Air Travel Timeline By 14fungpp1 Mar 1, 1783 1783 The Montgolfier brothers launched the first hot air balloon Mar 1, 1903 The Wright Brothers made the first engine powered flight in 'The Flyer'. It flew for 12 seconds and travelled 37 metres. Mar 1, 1915 The first all metal plane was built by a German, Herman Junkers. It travelled at 170 km an hour. Mar 1, 1940 The first practical helicopter which could carry passengers was developed. Mar 1, 1950 Early jet liners carried about 40 passengers, and had jet engines with propellers called turbo-prop engines. Mar 1, 1969 Jet passenger planes had turbo-jets and no longer needed propellers Mar 1, 1969 Commercial jet liners were able to carry over 400 passengers Mar 1, 2005 The largest passenger aircraft, (so far!) the double-decked, Airbus A380 can carry more than 800 passengers.