Happy Birthday, Boeing! 100 years ago today, William Boeing formed the Boeing Company in Seattle, revolutionizing commercial air travel and military aviation for years to come. Since its inception in 1916, Boeing has committed itself to the safety and security of the flight crews and passengers who fly aboard its aircraft throughout the world, and ALPA pilots are proud to be an important part of its rich history.
Partners in the Sky
1931 Capt. Dave Behncke, a pilot for Boeing Air Transport, meets with 23 other pilots in Chicago and officially forms the Air Line Pilots Association, adopting the motto “Schedule with Safety.”
1955 With the Boeing 707 undergoing flight-testing, and the Douglas DC-8 in the design stage, ALPA representatives visit Boeing and other commercial aviation companies to discuss the development of jet transports.
1996 The U.S. National Aeronautic Association awards the 1995 Collier Trophy to Boeing and its 777 Team, an honor shared by ALPA, which served as a key member of the 777 development team.
2004 Boeing invites ALPA to join in a collaborative effort on design and production of the 787.
Today Boeing and ALPA remain partners in advancing aviation safety and security.
On behalf of ALPA and our 31 pilot groups, representing over 53,000 pilots in the United States and Canada, we wish Boeing a very Happy Centennial!
Read more about Boeing’s history and celebration of a “Century in the Sky.”