The first transatlantic commercial airline flight is a topic of debate, as multiple milestones in aviation history contributed to what we now consider routine transatlantic air travel. This article explores the key milestones that defined the early days of commercial transatlantic flight and how they contributed to modern aviation.
What warrants the title of “the first flight”?
If you were to ask the question, “What was the first transatlantic commercial airline flight?” the answer depends on the definition of “first”—whether referring to the first flight carrying paying passengers, the first regularly scheduled transatlantic service, or perhaps the first jet-powered crossing.
Photo: Lockheed Martin
While Pan American Airways’ landmark flight in 1939 is often credited as the first transatlantic commercial airline flight, other significant attempts paved the way. According to the U.S. Centennial of Flight Commission, German airlines experimented with early transatlantic mail routes in the 1930s, while airships like the Graf Zeppelin carried passengers across the Atlantic long before fixed-wing aircraft could do so reliably.
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Then, in 1945, the first scheduled transatlantic airline service began. Finally, in 1958, the introduction of jet-powered aircraft revolutionized transatlantic travel, making it faster and more accessible.
Early transatlantic attempts: the era of airships and flying boats
The route between the US and Europe has long been an important link. As such, there have been several attempts to commercialize transatlantic air travel. Before regularly scheduled transatlantic airline services became a reality, aviation pioneers explored various ways to cross the Atlantic by air. However, in the early 20th century, long-distance air travel was still in its infancy, and most aircraft lacked the range and reliability needed to fly nonstop across the ocean.
Transatlantic mail flights and zeppelins
One of the earliest attempts to establish transatlantic air services came from Deutsche Luft Hansa, the German national airline, experimenting with transatlantic mail routes in the early 1930s. These mail routes often relied on seaplanes and dirigibles (airships) rather than conventional airplanes, as they could land on water, making refueling stops more feasible. However, these services were limited to mail transport and did not involve regular commercial passenger flights.
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Traveling on the Hindenburg was an expensive but luxurious affair with notable improvements over the earlier Graf Zeppelin.
At the same time, airships—particularly German zeppelins—were already making transatlantic crossings with passengers. The Graf Zeppelin, one of the most famous airships in history, completed its first transatlantic crossing in 1928, flying from Germany to the United States. Throughout the late 1920s and early 1930s, it continued to carry passengers across the Atlantic, offering a luxurious, though slow, alternative to steamship travel.
However, the tragic Hindenburg disaster in 1937, where a hydrogen-filled airship caught fire upon landing in New Jersey, effectively ended the era of passenger-carrying zeppelins. Attention shifted toward heavier-than-air aircraft, particularly flying boats, which had greater potential for long-distance travel.
The rise of flying boats
During the 1930s, airlines sought ways to develop transatlantic commercial flights using large flying boats. These aircraft were ideal for oceanic travel because they could land on water, eliminating the need for long runways, which were scarce at the time. British Imperial Airways and American Pan American Airways conducted experimental transatlantic flights in 1936, though these were primarily test flights rather than commercial services. However, these efforts laid the foundation for what was to come.
The first transatlantic commercial flight with paying passengers
Aviation companies had long envisioned regular transatlantic passenger services, but technological and political challenges delayed their realization. The breakthrough finally came on June 28, 1939, when Pan American Airways launched the first transatlantic flight with paying passengers.
According to PanAm.org, the flight was operated using a Boeing B-314 – named the Dixie Clipper – a massive flying boat specifically designed for long-haul flights over water. This aircraft, considered one of the most advanced of its time, could carry a small number of passengers in luxurious accommodations similar to first-class ship cabins.
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Carrying 22 paying passengers, the journey began in Port Washington, New York, and included multiple stops for refueling and rest:
- Botwood, Newfoundland
- Horta, Azores
- Lisbon, Portugal
- Marseille, France
After several days, the Clipper successfully completed its journey, marking the first time paying passengers had flown commercially across the Atlantic. The ticket price for this historic journey was exceptionally high, meaning only the wealthiest travelers could afford it – some of whom had paid for the flight years earlier! While this flight was a one-time event rather than a regularly scheduled service, it proved that commercial transatlantic flights were feasible, and Pan Am had plans to operate twice-weekly services to Europe.
