Ah, TWA. The airline of the stars, the jet-setters, and the globetrotters. Back in the day, it was the airline to beat, with its iconic red, white, and blue livery, and its glamorous image. But alas, like so many airlines before and since, TWA eventually met its end. So, who owns the brand now? Let's find out.

First, a little history. TWA was founded in 1930 by Howard Hughes (yes, that Howard Hughes), and over the years it grew to become one of the biggest airlines in the world. It was famous for its route network, which spanned the globe, and for its distinctive branding, which included the aforementioned red, white, and blue livery, as well as its iconic logo.

However, in the 1990s, TWA began to struggle. It faced fierce competition from other airlines, and it was burdened by debt. In 2001, it filed for bankruptcy, and soon after, it was bought by American Airlines.

So, that answers the question, right? American Airlines owns the TWA brand now? Well, not exactly. You see, after American Airlines bought TWA, it began to incorporate some of TWA's branding into its own. For example, it painted some of its planes in a retro TWA livery, and it used the TWA logo on some of its merchandise.

However, American Airlines never actually owned the TWA brand. In fact, the brand was owned by a company called Carl Icahn Enterprises. Carl Icahn, for those who don't know, is a billionaire investor who made his fortune by buying and selling companies. He was a major shareholder in TWA, and he bought the rights to the TWA brand after the airline went bankrupt.

So, what has happened to the TWA brand since then? Well, Carl Icahn has been trying to sell it for years. He's had a few interested buyers over the years, including a hotel company that wanted to use the TWA brand for a new hotel at JFK airport in New York. However, none of these deals have ever come to fruition.

As of now, the TWA brand is still owned by Carl Icahn Enterprises, and it's not clear what will happen to it in the future. Will someone buy it and bring back the glory days of TWA? Or will it continue to languish in obscurity? Only time will tell.

In conclusion, while American Airlines may have incorporated some of TWA's branding into its own, it never actually owned the TWA brand. The brand is currently owned by Carl Icahn Enterprises, and its future is uncertain. But one thing is for sure: TWA will always hold a special place in the hearts of aviation enthusiasts and nostalgia-seekers alike.