How many times did the C-75 Stratoliners cross the Atlantic?

Short answer

More than 3,000 transoceanic crossings had been completed by the time they were retired. They flew two main routes: Washington D.C.-Cairo across the South Atlantic, and New York-Prestwick, Scotland, across the North Atlantic. The first North Atlantic crossing was made in March 1942.

Published: November 5, 2026 · Updated: November 5, 2026 · Edited by Above Ten Thousand · Editorial policy

How many times did the C-75 Stratoliners cross the Atlantic?

Boeing 307 Stratoliner "Clipper Flying Cloud

TWA's five 307s transfer to the USAAF

TWA sold its five 307s to the USAAF, but continued operating them on the USAAF's behalf.

Routes and crossings

Two main routes were flown: between Washington D.C. and Cairo, across the South Atlantic, and between New York and Prestwick, Scotland, across the North Atlantic. The first North Atlantic crossing was made in March 1942. From April 22 onward, crossings were made regularly. On July 10, 1942, the airfield on Ascension Island, in the South Atlantic, was opened. By the time the aircraft were retired, more than 3,000 transoceanic crossings had been completed. In ICD service they flew 12,100,000 km (7,500,000 mi).

The return to passenger service

By 1944 the USAAF already had enough long-range transports and no longer needed the small number of C-75s. It cost TWA about $2 million to have Boeing rebuild the five aircraft, and the first of them returned to passenger service on April 1, 1945.