Although the first airplane did not fly until 1903, flying soon became the fastest method of transport. Today it is1people's favorite way of travelling long distances because it has a lot of advantages. The first airplanes were not big or powerful enough to carry more than a pilot, but during the First World War (1914- 1918) larger aircraft with up to four engines were2to carry bombs(炸弹). After the war some of these were changed to carry a few passenger services. In 1919 the first regular passenger services were started between several cities in Europe.

    Air transport was even then too3for most cargoes(货物), but mail began to be carried by air at an early stage. This was partly because letters are small and light, and partly because businessmen, especially, were prepared to pay more for their mail to be delivered by the fastest method.4, in the United States, where letters could take over a week to cross the country by train, airmail services were the first regular transport flights.

    The early passenger aircraft could carry only about 12 passengers, and only enough5for short journeys. For long distances, such as from Europe to the United States, aircraft filled with very light gas and able to float through the air, began to be used in the 1930s.

    By the end of the Second World War in 1945, much larger airplanes had been made. At the same time, military(军事的) airfields had been built all over the world, and long distance routes had been set up. After the war, the introduction of the jet engine, which6much greater power, allowed even bigger and faster aircraft to be built. Today's wide-bodied airplanes can carry as many as 800 passengers.

    Modern air transport passenger services are quite convenient. Air transport has allowed more people to travel abroad than ever before.