While the COVID-19 pandemic and its resulting restrictions dealt a serious blow to airlines the world over these past two years, this is just one chapter in the evolving story of aviation. The industry has seen all manner of twists and turns, from the first jet airliners to the rise and fall of supersonic travel. Here, we explore some of the most influential and important commercial planes to have ever graced our skies, including a look at the brand-new Virgin Atlantic Airbus A330neo, set for take-off in October.

Having carried 1,205 passengers in the space of three months, the airline folded and the Benoist became the plaything of the wealthy. In 1984, a flying replica was built for the 70th anniversary of the flight, which is now on display in the St. Petersburg Museum of History. 

The Handley Page H.P.42 was Imperial Airways' first major success, as it was specially designed to handle operations from unprepared ground. This meant it was not only ideal for taking off from the grass runways at Croydon Airport but it also made it safer and simpler to land in desert environments across Africa and Asia. This led to the establishment of its long-haul routes and the creation of lots of small airports across Africa, many of which are still used today. Here, the aircraft is pictured in Pakistan in 1934.

It's still possible to experience flight in a Dragon Rapide thanks to UK-based Classic Wings, which operates sightseeing excursions, flying above London, Cambridge, or Cambridge, Ely and Newmarket. The company's two planes have been restored to meet modern regulations and the price (from £99/$133) includes entry to the Imperial War Museum in Duxford.

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The original Caravelle could seat between 90 to 99 passengers, however, later versions increased the capacity up to 131 and was used by such operators as Air France, Lufthansa, United Airlines, SAS and Thai Airways. The aircraft was retired in 2005 and several planes remain on display on airfields and in museums in Europe, North America and Africa.

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A challenge the aircraft faced was finding new routes. Because of the sonic boom produced when the plane broke the sound barrier, it wasn't legal to fly it over highly populated areas, limiting the aircraft's use around the world. Inside the plane though, passengers would have little knowledge of breaking the sound barrier, as the shockwaves did not reach inside the cabin. Instead, travellers were treated to caviar, lobster and guinea fowl while cruising at 1,340 miles per hour (2,158km/h).

The single-aisle, twin-engine jet made its maiden flight in 1987 and was instantly adopted by Air France. Orders from various airlines across the world rolled in throughout the coming decades and the plane was redesigned into other variants like the stretched A321 and shrunken A319. Its latest version A320neo is enhanced to benefit from up to 30% less fuel burn, compared to previous generation aircraft, and increased flight range of up to 560 miles (900km). American Airlines is currently the largest operator of A320s with 438 aircraft in its fleet.

One of the most defining features of the Triple Seven, as it's known informally, is its large landing gear. Each leg has a set of six tyres, making it capable of withstanding a load of up to 32.3 tonnes (29,294 kg). The aircraft also still holds the record for the longest nonstop flight by a (non scheduled) commercial aeroplane, set in 2005 when the 777 flew eastbound from Hong Kong to London, covering 13,422 miles (21,633km).

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Although the Airbus A380 enjoyed a short production life of just 12 years, it's broken quite a few records. Known as a superjumbo jet, it's the largest passenger airliner to hit the skies, carrying up to 853 travellers at one time across two decks. It was the first airliner to have two full decks for passengers (most previous double-deckers have only had partial upper decks) and its maximum take-off weight is that of seven Boeing 737s. Pictured is a mock-up of the A380s interior cabin at its first presentation in 2005.

In July 2020, components of the final Airbus A380's to be built rolled off the production line to rapturous applause by staff at the factory in southwest France. The last planes are being assembled at Airbus's Toulouse factory and set to be delivered to Emirates at the end of 2021. Although there are still over 170 aircraft in operation, the first retired Emirates A380 will be repurposed into furniture and memorabilia for fans of the plane to purchase. The most sought-after piece is surely going to be the aircraft's iconic onboard bar.

There are several features that make the Dreamliner, as the 787 is called, so special. Major aerodynamic improvements mean a 20% increase in fuel efficiency, which combined with the aircraft's lightweight body and all-new wing design, means the aircraft is incredibly energy- and cost-efficient. It's also the first-ever airliner to be constructed primarily out of composite materials – the body is assembled by joining together large barrel sections rather than by attaching multiple aluminium sections with thousands of fasteners.

Inside, the 787 can seat up to 336 passengers with as many as nine seats and two aisles abreast. Thanks to the composite body, the aircraft has larger windows that have replaced plastic window shades with smart glass that offers five levels of transparency. The Dreamliner also claims to minimise jet lag thanks to higher pressure inside the aircraft and higher humidity levels (15% instead of the typical 4%), which leaves passengers more refreshed.

In July 2022, Virgin Atlantic unveiled the swanky cabins onboard its new Airbus A330neo, which is set to take its first passengers to Boston, USA, in early October. The latest addition to the VA fleet, the state-of-the-art aircraft, boasting a wingspan of 210 feet (64m), will be one of the most energy-efficient models in the sky, as it flies further and faster than its rivals. Onboard, it promises a 'premium, personalised experience for every customer'...

Among the cool cabin features are a new Upper Class seat and the Retreat Suite. The latter consists of two exclusive suites with a 6ft 7in seat-come-bed, 27in touchscreen and an ottoman that doubles as an extra seat for pals to join you for a meal or play games. Award-winning social space The Loft has also had a revamp. It now has space for eight people to enjoy a drink (or three) from the self-service fridge. Premium and Economy have not been forgotten about either – both have improved comfort, connectivity and storage. As Corneel Koster, chief customer and operating officer at Virgin Atlantic, says: "The A330neo truly is a plane for the future."

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