Routes through the Skies

Lindbergh’s Atlantic crossing triggered a race to meet similar challenges. Commercial aviation is flourishing, while Aéropostale continues to grow, with the creation of South American lines. New legends are crowned by the public on both sides of the Atlantic: Jean Mermoz, Antoine de Saint-Exupéry...

As early as 1931, the first round-the-world trip is completed in 8 days by veteran pilot Wiley Post. He is acclaimed by the crowd upon his arrival in New York City. Then, the billionaire Howard Hughes achieves his world tour in only 91 hours. Women are also honored, with the first famous female pilots, such as Amelia Earhart. Aviation breaks all the records.

These are also the years of the seaplane and the blimp. As powerful as the airplane and of gigantic size, the airship is able to compete with the plane. But the terrible explosion of the Hindenburg will abruptly end this adventure in May 1937.