Bold claim: aviation isn’t just a mode of travel—it’s a constant race to outdo what came before. If you’re curious how the airplanes that defined decades were chosen, you’re about to get a fresh, beginner-friendly tour through the planes that shaped modern flight, as told by CNN’s renowned aviation expert, Richard Quest. He’s spent a lifetime chasing the thrill of flight, and in his eyes, every aircraft is a milestone in a larger story of engineering, ambition, and imagination. But here’s where it gets controversial: some of his favorites aren’t the most famous or the biggest, and a few picks challenge the common lore of aviation’s greatest hits. Let’s dive in and see which airplanes made the cut and why, with clear explanations, context for newcomers, and a few provocative points to spark your thoughts.
First passenger flight: April 9, 1965
Current status: Retired
The BAC One-Eleven, BAC’s first passenger jet bearing its name, debuted when the company was barely five years old. It marked a bold entry into Europe’s jet era, powered by rear-placed Rolls-Royce engines that delivered a distinctive, if noisy, soundtrack. The One-Eleven quickly became a popular choice for short- to mid-range routes across Europe and beyond, competing with the DC-9 and the Boeing 737 for market share. A longer version emerged in 1967, expanding its reach and client list. Yet the very feature that defined it—the loud rear-mounted turbofans—contributed to its decline as noise regulations and environmental concerns grew stricter. By 2010, its European safety certificate had been revoked, and the last example, owned by Norfolk Grumman, left service in 2019.
Quest’s recollection captures a child’s wonder: a small plane that seemed impossible to lift into the sky, two rear engines howling as it carried families on holidays to Spain. He recalls stepping off at Speke (now Liverpool John Lennon Airport), turning back to look at the One-Eleven, and thinking, “How did that thing fly at all?” That sense of awe never faded. Even today, as he flies long-haul routes and watches takeoffs from his window, the memory of that first spark—of aviation’s magic—persists and fuels his lifelong fascination.
First passenger flight: June 25, 1936
Current status: Retired
In 1929, crossing the United States by air meant multiple hops and train interludes. Then, in June 1936, American Airlines introduced the Douglas DC-3, a twin-propeller workhorse that transformed domestic air travel and opened vast domestic markets. Quest describes the DC-3 as a true game changer: a robust, reliable workhorse that ushered in a new era of speed and reliability, outpacing the competing Boeing 247 in importance and popularity. More than 13,000 DC-3s would be produced, cementing the aircraft’s iconic status. Its influence extended beyond air routes, inspiring ventures like Richard Branson’s Vintage Airways, which used DC-3s for nostalgic experiences.
As Quest notes, the DC-3’s shape is humble, yet its impact was monumental—especially because it predated jets and proved that propeller-driven aircraft could redefine national connectivity. A personal memory reinforces this: Quest flew Vintage Airways in a setup that honored the era—retro liveries, period-appropriate uniforms, Glenn Miller music, era-appropriate magazines, and food that felt like a living snapshot of the past. It wasn’t just a flight; it was a curated time machine for aviation enthusiasts.
First passenger flight: June 26, 1988
Current status: In service
Across the Atlantic, Airbus’s A320 family became a defining force in short-haul travel, symbolizing Europe’s engineering prowess and proving itself in the global marketplace. By October 2025, the A320 family emerged as the most-delivered aircraft in history, a testament to its efficiency and popularity. The A320’s operational cadence—the aircraft taking off or landing somewhere in the world every two seconds—illustrates how deeply it has embedded itself into global air travel. Quest calls the A320, along with the Boeing 737, an engineering marvel that set new standards for efficiency and reliability.
The A320 family has a strong foothold in Europe and around the world. KM Malta Airlines adopted A320s for its 2024 launch, and carriers like easyJet and British Airways rely on the family for short-haul routes. In the United States, American Airlines remains a leading supporter. The A320’s origins trace back to a challenging first appearance: a demonstration flight at the 1988 Habsheim Air Show ended in a crash, a sobering reminder that even groundbreaking aircraft face early hurdles. Yet Airbus recovered, refined the design, and built a family that users around the world now rely on daily.
First passenger flight: October 26, 1958
Current status: Retired
The Boeing 707 established Boeing’s dominance in the jet age. As the first passenger jet produced by Boeing’s commercial division, it helped Pan Am launch the jet era and even drew President Dwight D. Eisenhower to its baptism in October 1958. Its first commercial service, from Idlewild (now JFK) to Paris Le Bourget, rapidly reshaped long-distance travel. The 707 became the staple of transatlantic crossings, a symbol of modern air travel’s reach and speed.
Quest emphasizes the 707’s role in turning air travel into a mass medium: a single-aisle configuration with four engines and a roar that defined the era. The plane’s influence was such that airlines like Pan Am and TWA built their brands around it. The flight Quest remembers most is one from Manchester to Tel Aviv, a personal snapshot of the 707’s era—loud, iconic, and quintessentially early-jet glamour.
First passenger flight: September 8, 1982
Current status: On the way out
The Boeing 767 stands as a quiet powerhouse in the widebody segment. Debuting with United in 1982, it offered a balance of range, efficiency, and comfort that made it the backbone of many fleets. While the glamorous star still often sits with the larger 747, the 767 earned deep respect for its economical performance and thoughtful cabin design, notably a 2-3-2 seating arrangement that optimizes passenger experience in many configurations.
