BOAC, the Comet era toward Johannesburg
In 1952, BOAC opened a new era with the De Havilland Comet, the first jet airliner in commercial service. The old imperial routes changed rhythm: speed became central.
This plan follows the London to Johannesburg line: Heathrow, Rome, Cairo, Khartoum, Entebbe, Livingstone and Johannesburg.
The beginning of commercial jet aviation.
Reopen imperial routes with jet speed.
Revolutionary, elegant and historical.
Great BOAC axis, weather, altitude and fast descents.
Understanding the flight
The Comet marks a rupture. Where Imperial Airways first sought cautious regularity, BOAC enters a logic of performance and prestige.
The journey to Johannesburg keeps the old imperial imagination, but with a machine announcing the jet world.
Before departure
- Prepare descents much earlier than with propeller aircraft.
- Keep readable weather at Cairo, Khartoum and Entebbe.
- Fly the stages as a prestigious BOAC service: clean procedures, high altitude, controlled speed.
- Do not compress the route too much; the stops connect it to Imperial Airways history.
Suggested route
Europe and Egypt
Heathrow, Rome and Cairo provide the European and Mediterranean jet departure.
EGLL → LIRA → HECA
Nile and East Africa
Khartoum and Entebbe place the line on the great African column.
HECA → HSSS → HUEN
Southern Africa
Livingstone and Johannesburg close the route in the south of the continent.
HUEN → FLLI → FAJS
Experience tips
The Comet should be flown with elegance: anticipate, stabilize and let speed speak.
Mentally compare this route with the previous Imperial Airways plans: it is the same world changing tempo.
Copyright Michel Lagneau 2013