How Long Did Charles Take From New York to Paris?

By Michael Ferguson

Charles Lindbergh, the famous American aviator, made history on May 20-21, 1927, by becoming the first person to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean. He flew from New York to Paris in a single-engine monoplane named Spirit of St. Louis. It was an incredible feat of aviation that captured the imagination of people worldwide.

The Flight

Lindbergh took off from Roosevelt Field near New York City on May 20, 1927, at 7:52 a.m. local time. He flew over Long Island and headed out over the Atlantic Ocean towards Europe. His plane was equipped with only basic instruments and had no radio or other communication devices.

The Journey

Lindbergh’s journey was not without its challenges. He faced strong headwinds, fog, and fatigue during his flight. At one point, he even had to climb out onto the wing of his plane to clear ice off the carburetor.

Despite these obstacles, Lindbergh persevered and continued flying through the night until he finally spotted the coast of Ireland early on May 21.

The Landing

After flying over Ireland and England, Lindbergh made his final approach into Paris. A crowd estimated at over 100,000 people gathered at Le Bourget airfield to witness his historic landing.

At 10:24 p. local time on May 21st, Lindbergh landed safely at Le Bourget airfield in Paris after flying for a total of 33 hours and 30 minutes.

The Impact

Lindbergh’s flight had a profound impact on aviation history and popular culture. It demonstrated that long-distance flights were possible without multiple refueling stops along the way. The public hailed him as a hero for his bravery and determination.

The Spirit of St. Louis is now on display at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C. as a testament to Lindbergh’s incredible achievement.

Conclusion

Charles Lindbergh’s flight from New York to Paris was a defining moment in aviation history. His bravery and determination paved the way for future long-distance flights, and his name will forever be associated with this incredible feat of human achievement.