in 1967–72, twa was the world's third-largest airline by passenger-miles, behind aeroflot and united. during the mid and late 1960s, the airline extended its reach as far east as hong kong from europe and also introduced service to a number of destinations in africa. in 1969, twa carried the most transatlantic passengers of any airline; until then, pan american world airways had always been number one. in the transpacific route case of 1969, twa was given authority to fly across the pacific to hawaii and taiwan, and for a few years, twa had a round-the-world network.