Quantcast

Notable milestones in early transatlantic aviation history

Engine maker agrees to compensate WizzAir for grounded planes
Turkish Airlines’ flights are riddled with bedbugs, passengers say
British Airways frequent flyers react to Executive Club changes
Inside the short-lived, men-only flights where kids and women were banned but cigar and pipe smoking were rife
China steps up drive to break Boeing, Airbus grip on plane market
Heathrow’s New York service clings to spot in top aviation routes
Airline praises pilots in crash-landing where both died but nearly half the passengers survived
Mexico state airline to buy five Embraer planes next year
A record number of people are expected to fly over the holidays. That's good for travel stocks, but not for passengers.
American Airlines technical issue sparks travel chaos on Christmas Eve as flights heavily delayed after being grounded
Why United Airlines has had such a stellar year despite being Boeing's biggest customer
JetBlue nixing routes between multiple major cities, reducing several others
Airline Stocks Led The Travel Industry's Record 2024 Rally. Here's What's Next.
It’s beginning to look like another record for holiday travel
Qatar Airways cleans up at the World Travel Awards
All of the strikes at European airports this winter – find out if you are affected
Meet the CEO trying to turn around Air India, the 92-year-old airline with a pile of problems
Skiplagging: Unpacking the Risky Travel Trend That Involves Tricking Airlines
Qantas engineers walk off job on one of the busiest travel days of the year
South Korea to safeguard competition after Korean Air, Asiana merger
China Southern returns to Adelaide
Global Airline Industry Revenues Forecast To Top $1 Trillion For First Time In 2025
EasyJet to launch six new routes from the UK next year with £24 flights
Here's Why Analysts Say It's a Good Time to Buy Airline Stocks
A No-Frills Airline Is Getting Into the Premium Game
TAKING OFF: Major airline introduces new inflight service rules with less time to order your drinks
2 Delta flight attendants fail breathalyzer test before flight to JFK
EasyJet reveals plans for new flights from regional UK airport next summer
Airlines not switching quickly enough to green jet fuel, study says
Alaska Airlines tech issue briefly grounds planes in Seattle, disrupts bookings on Cyber Monday
Notable milestones in early transatlantic aviation history
Policy
Webp pno4lxv7wo81abjbmsmnebzhcydi
Jonathan E. Hendry U.S & Loyalty Journalist | Simple Flying

John Alcock and Arthur Whitten Brown made the first nonstop transatlantic flight in 1919, flying a Vickers Vimy biplane for 16 hours and 27 minutes. Charles A. Lindbergh achieved the first nonstop solo flight in 1927, flying a Ryan M2 (Spirit of St. Louis) for 33 hours and 30 minutes. Lufthansa operated the first nonstop transatlantic passenger flight with a land-based aircraft in 1938, flying a Focke-Wulf Fw 200 "Condor" for 24 hours and 55 minutes.

Hundreds of transatlantic flights run each day, transporting millions of passengers annually. A hundred years ago, flying for hours over water was considered almost impossible, let alone crossing the Atlantic. Simple Flying compiled a list of firsts in transatlantic flights.

First nonstop transatlantic flight of any kind

Get the Newsletter
Sign-up to receive weekly round up of news from Sky Industry News
By submitting, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. By providing your phone number you are opting in and consenting to receive recurring SMS/MMS messages, including automated texts, to that number from our short code. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help, STOP to end. SMS opt-in will not be sold, rented, or shared.

John Alcock and Arthur Whitten Brown

Date: June 14, 1919

Aircraft: Vickers Vimy

Pilots: John Alcock and Arthur Whitten Brown

Distance: 1,890 miles across the Atlantic

Origin: Lester’s Field, St. John’s, Newfoundland

Destination: Clifden, County Galway, Ireland

Flight duration: 16 hours and 27 minutes

Pilots John Alcock and Arthur Whitten Brown of the Royal Air Force (RAF) achieved this challenging feat onboard a Vickers Vimy F.B.27A Mk.IV biplane bomber. Following comprehensive aircraft preparation, they took off from Lester’s Field in St. Johns at 16:13 GMT on June 14, 1919.

The crew faced several challenges along the way including heavy fog, snow, icing, and severe turbulence. Despite these obstacles, they crossed the Atlantic and reached Ireland's coast. They landed on soft ground in Clifden at 08:40 GMT the following day; although their aircraft was damaged during approach due to a nose pitch-over incident, both pilots were unharmed.

