On September 28th, 1924 two American aircraft completed the first round the world flight. The journey took 175 days. The two aircraft were called the Chicago and the New Orleans. They covered a total of 26,343 miles. Two other aircraft failed to complete the flight.

The planes crossed South Asia via India, crossed the Middle East and arrived in Paris on Bastille Day July 14. Over the Atlantic Ocean on August 5th the Boston was forced to ditch, but its crew was rescued. The planes crossed the Atlantic via Iceland, Greenland, and reached Canada. The crews landed in Washington DC to a hero’s welcome.

Finally, the planes crossed the United States making many stops along the way, landing in Seattle on September 28, 1924. The aircraft had covered 27,553 miles in 175 days.