London–Paris passenger service

First scheduled London–Paris passenger service (using airplanes).

August 25, 1919: Inauguration of the commercial airline between Paris and London. Aircraft Travel and Transport inaugurated London–Paris service on August 25, 1919. Later the company started the first trans-Channel mail service on the same route on November 10.

On 15 July 1919, the company flew a proving flight across the English Channel, despite a lack of support from the British government. Flown by Lt. H Shaw in an Airco DH.9 between RAF Hendon and Paris - Le Bourget Airport. The flight took 2 hours and 30 minutes, at a cost of £21 per passenger.

On 25 August 1919, the company used DH.16s to start a regular service from Hounslow Heath Aerodrome to Le Bourget, the first regular (daily) international service in the world. The airline soon gained a reputation for reliability, despite problems with bad weather. In November 1919, it won the first British civil airmail contract.

General characteristics:

Crew: one
Capacity: four passengers
Length: 31 ft 9 in (9.68 m)
Wingspan: 46 ft 5¾ in (14.17 m)

Maximum speed: 136 mph (219 km/h, 118 kn)
Cruise speed: 100 mph (161 km/h, 87 kn)
Range: 425 mi (684 km, 370 nmi)

Six Royal Air Force Airco DH.9 aircraft were loaned to the company, to operate the airmail service between Hawkinge and Cologne.

Source: Wikipedia

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