Aviation History

Latest History Posts

3/27/2008: London Heathrow's T5 Begins Operations

Today, in 2008, London Heathrow's Terminal 5, the new home of British Airways, began operations.

3/26/1992: Maiden Flight of the Saab 2000

Today, in 1992, the prototype Saab 2000 took to the skies for the first time.

3/25/1993: First Female Concorde Pilot

Today, in 1993, Barbara Harmer made her first Concorde flight on the London-New York route.

3/24/2007: Flybe Takes Over BA Connect

Today, in 2007, BA Connect disappeared from the skies after its takeover by Flybe.

3/23/1998: Norway's Braathens SAFE is Rebranded

Today, in 1998, Norwegian carrier Braathens SAFE changed its name and corporate identity to Braathens.

3/22/1989: The An-225's Record-breaking Flight

Today, in 1989, the Ukrainian flying behemoth An-225 set 110 new world records during a single flight.

3/21/1996: US, Russia Begin Supersonic Transport Research

Today, in 1996, a US-Russian Joint Commission began technical interchange on SST tech.

3/20/2011: First Flight of the Boeing 747-8I Aircraft

Today, in 2011, the Boeing 747-8I wide-body airliner performed its maiden flight.

3/19/2014: Aer Arran Announces Stobart Air Rebrand

Today, in 2014, Aer Arran announced it would change its name to Stobart Air.

3/18/1962: American Airlines Introduces the Convair CV-990

Today, in 195862, American Airlines' first Convair CV-990 Astrojet entered service from New York.

3/17/2017: IAG Launches Long-Haul Airline, LEVEL

Today, in 2017, IAG launched its newest airline, Madrid, Spain-based LEVEL.

3/16/1947: First Flight of the Convair CV-240

Today, in 1947, the Convair CV-240 took to the skies for the first time.

3/04/2002: Ansett Australia MK. II Ceased Operations

Today, in 2002, the second incarnation of Ansett Australia ceased operations.

3/15/1951: Qantas' Maiden Flight Across the South Pacific

Today, in 1951, a Qantas Airways flying boat operated its first flight across the South Pacific.

3/14/1947: Saudia Takes to the Skies with a Douglas DC-3

Today, in 1947, Saudia, aka Saudi Arabian Airlines, as it was then known, began scheduled operations.

3/13/2006: Volaris Takes to the Skies with First Revenue Flight

Today, in 2006, Mexican low-cost carrier Volaris operated its first revenue flight.

3/12/2004: Maiden Flight of the Embraer E190

Today, in 2004, the Brazilian Embraer E190 aircraft (PP-XMA) took to the skies for the first time.

3/11/1993: Maiden Flight of the Airbus A321

Today, in 1993, the A321 prototype took to the skies for the first time from Airbus' Hamburg Finkenwerder plant.

3/10/2004: Hong Kong's HK Express is Founded

Today, in 2004, Hong Kong-based low-cost carrier HK Express was founded.

3/09/1989: Eastern Airlines Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy

Today, in 1989, Eastern Airlines, a major US airline since 1926, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

3/08/1991: Air Europe Ceases Operations

Today, in 1991, Air Europe, one of the United Kingdom's biggest independent airlines, ceased operations.

3/07/1957: Maiden Flight of the Antonov An-10

Today, in 1957, the Antonov Design Bureau marked a milestone with the maiden flight of the Antonov An-10 Ukraina.

3/06/1970: BEA Airtours Operates Maiden Flight

Today, in 1970, the charter arm of British European Airways, BEA Airtours, took its maiden flight.

3/05/1923: Sikorsky Aero Engineering Corporation Is Founded

Today, in 1923, the Sikorsky Aero Engineering Corporation was founded by Igor Sikorsky.

3/03/2012: Continental, United Airlines Merger Completed

Today, in 2012, Continental Airlines finally merged with United Airlines, the former ceasing brand operations.

1/25/2020: Boeing 777X Completes Maiden Flight