Transatlantic 100
 

I always thought it sad that the statue of Alcock and Brown which we used to taxi past at LHR was removed years ago, as it was a stirring reminder to the passing millions both of British achievement and of the incredible bravery of the early airmen who enabled today's long-haul travel to become a safe routine. As many flyers here will be aware, this weekend has seen the centenary of that flight, albeit with fairly muted coverage.

I'm not sure how "British" BA still feels, but would it not be an appropriate and timely gesture from fellow centenarians if the first two of those gorgeous A350s just about to be delivered from TLS were named "Sir John Alcock" and "Sir Arthur Whitten Brown"?

As an aside, the first non-stop flight across the time zones of the Atlantic introduced the world to the joys of jet-lag:

"‘In our eastward flight of two thousand miles we had overtaken time, Brown wrote. ‘Our physical systems having accustomed themselves to habits regulated by the clocks of Newfoundland, we were reluctant to rise at 7 am; for subconsciousness suggested it was but 3.30 am.’

Brown noted that this difficulty of adjustment to the sudden change in time lasted several days. ‘Probably it will be experienced by all passengers travelling on the rapid trans ocean air services of the future…’

The statue was actually in front of the Heathrow Academy (next to the Renaissance Hotel on the Bath Road) for many years , but was recently moved temporarily to Ireland for the centennial celebrations: Heathrow - Heathrow?s Alcock and Brown sculpture travels to Ireland to mark the centenary of the first non stop transatlantic flight

Yes, though original 1954 location was LHR central next to a taxiway...

I miss the model BA Concorde at the "roundabout" on Tunnel Road. Each time I see that Emirates A380 model I sigh!

rb211.