Airport]] (EWR)
* [[Newark, New Jersey]] ([[Liberty International Airport|EWR]])
* [[New York City]] [[John F. Kennedy International Airport]] (JFK)
* [[New York City]] ([[John F. Kennedy International Airport|JFK]])
* [[Port Au Prince]] (PAP)
* [[Port Au Prince]], [[Haiti]] (PAP)
* [[St. Croix]] (STX)
* [[St. Croix]] (STX)
* [[Saint Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands|St. Thomas]] (STT)
* [[Saint Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands|St. Thomas]] (STT)
* [[San Juan, Puerto Rico|San Juan]] (SJU)
* [[San Juan, Puerto Rico]] (SJU) '''Hub'''
* [[Washington, D.C.]] [[Dulles International Airport]] (IAD)
* [[Washington, D.C.]] ([[Dulles International Airport|IAD]])

==Fleet==
[[File:N8790R B727-2A7 Trans Caribbean JFK 09JUL70 (6081145826).jpg|thumb|A Trans Caribbean [[Boeing 727-200]] at [[John F. Kennedy International Airport]] in 1970]]
[[File:Trans Caribbean Airways Douglas DC-8 Volpati-1.jpg|thumb|A Trans Caribbean [[Douglas DC-8|Douglas DC-8-61CF]] at [[Frankfurt Airport]] in 1970]]
Trans Caribbean operated the following aircraft types during its existence:<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.planespotters.net/airline/Trans-Caribbean-Airways|title=Trans Caribbean Airways Fleet Details and History|website=Planespotters.net|access-date=August 23, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://aerobernie.bplaced.net/Trans%20Caribbean%20Airways.html|title=Trans Caribbean Airways|website=Aerobernie.bplaced.net|access-date=April 12, 2023}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable" style="margin:0.5em auto; text-align:center"
|+ Trans Caribbean Airways fleet
|-
!Aircraft
!Total
!Introduced
!Retired
!Notes
|-
|[[Boeing 707-320C]]
|1
|rowspan=2|1967
|rowspan=2|1968
|rowspan=2|Leased from [[Aer Lingus]]
|-
|[[Boeing 720]]
|1
|-
|[[Boeing 727-100]]
|3
|1967
|rowspan=2|1971
|
|-
|[[Boeing 727-200]]
|2
|1969
|
|-
|[[Curtiss C-46 Commando]]
|2
|1948
|1956
|
|-
|[[Douglas C-47 Skytrain]]
|2
|1945
|{{unknown}}
|
|-
|[[Douglas C-54 Skymaster]]
|7
|1946
|1962
|
|-
|[[Douglas DC-6]]
|2
|1955
|1957
|
|-
|[[Douglas DC-6B]]
|2
|1960
|rowspan=2|1964
|
|-
|[[Douglas DC-8|Douglas DC-8-51]]
|2
|1961
|
|-
|[[Douglas DC-8|Douglas DC-8-54CF]]
|3
|1963
|rowspan=3|1971
|
|-
|[[Douglas DC-8|Douglas DC-8-55CF]]
|1
|1970
|
|-
|[[Douglas DC-8|Douglas DC-8-61CF]]
|3
|1967
|
|-
|}


== Fleet ==
==Accidents and incidents==
*On December 28, 1970, '''Trans Caribbean Airways Flight 505''', a [[Boeing 727-200]] (registered N8790R) made a hard landing and ran off the side of the runway of [[Cyril E. King Airport]]. Two of the 48 passengers onboard died in a subsequent fire, and the aircraft was then destroyed by the ensuing conflagration.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19701228-1|title=ASN Aircraft accident Boeing 727-2A7 N8790R Saint Thomas-Harry S.Truman Airport (STT)|website=Aviation-safety.net|access-date=September 5, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1970/12/29/archives/2-die-and-51-hurt-in-virgin-islands-jet-crash.html|title=2 Die and 51 Hurt in Virgin Islands Jet Crash|website=Nytimes.com|author=Robert Lindsey|date=December 29, 1970}}</ref>
Trans Caribbean operated the following aircraft types during its existence:<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.airliners.net |title=Aviation Photography, Discussion Forums & News |website=Airliners.net |date= |accessdate=2016-09-10}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.planespotters.net/airline/Trans-Caribbean-Airways | title = Trans Caribbean Airways Fleet | publisher = Planespotters | accessdate = 6 September 2019}}</ref>
* [[Boeing 727-100]]
* [[Boeing 727-200]]
* [[Douglas DC-4]]
* [[Douglas DC-6B]]
* 2 [[Douglas DC-8-51]]
* 3 [[Douglas DC-8]]-54CF (convertible passenger/freighter version)
* 1 [[Douglas DC-8]]-55CF
* 3 [[Douglas DC-8-61]]-CF (stretched Super DC-8 version)


== See also ==
==See also==
* [[List of defunct airlines of the United States]]
*[[List of defunct airlines of the United States]]


== References ==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}


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[[Category:Defunct companies based in New York City]]
[[Category:Defunct companies based in New York City]]
[[Category:American Airlines]]
[[Category:American Airlines]]
[[Category:Airlines based in New York (state)]]

Revision as of 04:30, 7 May 2024

Trans Caribbean Airways
IATA ICAO Callsign
TR - -
FoundedMay 18, 1945 (as Trans Caribbean Air Cargo Lines)
Commenced operationsDecember 1945
Ceased operationsMarch 3, 1971 (Purchased by American Airlines)
HubsLuis Muñoz Marín International Airport
Fleet size9
Destinations9 (by July 7, 1969)
HeadquartersNew York, New York
Key peopleO. Roy Chalk

Trans Caribbean Airways (TCA) was an irregular air carrier (United States charter airline) until 1957, when it was certificated by the Civil Aeronautics Board as an international air carrier to fly from New York City to San Juan, Puerto Rico. TCA thereafter operated as a small scheduled airline specializing in flying from New York (and later Washington, DC) to the Caribbean, adding a small number of additional routes over time until it was purchased by American Airlines in 1971.