First nonstop solo flight

Charles A. Lindbergh

Date: May 21, 1927

Aircraft: Ryan M2 (Spirit of St. Louis)

Pilot: Charles A. Lindbergh

Distance:3 ,610 miles

Origin: Long Island , New York

Destination : Paris , France

Flight duration :33 hours and30 minutes

In May1927 , Charles A .Lindbergh became the first person to perform a transatlantic flight from New York to Paris using a highly modified Ryan M-2 aircraft( Spirit of St.Louis).

According to Smithsonian National Air & Space Museum," In1919 New York hotel owner Raymond Orteig offered $25 ,000 prize completion first nonstop between New York & Paris.Early1927 Charles Lindbergh obtained backing nine St.Louis investors compete prize." Despite fog inclement weather sleep deprivation,Lindbergh completed feat33 .5hours achieving what many failed before him .

First Nonstop Passenger Flight With An Airship

Eckener Lehmann Date October11 ,1928 Aircraft LZ127 Graf Zeppelin Airship Pilots Hugo Eckener Commander Lehmann First Officer Distance6 ,168 miles Origin Friedrichshafen Germany Destination NAS Lakehurst New Jersey Flight Duration111 Hours44 Minutes Under command Higo Eckener non stop passenger airship took place October11 leaving Friedrichshafen Germany arriving NAS Lakehurst four days later October15 .

While preparations been going years until aircraft route markers crew ready feat.Graf Zeppelin traveled over6000 miles despite several meteorological navigational challenges.Lady Grace Drummond Hay British journalist described publication" The Graf Zeppelin ship soul fly know living vibrant sensitive magnificent thing."

First Nonstop Passenger Flight With Land Based Aircraft German Flag Carrier Lufthansa Date August10 ,1938 Aircraft Focke Wulf Fw200 Condor Operator Lufthansa Distance3 ,728 Miles Origin Berlin Germany Destination Brooklyn New York Flight Duration24 Hours55 Minutes Nearly86 Years Ago Lufthansa Operated First Non Stop Transatlantic Passenger Flight Land Based Aircraft August10 German Based Focke Wulf Nearly25 Hours From Berlin To Making Historic Event Commercial Aviation .

Spokesperson Lufthansa States Reported Forbes " As World 's First Four Engined Land Based Passenger Aircraft Record Time Indicated Possibilities Future Revolutionary Offered Room26 Passengers Traveled Comfortable Upholstered Seats For First Time Specially Trained Stewardesses Employed Onboard Looked After Passengers."

First Transatlantic Commercial Jet Flight British Overseas Corporation BOAC Date October4 ,1958 Aircraft De Havilland DH106 Comet Operator BOAC Distance3 ,550 Miles Origin Idlewild Airport New York Destination London Heathrow Flight Duration6 Hours12 Minutes British Overseas Corporation BOAC Became Scheduled Transatlantic Commercial Jet October4 Two Simultaneous Flights One Eastbound From London Registration APDB Other Westbound G APDC .

Independent States One Attendants Peggy Thorne Shared Experience Saying"It Marvellous Used Travelling Boeing Stratocruisers Took20 Hours Couldn’t Believe Possible Short Time Dignitaries Board Press Chairman Thrilling Served Customers Madeira Biscuits Coffee Came Cocktails Canapes Five Course Lunch Wines Ate Drank Board Until Got Off."

What Are Thoughts On Firsts Share Views Comments Section.

###

Organizations Included in this History
More News

The 72nd Annual General Meeting of Deutsche Lufthansa AG commenced punctually at 10:00 a.m. today, with up to 35,000 shareholders registered for the event.

May 6, 2025

Emirates has announced the launch of a new daily flight route between Dubai and Hangzhou, marking an expansion into Eastern China.

May 6, 2025

Centrally located at Odeon 333, opposite the Raffles Hotel, Emirates has opened its World Store in Singapore.

May 6, 2025

dnata, a global air and travel services provider, has announced plans to introduce 800 new ground support equipment units in 2025.

May 6, 2025

Emirates has partnered with S.L. Benfica to provide children with a unique player escort experience.

May 6, 2025

Air India has announced the launch of daily non-stop flights between Delhi and Tokyo Haneda, commencing on June 15, 2025.

May 5, 2025