The Other Air War: British–American Rivalry in the Lead-up to the Chicago Conference, 1942–43

The Chicago Conference was a milestone in international (aviation) history, even though the negotiations were deeply divided. The conflicts splitting the conference into British and American blocs arose during World War II, not only diplomatically but also on an operational level. This context has been largely overlooked. To understand these conflicts and their impact, this paper focuses on the day-to-day airline operations. Drawing on research from the national archives of the United States and the United Kingdom, as well as company archives, it uncovers the competition between Pan American Airways (PAA) and the British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC) in the war zones of World War II.

For both airlines, the war marked a period of significant expansion. By 1941, BOAC operated a through-Africa service to the Congo. PAA soon established a route from Miami to Karachi in British India, passing through and stopping in Britain’s African colonies. Despite being allies, the overlapping operational areas led to conflict. Both airlines accused each other of secretly conducting commercial transport, despite being enlisted in the war effort. Even more concerning, the American airline took advantage of the crisis to position itself for a post-war global order. The British, with their empire’s geographic advantage but lacking American capital and aircraft, fought back against what they saw as “Pan A’s imperialistic activities.”

The paper traces the conflicts that occurred between 1942 and 1943, reaching a dramatic climax with a threat to shoot down aircraft. By exploring the broader context of this crisis, the analysis also examines the extent of airline independence and the ambivalent responses of both governments, which can only be understood in light of the impending post-war order. Through the lens of wartime airline operations, the paper reveals previously overlooked aspects of the British-American air rivalry and their influence on the Chicago negotiations.