The Solar Impulse Plane Completes First Ever Solar Powered Flight Around the World

The Solar Impulse plane has landed safely at Bateen Executive Airport in Abu Dhabi, completing its 40,000 km solar-powered flight around the world, a first accomplishment of its kind for solar flight.

Pilot Bertrand Piccard made the last leg of the journey on a flight from Cairo to Abu Dhabi that lasted 48 hours and 37 minutes. The trip began on March 9, 2016 with a flight from Abu Dhabi to Muscat, Oman, and included 17 total flights around the globe.

We have now just watched our shared dream unveil, becoming a reality. It’s with great emotion that I write this last blog to report on the Round-the-World solar flights. Emotions, tears, relief, exhilaration is what we are all feeling right now after completing the first Round-the-World solar flight in history.

A photo posted by Solar Impulse (@solarimpulse) on

Glen Tickle
Glen Tickle

Amelia's dad. Steph's husband. Writer, comedian, gentleman. Good at juggling, bad at chess.