I’ve written extensively about Baltia, which is America’s oldest startup airline. Or at least it was for a long time.
I won’t rehash everything here, but if you’re not familiar with Baltia/US Global Airways/the most ridiculous airline project ever undertaken, see this post.
Half as Interesting is an awesome YouTube channel that tells some cool stories (the person who is behind this is also behind Wendover Products, which often publishes cool airline-related videos). Today a video entitled “The 30 Year-Old Airline That’s Never Flown” was uploaded to the channel.
As you might expect based on the name, the video is about Baltia. If you have about five minutes, the video is well worth a watch:
This is a really informative video, though I’d note that it’s quite nice towards Baltia. That’s to say that it makes the airline seem a lot more legitimate than I perceive it to be (and that’s probably simply because the producer is being nice/wants to be cautious with what he puts out there).
I don’t doubt that at one point Baltia legitimately intended to fly, though in the past decade I feel pretty certain that they didn’t even intend to ever operate flights.
What a great video that concisely sums up the story of this quirky “business.”
(I’d tip the hat to someone, but I’ve had a countless number of readers point me to this video today, so thanks to all of you)
Pretty sure he just read your blog to research this video...where's the credit? I love Wendover and enjoyed this video, but I feel like it repeated everything you've already shared.
I did buy 10,000 shares for $17 a couple of years ago. They still show up in my IRA statement.
My favorite blog posts every year is the annual Baltia update. Cant wait to be sitting first class with you Ben on the inaugural flight in 2042...
@Abe -- Sarcasm...my friend
@Doug what shares? They’re not even listed anymore on the pinksheet market for crying out loud.
Those 10,000 shares I own are going to be my retirement....just you wait...
I am suspecting one of the OMAAT readers gave him the tips to make this video, so it is likely making a full circle back... AvGeek circle is truly small.
Baltia should sell merchandise. I would totally buy some
Interesting pronunciation of "Islip". I always thought it was pronounced like "Ice-lip", but then again, I'm not from Long Island.
Ben - the Half as Interesting guy also does The Mustard, one of the best AvGeek channels on YouTube.
@ Ben -- OMG, the part about the route network from Baltimore is hilarious...
The older you get the wiser you are. That's "transformation."