First Jet Makes Test Flight July 27,1949

On July 27, 1949, the world's first jet-propelled airliner, the British De Havilland Comet, makes its maiden test-flight in England.

The Comet was the creation of English aircraft designer and aviation pioneer Sir Geoffrey de Havilland (1882-1965)

After its July 1949 test flight, the Comet underwent three more years of testing and training flights. Then, on May 2, 1952, the British Overseas Aircraft Corporation (BOAC) began the world's first commercial jet service with the 44-seat Comet 1A, flying paying passengers from London to Johannesburg.

The Comet was capable of traveling 480 miles per hour, a record speed at the time.