Marking 60 years since the first transatlantic jet flight

What was the experience like on the maiden transatlantic flight of a jetliner?

Peggy Thorne, a 91-year-old former air steward with British Overseas Airways Corporation, recalls the experience as truly unforgettable.

‘It was thrilling, absolutely thrilling,’ she shares with Dinogo Travel at the British Airways Heritage Center, where she’s been invited to commemorate the 60th anniversary of this aviation milestone.

On October 4, 1958, British Airways' predecessor, BOAC, launched the first turbojet aircraft, the de Havilland Comet 4, operating flights from New York to London and back. Thorne was part of the crew on the eastward-bound journey.

Airplanes had been crossing the Atlantic since the 1930s, with Pan American, a competitor of BOAC, launching the world’s first transatlantic passenger service in June 1939.

However, before 1958, these transatlantic flights could take as long as 20 hours, with multiple stopovers. The BOAC achievement shortened this long journey to the direct 7-hour flight we know today.

An unforgettable experience

As a young woman, Thorne had an adventurous spirit. Her curiosity about the world led her to pursue a career as a flight attendant.

In the 1950s, travel opportunities were limited. Thorne, who worked as a secretary in the foreign office and had already seen some of the world, thought to herself, 'This seems far more exciting than what I'm doing now,' and decided to apply for the job. She remained in the role throughout her career.

Thorne says that the duties she performed on flights were nearly identical to those of today's flight attendants. In fact, in preparation for the anniversary events, she spent a day with British Airways cabin crew members, experiencing flight simulation training.

She was amazed by the modern flight training facilities, especially the aircraft mock-ups. 'Back in my day, we didn’t even have an actual plane to practice on,' she chuckles.

A significant difference back then was that air travel in the mid-20th century was still a highly luxurious experience.

Thorne recalls, 'When the Comet 4 first launched, it was all about luxury – reclining chairs, silver service in first class.' She adds, 'But despite the passage of time, the overall service has remained fairly consistent.'

Passengers were treated to cocktails and canapés, a five-course lunch paired with fine wines, and afternoon tea.

For the wealthy and famous.

It was such a groundbreaking experience that passengers, including film stars, diplomats, and notable figures, eagerly wanted to be among the first to board this magnificent new aircraft. 'It truly was a beautiful plane,' Thorne recalls.

The inaugural flight was attended by dignitaries, the press, and the chairman of BOAC, along with a selection of 'regular' fare-paying passengers who were fortunate enough to be included last-minute.

'When we left London, as a crew, we weren’t sure if we’d get clearance from Idlewild (now John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York) because the Americans had strict regulations about flying over populated areas. We thought Pan American might get the green light before us,' Thorne recalls.

Pan American was determined to be the first airline to fly a Boeing 707 across the Atlantic. However, BOAC managed to beat them by a mere three weeks.

The BOAC crew flew their aircraft to the US a few days ahead of the October 4th flight. Upon landing in New York, Thorne recalls they stripped the plane down to reduce its weight for the noise clearance test. After passing the test, there was a frantic scramble to find passengers to fill the seats.

'We called around New York to see if any fare-paying passengers could make it aboard by 7:00 the next morning,' says Thorne. 'The company managed to find 15 who had already purchased tickets, so it was wonderful that we had paying passengers on board,' she recalls.

On October 4th, two Comets set off from London and New York, each attempting the trans-Atlantic journey. While the London-to-New York flight had to make a refueling stop in Newfoundland, Canada, the New York-to-London flight, with Thorne on board, completed the trip in record time.

Due to favorable winds—a phenomenon that continues to affect flight times on this route—the flight completed the journey in just 6 hours and 12 minutes.

The Comet 4 featured four Rolls-Royce jet engines mounted in pairs within its wings. It boasted a cruising range of over 3,000 miles and could fly at altitudes between 35,000 and 40,000 feet.

While the Comet played a key role in BOAC's victory in the trans-Atlantic jet race, it was the Boeing 707 that ultimately became the aircraft of choice for both BOAC and Pan Am on trans-Atlantic routes, owing to its greater passenger capacity.

Nevertheless, the Comet 4 solidified its place in aviation history with its pioneering 1958 flight. For aviation enthusiasts wanting to see the original Comet 4 up close, the iconic aircraft is currently on display at the Imperial War Museum in Cambridgeshire, England.

Cherished memories

Although Thorne enjoyed being part of the inaugural New York-London flight, she admits it wasn't her favorite route.

"I preferred flying the Tokyo-Australia route, as it took me to destinations like Rome and Beirut, which I found far more fascinating than New York," she shares.

Over time, Thorne’s friends and family became accustomed to her jet-setting lifestyle, she recalls. Her career marked the beginning of the Jet Age, an era where swift trans-Atlantic flights became a regular part of life.

She is excited, she says, to return to British Airways HQ and relive the memories of her adventurous, high-flying youth.