Piedmont Airlines (1948-1989)

Piedmont was a United States regional airline that operated from 1948 until 1989; it served as a short-haul carrier linking smaller cities to a hub at Charlotte Douglas (CLT). From a traveler’s perspective it functioned as a typical regional operator of its era: focused on domestic connections, basic onboard amenities, and aircraft optimized for short routes.

It was not a long-haul or global carrier and did not operate the kinds of alliance networks or premium long-haul products seen on major international airlines. Contemporary travelers should note this is a historical airline and is not available for booking today.

Where Piedmont Flies

Piedmont was a U.S. regional airline centered on Charlotte Douglas (CLT) and focused on short-haul domestic routes, connecting smaller cities to its hub and to other regional destinations in the eastern United States. The operation was oriented around spoke-and-hub feeding rather than long-haul or international services; broad alliance or global codeshare networks were not a defining feature for this historical carrier.

Hubs

• Charlotte Douglas International Airport · CLT

Aircraft and Cabin Classes

Over its lifetime Piedmont operated a mix of small turboprops and regional aircraft suitable for short-haul routes. Types associated with the carrier include smaller commuter turboprops such as the Beechcraft 99 and Short 330, several de Havilland DHC-7/DHC-8 (Dash) variants, and regional jet types used later in the regional market. Cabin configurations were oriented to short flights, generally offering economy-style seating rather than premium long-haul products.

Aircraft types operated: Beechcraft 99 Airliner, Short 330, de Havilland Canada DHC-7, de Havilland Canada DHC-8-100, de Havilland Canada DHC-8-200, de Havilland Canada DHC-8-300, Embraer ERJ family, Embraer 175

Tips for Flying Piedmont Airlines (1948-1989)

• This carrier is historical and no longer operates, so it cannot be booked for travel today.
• As a regional operator, flights were short-haul with limited onboard services compared with mainline carriers, so expect basic seating and fewer amenities.
• Baggage allowances on regional flights were typically more restrictive than on mainline services - check any applicable rules if flying a similar regional carrier today.
• Connections were usually timed through the airline’s hub, so allow extra connection time when traveling on regional networks.