De Havilland Comet

Production and service summary

In total, 76 Comet 4 family aircraft were delivered from 1958 to 1964. Although BOAC retired its Comet 4s from revenue service in 1965, other operators (of which Dan-Air was the largest and last) continued flying commercial passenger services with the aircraft until 1980. The last Comet flight was conducted in 1997 by a Comet 4C that had been owned by the British government.

Related Topics:
1958 - 1964 - 1965 - Dan-Air - 1980 - 1997

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Although the Comet was the first jet airliner in service, the interruption of commercial service and the damage to the aircraft's reputation caused by the Comet 1 fatigue failures meant that the jetliner market was dominated by Boeing, which flew the first prototype 707 in 1954, and Douglas, which launched the DC-8 program in 1955. Additionally both types had superior range and passenger accommodations compared to the Comet. America would enjoy a near-monopoly of the commercial jetliner market for the next 40 years. Only in the mid-2000s has Europe regained competitiveness with the successes of the Airbus consortium.

Related Topics:
Jet airliner - Boeing - 707 - 1954 - Douglas - DC-8 - 1955 - 2000s - Airbus

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Only fifteen airlines ever used the Comet, the proposed Comet 5 was never built, and the Comet 4s were slowly withdrawn from service.

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Perhaps as a mark of respect, a preserved Comet 4 in BOAC livery is on display at the Museum of Flight, next to Boeing's Seattle factory.

Related Topics:
BOAC - Museum of Flight

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In addition it is notable that a Comet 4c in the Colors of Dan-Air is on display at the Imperial War Museum Duxford, England. The plane is part of the Flight Line Display and made available for touring inside during specific times.

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