Actually for many people, they remember the TWA from the 1990s onward, which was an abysmal attempt at a flagship airline. I dont even want to fathom how many flights in total I've done over the years, but the single worst flight, by a very long ways, was a TWA 747 from JFK to FCO in 1993. It was the worst aircraft, crew, and meal ever, all rolled into a 8+ hour horrid experience.

TWA of the 1990s were desperately trying to avoid the Eastern and Pan Am fates, and their service reflected that fight. Perhaps those that flew it in the 50s thru 80s have a different recollection, but my rememberance of them was distinctly horrid.