On this day, 90 years ago, on December 21, 1935 (November 26, 1935, the DC-3 aircraft carrying 21 passengers was put on trial flight. American Airlines hoped the DC-3's 21 passenger seats would make them profitable December 21, 1935. The Douglas DC-3, a new passenger plane that can carry 21 passengers at nearly 160 miles per hour, made its first trial flight today. This new aircraft designed by Donald Douglas is an improvement on the DC-2 passenger aircraft. It has broken the flying speed and cargo records of various passenger aircraft. The fuselage has been enlarged and the carrying capacity is increased. It is equipped with two 900-horsepower Curtiss Wright engines, which greatly exceed the power of the DC-2 engine. American Airlines originally required 14 beds for the DC-3 to compete with Pullman train sleeper service on the railways, but other airlines required 21 seats on the DC-3.