Source: adapted from Taaffe, E.J., H.L. Gauthier and M.E. O'Kelly (1996), p. 131.

Flight Times by Piston and Jet Engines from Chicago

The jet engine, introduced at the end of the 1950s, revolutionalized international air transportation. With a piston engine, an airplane leaving Chicago can service North America within 10 hours. Europe and the bulk of South America can be reached within 15-24 hours, while East Asia is still at least 40 hours away. With a jet engine, a plane leaving Chicago reaches Europe and the bulk of South America within 10 hours and East Asia within 17 hours. Every part of the world can be serviced in less than 24 hours. Jet aircraft were not only much faster but also produced much less cabin vibration and were far easier to maintain than the last generation of huge piston engines.

Copyright © 1998-2008, Dr. Jean-Paul Rodrigue, Dept. of Economics & Geography, Hofstra University. For personal or classroom use ONLY. This material (including graphics) is not public domain and cannot be published, in whole or in part, in ANY form (printed or electronic) and on any media without consent. Permission MUST be requested prior to use.