Pacific Southwest Airlines (PSA) soared to the skies in 1949 quickly becoming California’s favorite way to fly. With its famously low fares, bold personality and signature “smile” painted on every plane, PSA air travel was fun and accessible. Nicknamed “The World’s FriendliestAirline,” PSA was a trailblazer in low-cost air travel long before Southwest, leading the way withjet service, widebody aircraft and even a short-lived international route to Mexico. The airline expanded its fleet over the years, introducing jets like the Boeing 727 and briefly operating widebody Lockheed L-1011 TriStars. PSA merged with USAir in 1986 and was fully absorbed by 1988, leaving a legacy as a trailblazer in affordable air travel.
