The airline industry is 100 years old. On 17 May 1911 the first fee-paying passenger to a specific destination took flight in a tiny biplane. Other "firsts" since then include:
• Aeroplane with toilet, 1913 Passengers had to cross their legs until the giant Russian Knight arrived.
• In-flight meals, 1919 Sandwiches, fruit and chocolate were offered on London-Paris flights for 15p.
• Air hostesses, 1930 United Airlines stewardesses had to be nurses – and not more than 25 years old or 115lb.
• Air charter holiday, 1932 "But air travel IS safe . . ." was the forlorn slogan of the London travel company arranging flights to Switzerland.
• In-flight magazine, 1947 The honour went to Pan American's Clipper.
• Duty-free shop, 1947 Irish souvenirs were offered for sale at Shannon airport.
• Supersonic airliner, 1968 The TU144 beat Concorde, the plans for which the Russians had nicked, hence the name "Concordski".
• 2011 Spaceport Richard Branson's Virgin Galactic base in New Mexico opened to the public last week.
