Aviation in France

Air routes of France in 1925

The history of French aviation began at the beginning of the 20th century. The French had been involved in human flight since 1783, when François Rozier and the Marquis d'Arlandes flew over Paris in the first human flight in a Hot air balloon. On 7 January 1785 Jean-Pierre Blanchard crossed the English Channel, from Dover to Calais, on board a hydrogen balloon. He was accompanied by John Jeffries, who was the first passenger to fly from the United Kingdom to France.[2] Fixed wing Aviation in France dates back to the early 1900s where the country's first fixed wing flight was recorded in 1909 by Louis Blériot. This was believed to be the first flight in Europe but many disagree and proving its legitimacy as the first flight in Europe is difficult. The country has been involved in many of the industries firsts, such as Charles Lindbergh flight across the Atlantic Ocean from New York to Paris in 1927, it was the first solo non-stop flight across the Atlantic.[3]

Edmond Poillot flying a Voisin biplane with a dog, Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum

French airline Air France flying the French Airbus A380

flag-carrier, Air France

Corsair International

French Blue

France has been a leader in aviation throughout the modern era. One of the French's most prized exports is aircraft from French aerospace company Airbus. French airports and airlines have seen huge success in the 20th and 21st centuries. Airport number throughout the country have tripled and airlines are seeing steady passenger numbers.