Linear polyesters of the lactone and the diol-dicarboxylic acid types have been pyrolyzed in the ion source of a mass spectrometer. The gaseous degradation products were softly ionized by means of field ionization. Oligomers were the dominant products observed as protonated species. In contrast to the general experience with soft ionization mass spectrometry, with polyesters distinct mass spectrometric fragmentation occurs forming singly charged and doubly charged carboxonium and hydroxonium ions, respectively. Single fragments are formed with high intensity when the simultaneous formation of several double bonds is possible with the structural subunits present. In addition, cyclic six-membered transition states and the possibility of the formation of stable cyclic fragments increase the degree of fragmentation. Finally, a fundamental interpretation of the processes of polyesters in pyrolysis-field ionization mass spectrometry is given.