The invention of the aeroplane was the dawn of a new way of travelling, its potential quickly realised as aircraft were developed to carry mail, and then passengers, over distances that would previously have taken many hours or even days. Successive aircraft in turn changed how we experience flight and how far we could go, introducing new standards of on-board service. Flying became an experience like no other; modern airliners offer unparalleled levels of comfort and economic benefits for their operators with levels of automation hitherto unimagined. This book presents the exciting airliners which can genuinely claim to have changed air travel, from the early mail planes and piston liners through the emergence of the jet age, to the sleek and ultra-modern airliners of today. AUTHOR: Matt Falcus enjoys travelling the world experiencing different airports and flying on different aircraft. He writes for a variety of aviation magazines, has published a number of aviation books, and has even turned qualified pilot, with hundreds of hours under his belt. His website (www.airportspotting.com) provides information for aviation enthusiasts and has grown into a remarkable resource, with around 35,000 monthly visitors. 82 colour and 55 b/w images