Flight 42 Cocktail Lounge: Kansas City's Hidden Aviation Gem

In 1965, Kansas City was home to a unique bar that was located in a decommissioned TWA Constellation “Super Connie” airplane. The plane was driven from the downtown airport to the corner of 43rd and Main Streets in 1965 and used as a cocktail lounge. Although short-lived, it was a popular spot for tourists and locals alike, and it was known for its kitschy atmosphere and aviation theme.

The plane was a TWA Constellation L-1049G, registration number N7306C. It was commissioned in 1957, inaugurating the iconic Starliner service from New York to London Heathrow. This specific Super Connie flew for TWA for 5 years until it was decommissioned in 1962.

Photo courtesy Jackson County Historical Society.

Photo courtesy Jackson County Historical Society.

After sitting in storage for a few years in Kansas City, the plane was driven to its new location on a flatbed trailer. The move took several days, and it was a major traffic disruption as it traversed the narrow downtown streets.

The interior of the plane was converted into a cocktail lounge with a bar, table, chairs, and aviation memorabilia.

The lounge closed only about a year later due to financial difficulties and the plane was scrapped shortly after.

Today, there is no trace of Flight 42 Cocktail Lounge at 43rd & Main. However, the memory of the unique bar lives on in the hearts of Kansas City residents and visitors that remember it. It was a slice of aviation history that was enjoyed by many people.

Today, the memory of the bar lives on, and it's a reminder of a time when Kansas City was a major center of aviation activity.

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