1997 in aviation

Events

British Airways adopts a new livery which consists of a revised logo and around 20 different ethnic tailfins featuring art and designs representing many countries around the world.

March
Air Comet began airline operations.

March 17–May 28 Linda Finch, pilot, aviation historian, and San Antonio, Texas businesswoman, flying a restored and specially equipped 62-year-old Lockheed L-10 Electra, recreates the 1937 Amelia Earhart flight to circumnavigate the globe solo. Her attempt was successful, taking 73 days. She touched down in Oakland, California.

August
August 1 - Boeing and McDonnell Douglas complete merger forming The Boeing Company.

August 6 - Korean Air Flight 801 crashes in Guam on landing approach. Killing 228 people.

September
September 8 - The Boeing 777-300 is rolled out. At 73 metres (242 feet) it is the longest airliner ever built. This title will be claimed by the Airbus A340-600 in 2001.

September 15 - September 21 - World Air Games in Turkey (among others, consisting of 10th FAI World Rally Flying Championship)

September 26 - Garuda Indonesia Flight 152 crashes in Medan, Indonesia. Killing all 234 passengers and crew.

November
November 17 - ValuJet Airlines terminated operations after merging to AirTran Airways.

First flights

August
August 22 - AASI Jetcruzer 500

October 16 - Boeing 777-300