Centenary of Civial aviation

A postcard with the commemorative postmark of the centenary of the first international passenger air service in UK 

On August 25, 1919, the first regular international passenger air service took place between London and Paris.

This fledgling flight, operated by Air Transport & Travel Ltd (AT&T) -- a forerunner of British Airways (BA) -- took off from Hounslow Heath, not far from what's now Heathrow Airport.

Centenary celebrations: 2019 will mark 100 years of international air services operated by British Airways and its predecessor airlines -- including Aircraft Transport and Travel, pictured left, which operated what's considered the world's first daily international passenger, mail and parcel service -- between London and Paris in 1919

Pictured here: Aircraft Transport and Travel poster by MB, 1919

AT&T's marketing poster depicted iconic landmarks in each city: London's St Paul's Cathedral and Paris' then-relatively new Eiffel Tower.

The glamorous ad also stressed the frequency of the new service -- it departed daily, which seemed rather incredible at the time.

1919 was a pretty action-packed year for aviation milestones; on June 15, British aviators John Alcock and Arthur Brown completed the first nonstop transatlantic flight, paving the way for the popular London to New York route passengers use today.

Still, 100 years ago, aviation was often the sole realm of brave adventurers and experienced aviators, so the daily London to Paris passenger flight, although it also transported mail and parcels, represented a new era in commercial flying.

The first scheduled daily international service, about to depart from London to Paris.

The De Havilland DH4A G-EAJC aircraft, built for combat during the First World War and reimagined as a civilian airplane, made its way across the English Channel in a fairly swift two hours and 30 minutes. It was powered by a single Rolls Royce Eagle piston engine.

Piloted by RAF veteran Lt E. H. "Bill" Lawford in an open-air cockpit, on board was one passenger, George Stevenson-Reece who was a journalist for London's "Evening Standard" newspaper, plus a consignment of leather, two grouse and a few jars of Devonshire cream.

Stevenson-Reece paid 20 guineas for the journey (£21).

If that sounds like a good deal, bear in mind £21 in 1919 is equivalent to over £1000 ($1225) in today's currency.

Weather conditions were apparently not particularly favorable, but the aircraft was greeted with enthusiasm by reporters and photographers upon landing in Le Bourget. 

Later, flights on the service held up to 14 passengers. 

Thanks Tom for this beautiful postcard !