thumb|right|TWA Air Mail & Express service. March, 1943. On January 29, 1937, TWA contracted with Boeing for five Boeing 307 Stratoliners, which included a pressurized cabin. However, the TWA board refused to authorize the expenditure. Frye then approached another flying enthusiast, Howard Hughes, along with Algur H. Meadows and his business partner Henry W. Peters, to buy stock in 1937. Hughes Tool Company purchased 99,293 shares at $8.25 a share, giving Hughes control, and Noah Dietrich was also placed on the board. Later, Hughes bought another $1,500,000 worth of stock. Paul E. Richter became executive vice president in 1938. A new order for five Stratoliners was placed on September 23, 1939, the first Stratoliner was delivered on May 6, 1940, and TWA initiated coast-to-coast flights on July 8, 1940. The planes could carry 16 night passengers in berths or 33 day passengers. The cabin was pressurized at 12,000 feet, enabling it to fly at an altitude of 20,000 feet, above much of the weather.
thumb|right|twa air mail & express service march 1943 on january 29 1937 twa contracted with boeing for five boeing 307 stratoliners which included a pressurized cabin however the twa board refused to authorize the expenditure frye then approached another flying enthusiast howard hughes along with algur h meadows and his business partner henry w peters to buy stock in 1937 hughes tool company purchased 99293 shares at $825 a share giving hughes control and noah dietrich was also placed on the board later hughes bought another $1500000 worth of stock paul e richter became executive vice president in 1938 a new order for five stratoliners was placed on september 23 1939 the first stratoliner was delivered on may 6 1940 and twa initiated coast-to-coast flights on july 8 1940 the planes could carry 16 night passengers in berths or 33 day passengers the cabin was pressurized at 12000 feet enabling it to fly at an altitude of 20000 feet above much of the weather