Aquila as we all know is the latin for "eagle" but the association is with the former Solent Flying Boat company.

Aquila Airways was a flying boat company founded by former Wing Commander Barry T Aikman,  who had flown Sunderlands with the RAF during the war and been awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for displaying bravery in action.

Aquila's Airways began operation 1949, but post war the flying boat would see less and less service because of the construction of so many land based runways during the war.

A pre-war return ticket to Madeira would have cost you £87, but the equivalent today would be over £1714. That could buy you a round the world ticket at today's prices! Only the wealthy could afford to fly and in luxurious and grand style with food served with 'silver service'.

The service, once in decline, was then hit by tragedy when a crash of a flying boat on the Isle of Wight killed the crew and all 35 passengers.

Aquila Airways, then merged with another company but ceased trading in 1958.

information - kind permission of Portcities