Diamonds in the Sky

Air travel today makes better sense when thrown into relief by what came before. In 1919, airline pilots followed railway lines expecting to make regular forced landings. But as wood and fabric bi-planes gave way to comfortable and reliable Empire flying-boats, service levels on the ground and in the air became more and more exclusive. Among all that we've gained, what have we lost?

The air conquest of the North Atlantic pit the aeroplane against the elements and against the airships - and of both against the ocean liners - in a race to the first commercial air service over the most prestigious route linking the New World with the Old.

7 out of 10 travellers are on holiday, all flocking to the same 'unspoilt' beaches, beauty spots, and places of interest. What is the social impact of millions of package air tourists descending on countries, large and small, developed and underdeveloped?

The British Airways team operating in the Middle East is accustomed to dealing with fuel crises, food shortages, technical problems and even wars. But the sonic boom of Concorde shatters the serenity of an oil sheikh's palace - and the repercussions are anything but routine.

Where has civil aviation brought us in the last 60 years, and where might it take us all in the future? Whatever technical challenges aviation engineers may be resolving, the whole future of air travel - as a social force - still holds many unanswered questions.