Photo: Library of Congress | Wikimedia Commons
According to US Centennial of Flight Commission, on July 8, a flight operated between New York and Southampton, with passengers paying $375 (a hefty sum at the time) for a one-way journey across the Atlantic. By the onset of World War II, Pan Am had established itself as the dominant force in transatlantic air travel, leveraging its extensive experience in Pacific and South American operations through its renowned Clipper service. The airline provided regular seaplane flights from LaGuardia Airport in New York City to Lisbon, Portugal, which served as the primary gateway into Europe during that period.
Unfortunately, the outbreak of World War II abruptly halted further expansion of commercial transatlantic routes, as aviation resources were diverted to the war effort. Nonetheless, the flight of the Dixie Clipper on June 28th, carrying the first paying passengers, signaled the dawn of a new era in aviation. For the first time, transatlantic air travel was accessible—at least to those who could afford the fare.
When World War II ended in 1945, airlines rushed to establish regular transatlantic commercial flights. Advances in aircraft technology during the war significantly improved the range and efficiency of airplanes, making scheduled transatlantic flights possible.
The shift to land planes and the first jet-powered transatlantic flight
Unlike earlier transatlantic crossings that relied on flying boats, these new flights used land planes, marking a significant shift in long-haul aviation. Land planes had several advantages:
- They were faster and more efficient.
- They did not require water landings.
- They could carry more passengers.
These factors helped make transatlantic flights more accessible and practical for travelers. As a result, scheduled transatlantic flights quickly grew in frequency and popularity.
The next major milestone in transatlantic air travel came in 1958 with the introduction of jet-powered aircraft. On October 4, 1958, British Overseas Aircraft Corporation (BOAC) operated the first scheduled jet-powered transatlantic flight using a De Havilland Comet 4, per Airways Mag. The aircraft flew from London to New York, dramatically reducing travel time compared to the older propeller-driven planes.
The introduction of jet aircraft revolutionized transatlantic travel:
- Shorter travel times – Jet engines allowed planes to cross the Atlantic in just a few hours rather than over a day.
- Greater reliability – Jets were less prone to mechanical failures than piston-engine aircraft.
- Lower costs over time – Increased efficiency led to lower fares, making air travel accessible to more people.
Following BOAC’s success, other airlines, including Pan Am and TWA, quickly introduced jet services across the Atlantic, ushering in the Jet Age of commercial aviation.
Conclusion: the evolution of transatlantic air travel
The journey towards transatlantic commercial air travel was not a single event but a series of milestones: from Pan Am’s Dixie Clipper flight to the first jet-powered transatlantic flight. Each of these events played a crucial role in shaping modern transatlantic aviation. Transatlantic flights are routine today, with hundreds of flights operating daily between North America and Europe. What was once an expensive and risky adventure in the 1930s has become an everyday convenience, allowing millions of passengers to cross the Atlantic quickly and affordably.
Photo: Vincenzo Pace | Simple Flying
Today, transatlantic travel is more accessible and efficient than ever – according to OAG, an average of 530 flights fly from Western Europe to the US daily! Unlike the early days of aviation, when only a handful of airlines operated expensive and lengthy crossings, modern passengers can choose from a wide range of carriers, aircraft, and service classes to suit their preferences and budgets.
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State-of-the-art jets like the Boeing 787 Dreamliner and Airbus A350 have made long-haul flights more comfortable and fuel-efficient. At the same time, advancements in in-flight entertainment and connectivity allow travelers to stay productive or entertained throughout their journey. Additionally, increased competition and airline alliances have led to lower fares and more seamless connections, making international travel an integral part of business, leisure, and global connectivity.
The dream of transatlantic flight, which once seemed impossible, has become integral to global connectivity—thanks to the pioneers who made it a reality.