Flying Heavy Metal

The development of the de Havilland Comet and the Boeing 707 herald the end of an era for propeller-driven airliners such as the Douglas DC-3.

Jet travel becomes available to the masses with the development of the Hawker Siddeley Trident and the Boeing 727.

Europe develops Concorde while Boeing develops the 747 jumbo jet.

Jetliner safety enhancements, including the automatic landing capabilities of the Hawker Siddeley Trident, the fly-by-wire capabilities of the Airbus A320 (and lack thereof in the Boeing 737) as well as other safety features currently in development.

New records in airliner size, fuel economy, and passenger comfort with the Airbus A380 and the Boeing 787 (known as the 7E7 at the time). Also explores the wisdom of space airliner travel.