Aircraft Transport and Travel

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Aircraft Transport and Travel Limited was a British airline formed during the First World War. It was the first airline to operate a regular international flight (between London and Paris).

[edit] History

Aircraft Transport and Travel (AT&T) was formed on 5 October 1916 by George Holt-Thomas. Using a fleet of former military Airco DH.4A biplanes it operated relief flights between Folkestone and Ghent. Despite a lack of support from the British government the company flew a proving flight across the English Channel on 15 July 1919. Flown by Lt. H Shaw in a Airco DH.9 between RAF Hendon and Paris-Le Bourge, the flight took 2 hours and 30 minutes and cost £21 per passenger.

The following month the company used DH.16s to start a regular service. The first flight on the 25 August 1919 was the start of the first regular (daily) international service in the world. Despite problems with bad weather the airline soon gained a reputation for reliability. In November 1919 it won the first British civil airmail contract. Six Royal Air Force Airco DH.9A aircraft were loaned to the company to operate the airmail service between Hawkinge and Cologne. They were returned to the Royal Air Force in 1920.

As well as the London (Hounslow)-Paris service AT&T also operated a Croydon Airport to Amsterdam service on behalf of KLM using the DH.16. AT&T aircraft G-EALU operating the first KLM service between London and Amsterdam on the 17 May 1920.

By 1921 there were six companies operating a London to Paris service, three French and three British. The French airlines were receiving subsidies from the French Government and in protest the three British airlines (including AT&T) stopped services on 28 February 1921. Shortly after the company closed down and the aircraft were put into storage or sold.

[edit] Aircraft

• Airco DH.4
• Airco DH.4A
• Airco DH.6
• Airco DH.9
• Airco DH.9A
• Airco DH.9B
• de Havilland DH.16
• de Havilland DH.18

[edit] References

• The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft (Part Work 1982-1985). Orbis Publishing. 
• Jackson, A.J. (1974). British Civil Aircraft since 1919 Volume 2. London: Putnam. ISBN 0 370 10010 7. 

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