The Paris Air Show is so steeped in history that even its location is sacred ground.
On hallowed ground —
The Paris Air Show is so steeped in history that even its location is sacred ground.
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Before the 747, the four-engine McDonnell Douglas DC-8 Super 61 was the largest airliner in the world.
1967: Back when this was a 'jumbo' —
Before the 747, the four-engine McDonnell Douglas DC-8 Super 61 was the largest airliner in the world.
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No one had ever seen a jetliner like this before.
1969: Queen of the Skies —
No one had ever seen a jetliner like this before.
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The Concorde -- the most successful supersonic airliner -- debuted at the 1969 Paris Air Show with a surprise touch-and-go approach: It briefly touched its landing gear on the runway and then jetted off again before turning around and landing.
1969: A supersonic airliner —
The Concorde -- the most successful supersonic airliner -- debuted at the 1969 Paris Air Show with a surprise touch-and-go approach: It briefly touched its landing gear on the runway and then jetted off again before turning around and landing.
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Shown here in a file photo, the tri-engine Tupolev Tu-154 airliner debuted at Paris in 1969.
1969: Tupolev Tu-154 —
Shown here in a file photo, the tri-engine Tupolev Tu-154 airliner debuted at Paris in 1969.
ALEXANDER NEMENOV/AFP/Getty Images
In a way, Airbus' first airliner was born at the Paris Air Show.
1969: The first Airbus airliner —
In a way, Airbus' first airliner was born at the Paris Air Show.
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The world's first supersonic airliner -- the Soviet Tupolev Tu-144 -- first appeared at Paris in 1973.
1973: From triumph to tragedy —
The world's first supersonic airliner -- the Soviet Tupolev Tu-144 -- first appeared at Paris in 1973.
Francois Pages/Paris Match via Getty Images
The Ukrainian-desgined Antonov An-124 'Ruslan' first flew in 1982, and has proved itself to be such a successful civilian cargo hauler that it's still in use today.
1985: Antonov An-124 Ruslan —
The Ukrainian-desgined Antonov An-124 'Ruslan' first flew in 1982, and has proved itself to be such a successful civilian cargo hauler that it's still in use today.
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At the 1993 show, Airbus's powerful, four-engine A340 made the history books, taking off for Auckland, New Zealand, on a nonstop flight that broke records for distance and speed: 11,815 miles averaging 491 mph.
1993: The Airbus A340 shows off —
At the 1993 show, Airbus's powerful, four-engine A340 made the history books, taking off for Auckland, New Zealand, on a nonstop flight that broke records for distance and speed: 11,815 miles averaging 491 mph.
Alain Nogues/Sygma/Sygma via Getty Images
In 1995, Boeing's new widebody airliner, the 777 -- shown here in a file photo -- was one of the stars of the show.
1995: The Boeing 777 —
In 1995, Boeing's new widebody airliner, the 777 -- shown here in a file photo -- was one of the stars of the show.
Boeing
As Paris celebrated the 100th anniversary of its first air show, Sukhoi showed off its new Superjet 100: a single-aisle, regional, twin-engine jet seating about 100 passengers.
2009: Introducing Superjet-100 —
As Paris celebrated the 100th anniversary of its first air show, Sukhoi showed off its new Superjet 100: a single-aisle, regional, twin-engine jet seating about 100 passengers.
PIERRE VERDY/AFP/Getty Images
Boeing brought its stylish 787-8 Dreamliner to Paris for the first time in 2011.
2011: Dream machine —
Boeing brought its stylish 787-8 Dreamliner to Paris for the first time in 2011.
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Boeing made a queen-sized environmental statement in 2011 when it completed the first transatlantic flight of a commercial aircraft powered by sustainable aviation fuel.
2011: A biofuel first for Boeing —
Boeing made a queen-sized environmental statement in 2011 when it completed the first transatlantic flight of a commercial aircraft powered by sustainable aviation fuel.
Boeing
Boeing's 747-8 'Intercontinental' is touted as the "world's fastest" and longest commercial jet and thrilled Paris with its first air show visit in 2011.
2011: The world's longest airliner —
Boeing's 747-8 'Intercontinental' is touted as the "world's fastest" and longest commercial jet and thrilled Paris with its first air show visit in 2011.
Boeing
After the sale success of Boeing's 787 Dreamliner, Airbus launched the all-new A350XWB -- an advanced airliner built with carbon fiber composite technology.
2013: A huge air show surprise —
After the sale success of Boeing's 787 Dreamliner, Airbus launched the all-new A350XWB -- an advanced airliner built with carbon fiber composite technology.
ERIC FEFERBERG/AFP/Getty Images
In 2015, Bombardier brought two new models to Paris: the CS100 and CS300, the first all-new, single-aisle large airliners in three decades.
2015: Bombardier gambles on an all-new jet —
In 2015, Bombardier brought two new models to Paris: the CS100 and CS300, the first all-new, single-aisle large airliners in three decades.
MIGUEL MEDINA/AFP/Getty Images