How a pilot's personal notebook revolutionized the way the entire world navigates the skies

Countries & Cities · Published 15 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: In 1934, Elrey Borge Jeppesen began selling his personal flight charts for ten dollars. What started as a pilot's private collection of navigation data evolved into a global standard for aviation. Today, these essential tools have transitioned from paper booklets to sophisticated digital systems used by pilots across the globe.

The foundation of Jeppesen was built on the meticulous observations of Elrey Borge Jeppesen, a pilot for Varney Air Lines. Initially, his hand-drawn charts were intended solely for his own use, but their utility was so apparent that fellow aviators began contributing their own route data to his collection. This collaborative effort transformed a personal project into a professional necessity, eventually leading Jeppesen to leave his career as a captain to focus entirely on the business. By the late 1930s, United Airlines became one of the first major carriers to adopt his charts, cementing their place in aviation history.

The company's growth was marked by significant strategic shifts and technological milestones. In 1947, Jeppesen collaborated with the Civil Aeronautics Administration to establish the National Flight Data Center and standardize instrument approach procedures. Over the following decades, the firm expanded its reach through both international office openings and a series of acquisitions, including the 1974 merger with Sanderson Films, which moved the company into flight training. By 1973, Jeppesen NavData was being utilized in commercial flight management computer guidance systems, marking a pivotal step toward the digital age of aviation.

Ownership of the company has changed several times throughout its history. Purchased by the Times-Mirror Company in 1961, it was later acquired by The Boeing Company in 2000. The company's influence remains profound, evidenced by the naming of the Denver International Airport terminal in Jeppesen's honor in 1991. Despite facing challenges, such as a significant cyber attack in 2022 that disrupted services for eight days, the organization has remained a cornerstone of flight planning. As of April 2025, the company was sold to the private equity firm Thoma Bravo, continuing its long trajectory of evolution within the aerospace industry.

Today, Jeppesen employs approximately 3,200 people and maintains a global presence with offices in countries including Germany, Italy, Sweden, and Poland. While the company once held a significant stake in the marine navigation market through brands like C-MAP, it divested its marine division in 2016 to focus exclusively on its core aviation offerings. From its humble origins in a pilot's cockpit to its current status under private equity ownership, the company continues to shape how aircraft navigate the world.

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