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Celebrating 100 years of Service
UPS 100 Merchandise

Celebrating Service in the Air

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UPS Browntails Spread Their Wings

Everyone knows that UPS has a fleet of trucks for ground deliveries, but did you know that we also have a fleet of … planes?

UPS planes
Affectionately referred to as "UPS Browntails," our 600+
aircraft make UPS the eighth largest airline in the world.
Affectionately referred to as “UPS Browntails,” our 600+ aircraft make UPS the eighth largest airline in the world. 

Of course, UPS Airlines didn’t start out quite so big. Back in February, 1929, we launched United Air Express service by putting packages in the cargo space of passenger flights. The stock market crash later that year and resulting strain on the economy led UPS to discontinue air service in 1931.

In 1953, air service resumed; this time, it was here to stay. For the first three months, flights were eastbound only, out of California. Today, UPS Browntails criss-cross the world (in a carefully planned, meticulously scheduled fashion, of course). Flights operate between UPS Worldport in Louisville, the UPS Airlines all-points international air hub, and 800 other airports around the world.

 

The statistical information included here was current at the time it was published in 2007. To see more recent statistics, visit our pressroom.


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UPS Airlines Fun Facts

We have all sorts of statistics about UPS Airlines, our planes, and state-of-the-art systems. Here are some that we found especially interesting:

  • UPS Airlines became the fastest startup airline in aviation history.
  • It takes 3,424 gallons of paint to coat the UPS Airlines fleet.
  • The Worldport hub has nearly 4,500 miles of fiber optic cable running through it.
  • The heating and cooling system at Worldport is so powerful that it could inflate the Goodyear blimp in 45 seconds.
  • Worldport is made out of 75 million pounds of steel – more than five times the amount in the Eiffel Tower!
  • The UPS Meteorology department shares its data with the National Weather Service.
  • UPS Airlines moved the U.S. Olympic Bobsled Team equipment several times in 2000.

 

 

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