3. Texas Air Lines Boeing 707-120B "1955-1965"

In the late 1950s, the rapidly expanding Texas air market was highly competitive. Whoever could offer the most frequent, fast and convenient services won over the business. With the advent of the Jet Age, Texas Air Lines, like many others placed a small order for the Boeing 707, in the hopes that it would give the carrier a market advantage. The shiny new jets were adorned with the Texas flag and a shooting star. In November of 1959, having trained it's flight crews in Seattle pre-delivery, the first aircraft arrived on property in Houston to a Texas sized welcome, complete with a meet-and-greet event for the public, catering, tours of the aircraft, and a speech from the Governor of Texas. The next day, the aircraft went into service, departing Houston that morning, and arriving in Dallas at midday, with a return to Houston that afternoon. The plane was oversold in both directions, serving as sign of good things to come.

Texas Air Lines later ordered an additional two 707-120Bs for service to California and New York City, and the later model 707-320B to streamline out of state services, allowing for more destinations to be added in 1961 and 1962. In total, the company operated 11 Boeing 707s right up until December 31st, 1977. Texas Air Lines 707s had many firsts, including the first Jet service in the state of Texas, first jet service from Texas to Mexico, (One of 3 airlines designated to fly to Mexico before deregulation) and the first nonstop flight between Houston and New York City.