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British Airways (BA) has celebrated the 50th anniversary of modern jet flight across the Atlantic with a special service from London to New York.

The era of modern passenger jet travel began on 4 October 1958 when a BOAC Comet flew 40 passengers from London to New York's Idlewild airport, which later became John F Kennedy airport.

One of the passengers on the flight was 22-year-old Brian Barnett, who was invited to take part in the special British Airways service celebrating the 50th anniversary of transatlantic jet travel over the weekend.

Mr Barnett, who had travelled no further than the Isle of Man prior to his trip 50 years ago, was served champagne by cabin staff dressed in old-fashioned navy blue BOAC uniforms.

Speaking to a Telegraph reporter, who was also on the anniversary flight, about his first journey to New York, Mr Barnett said: 'It was unbelievable, a dream. I was elated; it was the highlight of my life. It was a jet plane and I'd never been on a jet plane.'

Two Comet aircraft flew across the Atlantic on 4 October 1958. The plane that left London had to stop to refuel in Newfoundland, taking a total of 10 hours 22 minutes to reach New York, while the eastbound plane managed a non-stop journey across the Atlantic in a record six hours 11 minutes.

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