Wright Brothers Trophy Recipient is Ben Baldanza | Aero-News Network
Aero-News Network
RSS icon RSS feed
podcast icon MP3 podcast
Subscribe Aero-News e-mail Newsletter Subscribe

Airborne Unlimited -- Most Recent Daily Episodes

Episode Date

Airborne-Monday

Airborne-Tuesday

Airborne-Wednesday Airborne-Thursday

Airborne-Friday

Airborne On YouTube

Airborne-Unlimited-07.07.25

Airborne-NextGen-07.08.25

AirborneUnlimited-06.25.25

Airborne-AffordableFlyers-06.26.25

AirborneUnlimited-06.27.25

Mon, Jun 24, 2024

Wright Brothers Trophy Recipient is Ben Baldanza

His Innovations Made Significant Impact on Airlines Throughout Career

The 2024 Wright Brothers Memorial Trophy will be awarded to Ben Baldanza at the Aero Club of Washington’s 76th Annual Wright Memorial Dinner on December 13, 2024, in Washington, D.C.

The announcement was made on June 17 by the National Aeronautic Association, who established the Trophy in 1948. The prestigious honor commemorates the memory of Orville and Wilbur Wright and is awarded to a single person who has made significant contributions of public service and great value to aviation in America.

Baldanza has had an illustrious career and is well-respected for developing innovations that have made commercial air travel more accessible to millions of Americans. In 1986 he started with American Airlines where he was instrumental in formulating the first hub-and-spoke frequent flyer program. After nearly twenty years at American, Baldanza was appointed President and CEO of Spirit Airlines. There he wanted to enable middle- and working-class Americans to fly to leisure and vacation destinations. He did so by lowering the cost and promoting “unbundling” airline products and services.

NAA President and CEO Amy Spowart in speaking about the award said, “It is awarded annually to a living American who has made significant contributions of enduring value to aviation in the United States. This esteemed trophy serves as a timeline of the most innovative inventors, explorers, industrialists, and public servants in aeronautics and astronautics, making Ben Baldanza’s selection a testament to his remarkable career.”

Baldanza said of his selection, “Words can’t express how humbled and honored I feel about this amazing award. To be thought of in this broad aviation field that includes business luminaries, visionaries, government officials, top military officers, and astronauts is truly an honor that I never expected. I’d like to thank the committee and all my friends and colleagues who personally supported my nomination.”

FMI: www.aeroclub.orgwww.naa.aero

Advertisement

More News

Airborne 06.30.25: US v ADS-B Misuse, NatÂ’l STOL Fire, Volocopter Resumes

Also: Netherlands Donates 18 F16s, 2 737s Collide On Ramp, E-7 Wedgetail Cut, AgEagle's 100th In S Korea The Pilot and Aircraft Privacy Act was introduced in the House by Represent>[...]

Aero-News: Quote of the Day (07.06.25)

“This delivery represents more than just a milestone. It symbolizes our shared commitment to national security and our unwavering support for the men and women who serve on t>[...]

ANN's Daily Aero-Linx (07.06.25)

Aero Linx: Vintage Wings of Canada Foundation Vintage Wings of Canada is a not-for-profit, charitable organization with a collection of historically significant aircraft and is run>[...]

Classic Aero-TV: Portrait of the Army Aviation Heritage Foundation

From 2023 (YouTube Edition): To Preserve and Teach Incorporated as a non-profit domestic corporation in June 1997, the Army Aviation Heritage Foundation (AAHF) is a one-of-a-kind, >[...]

Airborne-NextGen 07.01.25: Volocopter Returns, B23 Energic, Iran Tech In UAVs?

Also: Air Taxis May Be Close, AgEagle Sells 100th, VAI Likes Bedford, AURA AERO Cleans Up Volocopter has resumed work towards the certification of its VoloCity eVTOL, this time und>[...]

blog comments powered by Disqus



Advertisement

Advertisement

Podcasts

Advertisement

© 2007 - 2025 Web Development & Design by Pauli Systems, LC