Step 1 : Introduction to the question "Which airline held a near-monopoly on international flights until 1978?"
...Pan American World Airways, better known as Pan Am, dominated U.S. international air travel for decades, holding a near-monopoly on many overseas routes. Famous for its blue globe logo and luxurious “Clipper” service, Pan Am helped pioneer transatlantic and transpacific travel and ushered in the jet age. Unlike most major U.S. carriers, Pan Am had virtually no domestic network. Airline deregulation in 1978 brought increased competition, contributing to the airline's decline. Pan Am ultimately ceased operations in 1991.