The St. Petersburg-Tampa Airboat Line (SPT Airboat Line) was the first scheduled airline using a fixed winged aircraft.
The airline provided service between St. Petersburg, Florida and neighboring Tampa.
On January 1, 1914 the SPT Airboat Line started the world's first scheduled winged airline service.
Antony H. Jannus was the pilot of the airline's Benoist Type XIV aircraft on its maiden flight between St. Petersburg and Tampa.
There was a widespread media coverage by the St. Petersburg Times, and over 3,000 spectators, a parade and an Italian band met up at the departure point.
An auction was then conducted for the first round-trip ticket.
The former mayor of St. Petersburg, Abraham C. Pheil payed $400 for the flight in the wooden, open-air aircraft.
The flight lasted for for 22 minutes at an altitude of 5 feet above the water of Tampa Bay. Ticket prices was at $10 per flight.
During operation the federal government decided that the vehicle and pilot should be licensed while performing commerce. Jannus applied for and evenutally become the first federally licensed pilot in the United States.
The airline continued to make flights until May 5, 1914.
From January 1, 1914 to May 5, 1914 the airline had covered over 7,000 miles, flown 172 flights, and transported 1205 passengers.
Source: Wikipedia
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