The Douglas DC-6 and DC-6B were
developed as the first airliners capable of flying around the
world. The aircraft was a significant improvement over all
earlier versions of the DC planes, and was able to accommodate
three crewmembers and carry between 52 to 102 passengers.
On 15 February 1946, the DC-6 made its first flight and
proved its capabilities. The aircraft then went into production
for eleven years, producing 704 planes. Canadian Pacific Air
Lines was one of the aircraft’s buyers.
The Douglas DC-6 remained in service with several small
airlines up to the end of the 1990s.