aviation

Development and operation of aircraft. In 1783 the balloon became the first aircraft to carry humans. Production of a successful glider in 1891 and refinement of the internal-combustion engine led to the first successful engine-powered airplane flight by Wilbur and Orville Wright in 1903. World War I accelerated the expansion of aviation, and in the 1920s the first small airlines began carrying mail and passengers. World War II was another period of innovation in aircraft size, speed, and range. In the late 1940s the jet engine made possible the subsequent development of commercial airlines throughout the world. Seealso airship; helicopter; seaplane.

Learn more about aviation with a free trial on Britannica.com.

Air travel is a form of travel using an airplane.

The comfort experienced when traveling by air depends on several factors starting with the airport, the choice of the airline and the travel class.

Travel class on an airplane is usually split into a two or four class model. Domestic flights usually have two classes: economy Class cabin and business class cabin, whereas international flights usually have four classes: an economy class cabin, a premium economy cabin, a business class or a club class cabin and finally, a first class cabin.

The differences between premium economy and economy are quite significant, but the cost is not greatly altered by purchasing a premium Economy ticket. The price difference between an economy class ticket and a first class ticket, however, are often extreme.

Most air travel starts and ends at a commercial airport. The typical procedure is check-in, border control, airport security baggage and passenger check before entering the gate, boarding, flying and pick-up of luggage and - limited to international flights - another border control at the host country's border.

See also

• Air safety
• Airport Check-in
• Commercial aviation
• Punctuality

External links

• Chasing the Sun - History of commercial aviation, from PBS
• Thomas Cook Timetable - provides a list of all known airplane, rail and boat connections