TCA was founded and, for its entire existence controlled, by businessman O. Roy Chalk.

Name

TCA was originally organized under the name "Trans Caribbean Air Cargo Lines, Inc.",[1] which continued to be its legal name through 1952, when it became "Trans Caribbean Airlines, Inc.".[2] However, the name "Trans Caribbean Airways" was in use as early as 1946.[3] In 1959 TCA once again changed its legal name, this time to "Transportation Corporation of America dba Trans Caribbean Airways" until 1964, when it reverted to "Trans Caribbean Airlines, Inc.".[4][5]

History

The airline's main headquarters was located at 714 Fifth Avenue in Midtown Manhattan, New York City for most of the time until it was acquired by American Airlines on March 3, 1971.[6] There was a building in San Juan that was owned by TCA and has a full wall done in tile with the TCA logo.[citation needed]

The female flight attendants wore an unusual uniform hat for a U.S. carrier; it was supposed to be a copy of the Spanish Cordovan hat the color Blue trim in Aqua. It represented the Spanish influence of the Caribbean islands. The uniform was designed by Mrs. O. Roy Chalk, wife of the owner. The last paint job on the tail of the aircraft was a navy blue with an orange palm tree.[citation needed]

Aircraft were also chartered to Military Air Transport for service from McGuire AFB to Frankfurt, West Germany, where the troops referred to it as "Trashcan Airlines".

At the time of its acquisition by American Airlines, Trans Caribbean was operating a small fleet of Douglas DC-8[7] and Boeing 727 jetliners.

Destinations

According to the Trans Caribbean system timetable dated July 7, 1969, the following destinations were served on the east coast of the U.S. and the Caribbean:[8]

Fleet

A Trans Caribbean Boeing 727-200 at John F. Kennedy International Airport in 1970
A Trans Caribbean Douglas DC-8-61CF at Frankfurt Airport in 1970

Trans Caribbean operated the following aircraft types during its existence:[9][10]

Trans Caribbean Airways fleet
Aircraft Total Introduced Retired Notes
Boeing 707-320C 1 1967 1968 Leased from Aer Lingus
Boeing 720 1
Boeing 727-100 3 1967 1971
Boeing 727-200 2 1969
Curtiss C-46 Commando 2 1948 1956
Douglas C-47 Skytrain 2 1945 Un­known
Douglas C-54 Skymaster 7 1946 1962
Douglas DC-6 2 1955 1957
Douglas DC-6B 2 1960 1964
Douglas DC-8-51 2 1961
Douglas DC-8-54CF 3 1963 1971
Douglas DC-8-55CF 1 1970
Douglas DC-8-61CF 3 1967

Accidents and incidents

  • On December 28, 1970, Trans Caribbean Airways Flight 505, a Boeing 727-200 (registered N8790R) made a hard landing and ran off the side of the runway of Cyril E. King Airport. Two of the 48 passengers onboard died in a subsequent fire, and the aircraft was then destroyed by the ensuing conflagration.[11][12]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Transatlantic Cargo Case". Civil Aeronautics Board Reports. 21: 712. 1955. hdl:2027/osu.32435022360531.
  2. ^ "ARRETE". Le Moniteur; Journal Officiel de la République d’Haiti. 124 (65). 7 July 1969.
  3. ^ Airways Plans Debut, Miami Herald, June 11, 1946
  4. ^ "Docket 10776 Transportation Corporation of America (Formerly Trans Caribbean Airlines, Inc.), Reissuance of Certificate—order E-14592 adopted October 29, 1959". Civil Aeronautics Board Reports. 30: 1506–1507. 1959. hdl:2027/uc1.b2938521.
  5. ^ "Docket 15364 Trans Caribbean Airways, Inc., Name Change—order E-21119 adopted July 27, 1964". Civil Aeronautics Board Reports. 40: 864. 1964. hdl:2027/uc1.b2939172.
  6. ^ "World Airline Directory." Flight International. March 26, 1970. "Trans Caribbean" 504.
  7. ^ "TRCA DC-8 Fleet Information". Archived from the original on 2011-03-24. Retrieved 2010-12-13.
  8. ^ "Airline Timetable Images". Timetableimages.com. Retrieved 2016-09-10.
  9. ^ "Trans Caribbean Airways Fleet Details and History". Planespotters.net. Retrieved August 23, 2023.
  10. ^ "Trans Caribbean Airways". Aerobernie.bplaced.net. Retrieved April 12, 2023.
  11. ^ "ASN Aircraft accident Boeing 727-2A7 N8790R Saint Thomas-Harry S.Truman Airport (STT)". Aviation-safety.net. Retrieved September 5, 2023.
  12. ^ Robert Lindsey (December 29, 1970). "2 Die and 51 Hurt in Virgin Islands Jet Crash". Nytimes.com.
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