First plane on new service leaves Croydon for for Glasgow . The first aeroplane in the new international air service left Croydon for Glasgow . The first aeroplane a , Airspeed AS.5 Courier, C/N: 11 ( G-ACLR ) on the new daily air service between London and Glasgow ( 400 miles ) left Croydon . Ai speed courier machines of 250 hp are to be used with a cruising speed of about 150 miles an hour . An interesting feature is their retractable undercarriage , which can be drawn into the fuselage when the machine is off the ground to increase speed . The machine carries five passengers and are equipped with wireless . Photo shows , the first plane ready to leave for Glasgow . 19 February 1934