History
Documented accounts of aviation’s past—airlines, aircraft, routes, milestones, and personalities—presented with historical accuracy and archival context.
Documented accounts of aviation’s past—airlines, aircraft, routes, milestones, and personalities—presented with historical accuracy and archival context.
Today, in 1919, Deutsche Luft-Reederei operated its inaugural flight between Berlin and Weimar.
Today, in 1972, Aeroflot and Lufthansa jointly launched flights between Moscow and Frankfurt.
Today, in 1998, Colorado-based low-cost carrier Western Pacific Airlines ceased operations.
Today, in 2012, Malév Hungarian Airlines ceased operations after 66 years of service.
Today, in 1954, Japan Airlines began its first international scheduled air service.
Today, in 1964, the three-engined Boeing 727 entered service with launch customer Eastern Air Lines.
Today, in 1986, Boeing completed the purchase of Canadian aircraft manufacturer De Havilland Canada.
Today, in 1966, Auckland Airport, the largest and busiest airport in New Zealand, opened its doors.
The French-built Potez 62 was a twin-engined civilian airliner that took to the skies today in 1935.
The 1959 Convair 880 was designed to compete with the Boeing 707 and the Douglas DC-8.
The quirky-looking Miles M.57 Aerovan took to the skies for the first time on this day in 1945.
Today, in 2020, the largest twin-engined commercial airliner took to the skies for the first time.
Today, in 2004, German leisure airline Condor rebranded after the Thomas Cook Group acquisition.
The Convair 990 'Coronado' took to the skies for the first time today in 1961.
The Boeing 747 carried its first fare-paying passengers today in 1970 with launch customer Pan Am.
A historic moment occurred when British Airways and Air France put Concorde into service.
The Vickers Vanguard, the follow-up to the Vickers Viscount, took to the skies today in 1959.
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From Southern schedules to early jet routes, airlines enabled King’s relentless travel while exposing segregation on the ground.
Today, in 1989, Canadian Airlines International acquired Wardair Canada in a deal worth C$250m.
In a lavish ceremony, Airbus unveiled the prototype A380 (F-WWOW) Superjumbo on this day in 2005.
The Airbus A330 entered service with launch customer Air Inter between Paris and Marseille.
Air California, later AirCal, carved out a niche market during its 20-year existence.
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On this day in 2002, the smallest member of the Airbus A320 family, the A318, took to the skies.
Today, in 1976, British Airways received its inaugural Supersonic Concorde, G-BOAA, at LHR.
After half a century, Dallas Fort Worth International has become one of the world's busiest hubs.
Today, in 1935, Earhart became the first person to fly solo between Hawaii and the US mainland.
Today, in 1989, the instantly recognizable JetCruzer 450 took to the skies for the first time.
After a promising start, the MD-11 program failed to meet expectations. 200 airframes were built.
The Hawker Siddeley Trident was the world's first trijet, beating the Boeing 727 by a year.
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Referred to as aviation's "best little secret," Boeing recognized the potential of the MD-95.
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In 1980, Pan Am was looking to build a domestic network and believed that National was the answer.
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A Pan American World Airways' Clipper was the first commercial aircraft to fly around the globe.
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From its formation in 1955, Transbrasil became Brazil's second-largest carrier until its 2001 end.
In 1964, Pope Paul VI became the first head of the Roman Catholic Church to fly on a commercial jet.
After 23 years of service, Pan Am retired the aircraft that ushered in the jet age in the 1950s.
From military-inspired and designed for the male figure to iconic apparel created by top designers.
Caribbean Airlines replaced state-owned British West Indies Airways (BWIA) today in 2006.
The M-130, whose maiden flight was today in 1934, was built for Pan American Airways.
Today, in 1936, private Uruguayan airline Compañía Aeronáutica Uruguaya S. A. (CAUSA) was founded.
Designed as a replacement for the L-410, the L-610 failed to match the success of its sibling.
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Qantas retired its last Boeing 767 in 2014, after 29 years serving markets unsuitable for the 747.
The An-124 made its first flight today in 1982 and was unveiled to the West in 1985 in Paris.
VietJet Air, the country's first privately-owned airline, took to the skies today in 2011.
Howard Hughes was an iconic aviator from record-breaking flights to his pivotal development of TWA.
Dutch aviation pioneer Anton Herman Gerard "Anthony" Fokker passed away today in 1939.
The Ilyushin Il-86, the USSR's first wide-bodied jet, performed its maiden flight today in 1976.
Ethiopian Airlines grew to become the largest airline in Africa from its humble beginnings in 1945.
On this day in 1957, the prototype Boeing 707 took to the skies, helping usher in the jet age.
