Sun Air (Fiji)PI

Piedmont Airlines was a regional carrier that operated from 1948 to 1989, serving the eastern United States with a distinctive orange and blue livery. Founded by Thomas H. Davis in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Piedmont grew from a small regional operator into one of the most respected regional carriers in America before merging into USAir in September 1989.

At its height, Piedmont Airlines operated over 100 aircraft serving 85+ destinations across the eastern United States and Canada. The airline was known for its reliability, customer service, and operational excellence—consistently ranking among the top carriers for on-time performance. Piedmont maintained a strong presence in the Carolinas and built a major hub at Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT), which became one of the most efficient connection points on the East Coast.

The airline's fleet primarily consisted of Boeing 737 jetliners, complemented by some Dash 8 turboprops for regional service. Piedmont was acquired by USAir (now US Airways/American Airlines) in 1989, with operations fully integrated into USAir by 1991. The carrier's legacy lives on in American Airlines operations at Charlotte, which continues as a major US carrier hub.

As a regional carrier of the 1980s, Piedmont's baggage allowance was straightforward and generous by today's standards:

Carry-On Allowance:

• Personal item: Included on all flights
• Cabin bag: Included on all fares (27" x 16" x 14")

Checked Baggage:

• First bag: Included free
• Second bag: Included free on most fares
• Weight limits: 50 lbs per bag (23 kg)
• Size limits: Standard 62 linear inches

Special Items:

• Golf clubs: Free (counted as checked baggage)
• Skis/snowboards: Free
• Baby stroller: Free (gate-check available)
• Car seat: Free (gate-check available)

Piedmont's baggage policy was passenger-friendly, with no hidden fees—a common standard for the era before budget carriers introduced aggressive baggage charges.

Fleet Composition Piedmont operated a modern fleet dominated by Boeing 737 aircraft, with the following primary aircraft types:

Boeing 737-200: Workhorse of the fleet, flying on most regional routes. Single-class cabin with approximately 130-150 seats.

Boeing 737-400: Introduced in the mid-1980s, offering improved efficiency and slightly larger capacity (160-170 seats).

Dash 8 Turboprops: Used for lower-demand regional routes to smaller airports like Raleigh-Durham and regional destinations.

Cabin Experience

• Single cabin configuration: All-economy layout typical of regional carriers
• Seat pitch: 31-32 inches on Boeing 737s (slightly below US average)
• Seat width: 17 inches (standard for the era)
• No premium cabins: Unlike major national carriers, Piedmont offered only economy service

Amenities

• In-flight beverage service: Complimentary on all flights
• Snacks: Crackers and pretzels on most flights
• Entertainment: Limited; minimal to no seatback IFE on regional routes
• Airport lounges: Piedmont Club lounges at major hubs (CLT, PHL)

Flight Characteristics Piedmont was known for efficient, no-frills regional service. Flights were typically short (under 2 hours), making premium amenities less relevant. The airline emphasized schedule reliability and on-time arrivals—metrics where Piedmont consistently outperformed competitors.