On April 29, 1984 TWA began a new through service with Boeing 727 jets which flew from New York via a new point, Norfolk, to the terminus of Raleigh / Durham. The return flight reversed the pattern.

This cover was carried on the inaugural Trans World Airways flight from New York to Raleigh, North Carolina (where it was backstamped) and is listed in The American Air Mail Catalogue as TW-D54SWa.

In January 2001, Trans World Airlines filed for a third and final bankruptcy and was acquired by American Airlines. American Airlines laid off many former TWA employees in the wake of the September 11, 2001 attacks. TWA continued to exist as an LLC under American Airlines until July 1, 2003 at which time all operations were integrated into American Airlines.