What event is considered the beginning of the Jet Age?

The beginning of the Jet Age is recognized with the introduction of the Boeing 707 in 1958. The Boeing 707 was the first commercially successful jet airliner, which fundamentally transformed air travel by significantly increasing speed, capacity, and range compared to propeller-driven aircraft of the time. Its introduction marked a pivotal moment in aviation history, as it enabled airlines to offer faster and more efficient long-distance flights, thus changing the landscape of global air transportation.

The significance of the 707 lies in its ability to operate transcontinental and transatlantic routes, appealing to a larger segment of the flying public. This advancement not only revolutionized passenger travel but also set new standards that competitors would aspire to meet. While other aircraft, such as the Concorde and the Boeing 747, contributed greatly to aviation development, they came after the initial shift to jet travel that the Boeing 707 initiated. The Douglas DC-8, introduced in the same year as the Boeing 707, also played a role in the jet age but followed the foundational change that the 707 represented.