Varney Speed Lines, California and Mexico at speed
In the early 1930s, Varney Speed Lines promoted a simple idea: aircraft could beat train and automobile travel between San Francisco and Los Angeles. With the Lockheed 9 Orion, the company advertised a 2 hour 15 minute flight time.
Two years later, the adventure expanded into Mexico with Lineas Aereas Occidentales: Burbank, Mexicali, Nogales, Hermosillo, Mexico City, Tapachula and a branch toward La Paz.
Commercial speed as an advertising argument.
Keep the schedule and show aircraft efficiency.
Fast single engine, retractable gear, six passengers.
Coast, desert, mountains and long daylight branches.
Understanding the flight
This page tells the shift from aviation as curiosity to aviation as a useful tool. Varney sells saved time, then LAO adds the romantic journey toward Mexico and its scenery.
The simulator should keep both tones: a first almost-timed Californian section, then a more scenic and demanding campaign southbound.
Before departure
- Choose the Lockheed 9 Orion if available, or a fast 1930s single engine aircraft.
- Try to keep 2 hours 15 minutes on San Francisco to Los Angeles without turning it into an unrealistic race.
- Prepare the Mexican route in daylight, with fuel and hot weather in mind.
- Use modern aids only as backup if you want to preserve the historical atmosphere.
Suggested route
San Francisco to Los Angeles
The first leg is a demonstration of commercial speed between the Bay Area and Burbank.
KSFO → KBUR
Entry into Mexico
Mexicali, Nogales, Hermosillo, Ciudad Obregon and Los Mochis establish the line over desert and Pacific coast.
KBUR → MMML → MMNG → MMHO → MMCN → MMLM
Mazatlan, La Paz and Mexico City
The La Paz branch connects to Mazatlan before the route continues through Guadalajara and Mexico City.
MMLM → MMMZ → MMLP → MMGL → MMMX
Southern extension
The final steps toward southern Mexico give the route a longer and more scenic conclusion.
MMMX → MMHC → MMOX → MMTP
Experience tips
The challenge is not raw distance, but contrast: Californian speed followed by a prestigious Mexican line.
Keep a taildragger and simple navigation to feel the relative modernity of the Lockheed Orion.
Copyright Michel Lagneau 2011