We’re continuing our year-long celebration of 250 years of postal service in the United States with the release of the 8th postcard in our 12-postcard Commemorative Collection.
Each postcard spotlights a pivotal moment in U.S. postal history—complete with interesting facts and trivia for context.
Our newest postcard highlights the beginning of regular Airmail Service in the United States.
The first regularly scheduled airmail service route connected New York City, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C.
Here are 5 fascinating facts:
- The initial route was 218 miles long and was flown regularly, rain or shine.
- Airmail planes only flew during daylight, with mail transported by train at night.
- Early airmail pilots typically earned a base salary of about $3,600 a year (around $75,950 in today’s dollars), plus extra pay for each mile flown.
- Banks were major early customers, sending checks and financial papers via airmail for faster delivery.
- Until 1975, sending domestic mail by air required an extra fee. International airmail fees remained until 1995, when the USPS began routinely transporting all First Class mail by air at no extra cost.
Today, airmail no longer exists as a separate service, but the USPS still moves much of its mail by air. Instead of operating its own planes, it contracts with commercial airlines to carry mail within the U.S. and overseas.
Limited-Edition – Only Available in 2025
Did you know? When arranged in the layout above, the postcards connect with a timeline weaving from 1775 to 2025—and together reveal a hidden 250th Anniversary postmark.
With each month’s new postcard, you’re one step closer to completing your collection before the year ends.
Collect Together
This project is a fun way to introduce friends to the joy of sending postcards and spark a shared interest that grows with each month’s release.
Have you considered sending them a postcard from this series and being the reason they fall in love with postcards?
Which one will you send first?
Our 2025 World Postcard Day postcards are now available! Get yours today!
(Learn more about World Postcard Day)
ORDER NOW | USPS 250th Anniversary Postcards
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