| Airline | |
| Type: | Brand |
| Location City: | Chicago, Illinois |
| Location Country: | United States |
| Area Served: | Worldwide |
| Industry: | Musical instruments |
| Homepage: | Airline Guitars Official Website |
Airline was a store brand of consumer electronics and musical instruments originally marketed and sold by American retailer Montgomery Ward through their catalog and retail stores. Products included radios, televisions, record players, guitars, and amplifiers. In the early 2000s, Eastwood Guitars acquired the rights to the "Airline" brand name. In 2024, Airline Guitars was acquired by a family-owned business based in Chicago, Illinois.
The Airline brand was used by Montgomery Ward on a range of electric and acoustic guitars from 1958 to 1968. These were made in Chicago, Illinois, by the Valco Manufacturing Co., Kay Musical Instrument Company, and Harmony Company.[1] Airline-branded amplifiers were manufactured by Valco and Danelectro.
Valco Airline guitars have been played by a wide array of bands and artists, including: Jack White,[2] J. B. Hutto,[3] David Bowie, The Cure, PJ Harvey, Calexico, and Wooden Shjips.
After Eastwood Guitars purchased rights to the "Airline" trade name in the early 2000s, they reissued the early 1960s "JB Hutto" Airline shape as the "Airline DLX." The new version set aside the defining hollow fiberglass body of the Valco-made original[4] in favor of the simpler and less-costly chambered mahogany body, giving it a more traditional electric guitar feel and tone, rather than the unique playing feel and response of the original.[5] [6]
Eastwood Guitars later released the "Airline '59 Custom" in two- and three-pickup models in December 2008, which come with striped pickguards and rubber-bound bodies, in the spirit of the originals.
In October 2024, the "Airline" trade name was acquired by a family-owned business based in Chicago, Illinois. Specializing in retro-styled electric guitars, basses, amplifiers, effects pedals, and accessories, the new owners are committed to honoring the brand's legacy while introducing innovations that blend classic American design with modern functionality. With this transition, Airline Guitars returns to its Chicago roots, now operating independently from the Eastwood brand family.