Piedmont Airlines was founded in 1948 by Thomas H. Davis and began operations on February 20, 1948, serving the Carolinas, Virginia, and surrounding southeastern United States. Based in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, the airline grew from a small regional carrier into a significant domestic airline over four decades of operation. Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, Piedmont expanded its route network considerably, modernizing its fleet and connecting smaller southeastern cities to major hubs. The airline became known for its friendly service and reliable operations across the region. Following deregulation of the U.S. airline industry in 1978, Piedmont aggressively expanded and eventually merged with PSA (Pacific Southwest Airlines) after both were acquired by USAir. In 1989, Piedmont Airlines was fully merged into USAir, ending its independent identity after 41 years of operation.