Quest notes the 767’s personal resonance: he often travels on United’s 767s on transatlantic routes between New York and London, appreciating how the design maximizes usable space. Despite some aging airframes, the aircraft remains a favorite for its reliability and economy, a sentiment reinforced by its longevity and continued presence in several fleets.
First passenger flight: June 7, 1995
Current status: In use
Is this the most beloved widebody ever built? The Boeing 777 fits that description for many observers. As a mid-sized twinjet with extraordinary versatility, it redefined long-haul capability. Its design collaboration with launch airlines helped shape its success, and after the 1994 test flight, United launched the aircraft in 1995. It’s remained a staple for carriers worldwide, from Emirates to Singapore Airlines and American Airlines. The 777’s immense influence continues with the upcoming 777X, which promises extended range and capacity, even as its delivery schedule has faced delays.
Quest recalls a pivotal moment when Continental Airlines contemplated swapping its 747s for 777s, recognizing the 777 as a game changer—offering range, passenger capacity, and flexible operations that broadened global reach. He even flew the 777-200LR on a record-setting longest non-stop flight (Hong Kong to London), a testament to the aircraft’s capability and enduring appeal. The 777 remains celebrated for enabling new routes and empowering more people to travel freely, a quality he expects will carry through to the 777X.
First passenger flight: October 25, 2007
Current status: No longer in production, but still in service on several airlines
The Airbus A380, nicknamed the “whale,” represents Airbus’s bold attempt to redefine long-haul travel with the world’s largest passenger aircraft. The program’s lifecycle began with high expectations in the 1980s and culminated in a spectacular double-decker design that could carry more than 800 passengers in theory (commonly around 500 across multiple classes in practice). Aviation executives debated its timing, as demand shifted toward more flexible, smaller jets rather than one gargantuan solution. After a dramatic production run, Airbus ended the program in early 2019, delivering the last A380 to Emirates in December 2021.
Quest underscores the A380 as an engineering marvel, though timing clouded its commercial fate. While some say the aircraft arrived either too late or too early for the market, passengers adore its cabin experience—flat-out gorgeous to behold, with a sense of spaciousness that’s hard to match. He even recounts a personal highlight: stepping aboard Emirates’ A380 “shower” experience, a memorable, if unconventional, luxury on the ground and in the air.
First passenger flight: January 22, 1970
Current status: Being phased out
The Boeing 747, the iconic “queen of the skies,” debuted with Pan Am in 1970 and instantly became the symbol of long-haul luxury and scale. Its distinctive hump added both runway drama and a marketing edge, sparking competition to outdo its rivals. The 747 helped redefine the era of air travel, offering seating across sprawling decks and introducing aviation glamour to the masses with features like the upper-deck lounge.
As production continued for decades, the 747’s era eventually waned as airlines shifted toward efficiency and flexibility. The final 747 rolled off the line in December 2022, and many airframes remain in service with a growing number of operators around the world. Quest reflects on the aircraft’s cultural impact: for many, flying on a 747 felt like a milestone, a signal that travel had become accessible to a broad audience rather than a privilege for the few. The spiral staircase in early models epitomized a period when glamour and engineering prowess went hand in hand.
Memorable flight: Quest recalls his first cross-Atlantic trip on People Express, a scrappy low-cost carrier of the era. The sight of a 747 landing through a hotel window and the nostalgic mid-80s cabin experience—card-based ticketing, vintage cinema, and Chariots of Fire in the cabin—remain vivid memories, illustrating how the 747 helped democratize air travel while still delivering a sense of spectacle.
First passenger flight: January 21, 1976
Current status: Retired
Concorde stands apart as the pinnacle of speed and novelty in commercial aviation. When it began service in 1976, its Mach 2.04 cruising speed (about 1,354 mph) meant transatlantic journeys that previously took hours could be completed in roughly three and a half hours. It was a symbol of prestige, cutting flight times dramatically and delivering a sensation of futuristic travel that modern jets still evoke. The consortium of British Airways and Air France invested heavily, chasing a dream that proved financially challenging and ultimately unsustainable for widespread, long-term profitability. After a fatal Paris crash in 2000 and a prolonged grounding, Concorde’s era ended in 2003, leaving a lasting legacy as one of the most extraordinary aircraft ever built.
Quest’s personal connection to Concorde is deeply emotional. He describes the experience as unmatched—no matter how you boarded, the plane felt incomparable. He flew on Concorde repeatedly and even attended its final flight, an ending he regards with poignant sadness. The cockpit of the Concorde symbolized peak human achievement in supersonic travel, and Quest’s recollection serves as a tribute to an era that inspired wonder and possibility. While modern efforts toward commercial supersonic travel are resurfacing (with projects like Boom), Quest’s favorite story from his career remains the final Concorde flight—a bittersweet reminder of aviation’s constantly evolving frontier.
Would you share which of these aircraft you’d most like to ride and why? Do you think the era of supersonic travel will return stronger than ever, or has aviation moved past the dream of conquering speed at any cost? Join the discussion and tell us your take in the comments.
