The world’s first scheduled airline, the St. Petersburg-Tampa Airboat Line, began operation on January 1, 1914, 110 years ago.

The half-hour flight from St. Petersburg, Florida to Tampa was 18 miles and the regular fare was $5 one-way.

The flight offered an alternative to the train, which could take up to 12 hours to make the trip, due to the circuitous route required.

The airplane used for the flight could only carry one passenger at a time. And that passenger had to sit next to the pilot in the open cockpit. This is just one of the reasons the airline ceased operations after only three months.

Former St. Petersburg Mayor A. C. Phiel (center) was the first passenger. The pilot was Tony Jannus (right), and the airline’s organizer was Paul E. Fansler (left). 

(Images courtesy of Smithsonian Institution)

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