Today marks the 50th anniversary of Australia’s domestic jet age. On October 16, 1964, Ansett’s B727-77 VH-RME and TAA’s B727-76 VH-TJA which had tailed each other across the Pacific operating Seattle – San Francisco – Honolulu – Canton Island – Nadi, arrived at Melbourne Essendon Airport. Having won a coin toss Ansett-ANA’s 727 had the honour of landing first. On November 2, 1964 the first commercial services began with Ansett’s B727 VH-RME operating Melbourne to Sydney in a record time of 47 mins, 55 secs.