The Douglas DC-3, a fixed-wing propeller-driven airliner, first flew on December 17, 1935. It revolutionized the airline industry by making passenger travel profitable and safe, becoming one of the most significant aircraft in history. Its design was so successful that many remain in use today, representing the durability of good engineering.

The DC-3 was seen as a symbol of the democratization of air travel, bringing the experience of flying to the masses and changing how people thought about distance and travel. It was frequently celebrated in literature and film as the iconic airliner of the golden age of flying. The DC-3 became a cultural touchstone for the romance of early commercial aviation.