Since May 2nd, 1952, B.O.A.C. have been operating scheduled services with 36-seat de Havilland Comet Series 1 jet airliners. When, a few days before the historic departure for Johannesburg, Sir Miles Thomas formally announced the Corporation's plans for introducing the Comet, he referred to the occasion as one of "high promise and significance" and to the aircraft as a "superb product of British invention, enterprise and skill." Until a few months ago B.O.A.C. had remained the first and only operator of jet airliners and, in fulfilling the promise of those early days, the British airline has evoked the admiration of passengers and the envy of other companies throughout the world.
Source: Flight International
