What was the first jet-powered commercial airliner?

The first jet-powered commercial airliner was indeed the de Havilland Comet. It made its inaugural flight in 1949 and entered service with British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC) in 1952. The Comet was groundbreaking for its time, featuring a pressurized cabin and a design optimized for high-speed, high-altitude flight, which significantly improved passenger comfort and travel times compared to propeller-driven aircraft.

The importance of the Comet extends beyond just being the first; it set the stage for the development of future jet airliners. While subsequent models, including the Boeing 707 and Concorde, brought advancements in performance and passenger experience, they owe a debt to the pioneering efforts of the de Havilland Comet. The Airspeed Ambassador, although noteworthy in its own right, was not a jet aircraft, further accentuating the significance of the Comet in aviation history as the first to successfully operate in commercial service.