Thomas Thornton becomes the first passenger on an aeroplane in South Africa

Updated: 30 Sep 2019

On 19 March 1910, Thomas Thornton became the first person to fly on an aeroplane as a passenger when he paid Albert Kimmerling £100 for a short flight from Sydenham Hill.On the same day, Rand reporter Julia Stansfield became the first female passenger to fly on a plane when Kimmerling took her on a flight over Johannesburg. Kimmerling, a Frenchman, made the first powered flight in South Africa in a Viosin Canard Seaplane. This flight took place in East London on 28 December 1909,over the Nahoon Racecourse. At the end of February 1910, Kimmerling made three flights in Sydenham Hill, near Orange Grove in Johannesburg.

How we know this

01Wallis, F. (2000). Nuusdagboek: feite en fratse oor 1000 jaar, Kaapstad: Human & Rousseau.
02planespotter, History of Aviation in South Africa, from PlaneSpotter, [online], Available at planespotter.iteg.co.za [Accessed: 11 March 2009]

Last updated · 30 Sep 2019

Cite this entry

South African History Online. (2011, March 16). Thomas Thornton becomes the first passenger on an aeroplane in South Africa. South African History Online. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0011325

South African History Online (2011) 'Thomas Thornton becomes the first passenger on an aeroplane in South Africa', South African History Online, 16 March. Available at: https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0011325 (Accessed: 13 October 2026).

South African History Online, Thomas Thornton becomes the first passenger on an aeroplane in South Africa [website], https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0011325, (accessed 13 October 2026).

"Thomas Thornton becomes the first passenger on an aeroplane in South Africa." South African History Online, 16 Mar. 2011, https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0011325. Accessed 13 Oct. 2026.

South African History Online. "Thomas Thornton becomes the first passenger on an aeroplane in South Africa." South African History Online. March 16, 2011. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0011325.