Flight deck of AA "Flagship Vermont" on display at NASM. Last of the piston engine Douglas airliners, the DC-7 came about due to the need by American Airlines to match TWA's L-049 Constellation that outpaced AA's DC-6. The newly designed DC-7 had R-3350 engines similar to the L-049 but with four-bladed propellers. Its fuselage was like the DC-6B but stretched by 40 in. Capable of cruising at 360 mph, the DC-7 had excellent range, covering LA to NYC in 8 hr and the westbound leg in 8 hr 45 min. AA placed an order for 25 DC-7s that met the development cost, later adding nine more aircraft.

The nose of "Flagship Vermont" survives in the NASM. This DC-7 was broken up in 1965 when it was only nine years old. It had only been in service for six years, from 1956 until 1962.