First jet powered aircraft to fly
The Heinkel He 178, on August 27, 1939. Powered by a Heinkel He S 3B engine, the flight lasted six minutes.

First twin engined jet to fly
The Heinkel He 280, on March 30, 1941. Powered by two Heinkel He S 8’s, the flight lasted only three minutes due to concerns of the engines possibly overheating.

First four engined jet to fly
The Arado AR 234C, in April 1944. The aircraft was powered by four BMW 003 jet engines.

First six engined jet aircraft to fly
The Junkers EF 131, around late 1946. Each forward swept wing had a large pod, each containing three Jumo 004C engines.

First aircraft to have variable sweep wings
The Messerschmitt Me P1101, though it never flew as its construction was brought to a halt when World War II ended. The wings could not be moved in flight, only on the ground.

First flight across the Pacific Ocean
Accomplished by Sir Charles Kingsford-Smith, from Oakland, California, to Brisbane, Australia, in 1928.

First around-the-world passenger service by an airline
Started by Qantas in 1958.

First jet engine to ever run
The hydrogen fueled Heineken He S 2, created by Professor Ernst Heinkel, in March 1937.