First Commercial Transport Exceeding Mach 2

Date: May 26, 1970 • Location: Moscow, Russia

The Soviet Tupolev Tu-144 becomes the first commercial transport to exceed Mach 2.

The Tupolev Tu-144 is a Soviet supersonic passenger airliner designed by Tupolev that operated commercially from 1975 to 1983, including 1977–1978 passenger service.

This milestone marked a defining occurrence in Russia's and world history, leaving an indelible imprint on societal development, international relations, and cultural memory. Its enduring ramifications continue to be examined and commemorated by historians and scholars across the globe.