Airline in Far East financed by the U.S. CIA from 1949 onward. A proprietary company, Air America was established obstensibly to deny the cargo aircraft then in China to the Communist Chinese. Subsequently, Air America operated with commercial success in part through contracts with the U.S. Air Force.

The airline was very active in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War, being involved in a variety of both political and military support operations in addition to flying cargo for various governments, intelligence services, and private customers. Air America was disbanded in 1981.

The airline was the subject of the 1990 film Air America starring Mel Gibson and Robert Downey, Jr. The film was based on a book by Richard Rush.