Atlantic crossing in a hot air balloon

It wasn’t until 1978 when the Atlantic was finally crossed in a hot air balloon. Three people piloted the balloon, Ben Abruzzo, Maxie Anderson and Larry Newman and flew 3,120 miles in 137 hours. The balloon was called the Double Eagle II and has now become a part of balloon history.

All three pilots had several years of aviation experience between them, including hot air balloons, airplanes and gliders. Abruzzo and Anderson had attempted the Atlantic crossing the year before in 1977 but failed as the balloon crashed into the sea off the coast of Iceland.

The balloon launched on the 11th August 1978 from Presque Isle an Maine, and the first 5 days went as planned. On the sixth day the atmospheric conditions caused the balloon to drop 19,500 feet to its lowest point of just above 4,000 feet, which is known as the Big Drop. Luckily the sun heated the envelope and the balloon was able to rise to a safe level.

Once they had passed Iceland they knew that they had done it, and on getting to France started their decent. A transcontinental balloon had never landed on dry land before and upon landing the pilots had made balloon history.