Canadian Pacific Airlines was created in May of 1942 as a subsidiary branch of the Canadian Pacific Railway. They began with the purchase and amalgamation of ten smaller airlines, subsuming their aircraft and most of their staffing:
• Ginger Coote Airways, Vancouver;
• Yukon Southern Air Transport, Vancouver and Edmonton;
• Canadian Airways, Winnipeg;
• Wings Ltd., Winnipeg;
• Prairie Airways, Moose Jaw;
• Mackenzie Air Services, Edmonton;
• Arrow Airways, The Pas, Manitoba;
• Starratt Airways, Hudson, Ontario;
• Quebec Airways, Montreal, Quebec
• Dominion Skyways, Montreal, Quebec

CP Airlines operated for the first seven years as a domestic regional carrier, and was heavily involved in the war effort. They participated in three branches of the Second World War; transport operations, air observer schools, and repair plants across Canada. In 1949 the headquarters moved from Edmonton to Vancouver. CP Airlines continued to expand across the globe, being the first airline to offer service from Vancouver to Amsterdam by way of the arctic circle – thereby cutting hours off the flight time.

CP Airlines was notable for staying on the cutting edge of the jet era. They regularly updated their aircraft and served Australia, Asia, and European destinations. Staff of note include G. W. McConachie and C. H. Dickens.

CP Airlines was sold to Pacific Western Airlines in 1987, ceasing to operate under the CP Air banner. The combined airlines of CPA and PWA flew as Canadian Airlines until 2001, when they were bought out by Air Canada.