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Throughout the twentieth century and the early decades of the twenty-first century, certain airliners permanently changed the way we fly — through their size, elegance, technological innovation, or cultural impact. This selection brings together ten commercial aircraft that have become true icons of air transport and key milestones in the history of civil aviation.
1. Douglas DC-3
First flight: 17 December 1935
The aircraft that made commercial air transport economically viable and reliable. Robust, versatile, and exceptionally long-lived, it is widely regarded as the true starting point of modern airline aviation.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Douglas_DC-3
2. Boeing 707
First flight: 20 December 1957
The jet that ushered in the era of commercial jet travel. During the 1960s, it transformed air transport by dramatically reducing travel times on intercontinental routes.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boeing_707
3. Boeing 737
First flight: 9 April 1967
The most produced airliner in history. Originally designed for short-haul routes, it evolved into numerous variants and became a constant presence at airports worldwide.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boeing_737
4. Concorde
First flight: 2 March 1969
The symbol of supersonic civil aviation. Capable of flying at Mach 2, it embodied for decades an idea of travel that was exclusive, fast, and technologically daring.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Concorde
5. Boeing 747
First flight: 9 February 1969
The first “jumbo jet” in history. With its iconic hump, it democratized long-haul air travel and redefined the scale and ambitions of global air transport.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boeing_747
6. McDonnell Douglas DC-10
First flight: 29 August 1970
A tri-jet wide-body emblematic of the 1970s. Despite a complex operational history, it played a central role in the development of high-capacity intercontinental flights.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McDonnell_Douglas_DC-10
7. Lockheed L-1011 TriStar
First flight: 16 November 1970
Elegant and technologically advanced, it introduced significant innovations — particularly in automated systems — but suffered from unfortunate industrial decisions and fierce competition.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lockheed_L-1011_TriStar
8. Airbus A320
First flight: 22 February 1987
The first airliner to feature fully digital fly-by-wire flight controls. It revolutionized short- and medium-haul aviation and remains one of the most widely used aircraft families in the world.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Airbus_A320_family
9. Airbus A380
First flight: 27 April 2005
The largest passenger aircraft ever to enter service. Designed to connect major global hubs, it has become an icon of twenty-first-century aviation, both admired and debated.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Airbus_A380
10. Boeing 787 Dreamliner
First flight: 15 December 2009
The aircraft that launched a new generation of airliners, combining composite materials, improved energy efficiency, and enhanced comfort for long-haul travel.