New York Air took to the skies today in 1980 to break the Eastern Airlines Shuttle monopoly in NYC.
Airbus was formed through a government initiative between France, West Germany, and the UK.
On this day in 1903, the Wright brothers made their historic first sustained powered flight.
FlyGlobespan was a Scottish LCC that expanded its network to include long-haul transatlantic service
The much-delayed Boeing 787 'Dreamliner' took to the skies for the first time today in 2009.
British World Airlines could trace its history back to 1963 and had built a reputable ACMI business.
In 1977, Airbus offered four jets to Eastern as part of a trial that led to a 23-airframe order.
Thomas Cook Airlines Belgium was founded on this day in 2001 to tap into the leisure market.
In the 90s, Oasis International had a successful charter operation to various European destinations.
Today, in 1958, National Airlines operated the US' first jet-powered domestic flight, beating AA.
British Airways Concorde last few today in 2003. Here are some facts about the supersonic airliner.
Dan-Air operated the last commercial flight of a de Havilland Comet aircraft today in 1980.
Long-haul international airline V Australia was integrated into Virgin Australia today in 2011.
The Lockheed L-188 Electra took to the skies on this day in 1957, two months ahead of schedule.
Berlin's Tegel Airport finally closed for good on November 8, 2020. This is the story of TXL.
Today, in 1919, Avianca, the second-oldest airline in the world, was registered with the name SCADT.
After six decades of incredible aviation heritage, Pan Am ceased operations on this day in 1991.
The DC-7 made American Airlines the first to offer nonstop transcontinental service.
Dan-Air (Dan Air Services Limited) was created in 1953 and sold to BA 39 years later.
This is the story of the first Fokker F27 (PH-NIV), which took to the skies today in 1955.
G-BOAF was the final Concorde built in 1978 and became the final Concorde to fly in 2003.
Here's the story of Hungarian flag carrier Malév, which made its maiden flight in 1954.
Air France Régional became the first European operator of the Embraer E190 today in 2006.
This is the story of the twin-piston-engined Martin 2-0-2, which first took to the skies in 1946.
This is why UK charter and sublease carrier Astraeus Airlines ceased operations today, in 2011.
This is the story of the virtual airline Brighton City Airways, founded in Sussex today in 2012.
Regional carrier Atlantic Coast Airlines announced its rebranding as Independence Air today in 2003.
The General Electric GE90 entered service today in 1995. It changed the way aircraft were powered.
Australia established Qantas in 1920, making it the world's third-oldest commercial carrier.
The Tupolev Tu-114 Rossiya Russian airliner performed its maiden flight today in 1957.
Since 1935, the Noorduyn Norseman was produced for nearly 25 years and had over 900 units built.
This is the tale of the first incarnation of Midway Airlines, which ceased operations today in 1991.
This is the story of Shuttle American, which began operations today in 1998 with three Dash 8-300s.
The twin-engine regional transport aircraft CASA/IPTN CN-235 first took to the skies today in 1983.
Belgian flag carrier Sabena ceased operations today in 2001. It began operations in 1923.
The four-engined German transport Junkers G.38 aircraft completed its maiden flight today in 1929.
Transaero became Russia's first privately owned airline when it began operations today in 1991.
This is the story of VASP, founded in 1933 by the state government of Sao Paulo, Brazil.
This is the story of how TWA emerged from its first bankruptcy today in 1993.
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The Olympus 593 was the soul of Concorde; it was its heartbeat and the force that let it slice through the skies at Mach 2.
The first version of the Airbus A330 widebody aircraft completed its maiden flight today in 1992.
This is the story of Jersey European Airways, which commenced operations today in 1979.
British Airways recruited Lynn Barton as the airline's first female Pilot today in 1987.
Today, in 1955, the first commercial flights arrived at Chicago's new international airport, O'Hare.
Milan Malpensa Airport-based Lufthansa Italia was shut down by its parent company today in 2011.
A Pan Am Boeing 747SP flew to/from San Francisco via both poles on October 28–30, 1977.
The ATR 72 twin turboprop prototype aircraft performed its maiden flight today in 1988.
The Boeing 787 Dreamliner entered passenger service with Japan’s ANA All Nippon Airways today in 2011.
Today, in 1951, Japan's first postwar domestic airline service commenced with a Martin 202.
Icelandic LLC WOW Air acquired rival Reykjavk-based low-fare airline Iceland Express today in 2012.
Today, in 2003, Concorde Speedbird 001 departed London for the last time, bound for New York JFK.
The US Professional Air Traffic Controllers Organization was decertified by the FLRA today in 1981.
