On August 21, 1963, an Aeroflot Tupolev Tu-124 made an emergency water landing in the Neva River near St. Petersburg. The aircraft had circled the city, attempting to resolve technical issues before both engines failed due to fuel exhaustion. The pilots successfully ditched the plane in the river, narrowly avoiding bridges and buildings. Miraculously, all 52 people aboard survived, and the aircraft remained largely intact. The incident was one of the first successful controlled ditching in a commercial jet airliner and the first ever on water, showcasing extraordinary piloting skill under extreme pressure.
On August 25, 1919, the world’s first daily international commercial air service began between London and Paris, operated by Aircraft Transport and Travel (AT&T). Using a de Havilland DH.16 biplane, the airline carried just one passenger at a fare of £21, along with newspapers and mail. The flight departed from Hounslow Heath near London and landed at Le Bourget in Paris. This marked the birth of regular cross-border air travel and set the precedent for international airline routes. Though primitive by today’s standards, it demonstrated the potential of aviation to connect countries and accelerate communication and commerce in the aftermath of World War I. In case you're wondering, the £21 fare would be equivalent to £1,396 in today's money (2025) which is pretty good for what was essentially a private charter!
On August 17, 1977, British Airways and Air France successfully launched the first commercial Concorde flights to the United States, landing at Washington Dulles International Airport. This marked a major milestone for supersonic passenger travel, following years of diplomatic delays and environmental concerns—especially over sonic booms. The event signaled the beginning of limited U.S. acceptance of Concorde operations. Flying at over Mach 2, the Concorde cut transatlantic travel times in half, offering unmatched speed and prestige. Although routes remained limited, this first U.S. arrival proved that supersonic airliners could enter regular international commercial service despite significant controversy.
In August 1908, Wilbur Wright captivated Europe with a series of groundbreaking flights at the Hunaudières racetrack near Le Mans, France. It marked the Wright brothers’ first public demonstration of their Flyer in Europe, and for many, the first time they had seen a fully controlled, sustained powered flight. After years of secrecy, skepticism about the Wrights’ claims was widespread—until Wilbur took off on August 8, 1908, in front of a stunned crowd.
Flying a new version of the Wright Flyer, equipped with a more powerful engine, Wilbur executed a smooth, controlled circuit lasting 1 minute and 45 seconds. The French press, previously dismissive, hailed him as a genius. Over the following weeks, Wilbur flew repeatedly, demonstrating turns, figure-eights, and sustained flights lasting over 10 minutes—feats unmatched by any European aviator at the time.
These flights at Le Mans transformed the Wrights’ reputation from obscure bicycle mechanics into pioneers of aviation. The demonstrations led to significant contracts with European governments and are widely credited with triggering the aviation race in Europe.
