Defense & Military
Airbus and Spanish Air Force Celebrate 100 Years of Plus Ultra Flight
Airbus and the Spanish Air Force commemorate the centenary of the 1926 Plus Ultra South Atlantic flight with a 2026 deployment featuring A400M aircraft and aerobatic displays.
This article is based on an official press release from Airbus and official information from the Spanish Air and Space Force.
In January 2026, the aviation world turns its eyes to the South Atlantic to celebrate a centenary of pioneering spirit. According to an official announcement by Airbus, the manufacturer is joining forces with the Spanish Air and Space Force (Ejército del Aire y del Espacio) to honor the 100th anniversary of the “Plus Ultra” flight, the first aerial crossing of the South Atlantic using a single aircraft.
To commemorate the historic 1926 mission flown by the Dornier Do J Wal seaplane, a modern expeditionary force has been deployed. The tribute mission, dubbed the “Plus Ultra” Centenary Deployment, features two Airbus A400M Atlas transport aircraft and the renowned Patrulla Aspa helicopter aerobatic team. Retracing the footsteps of early aviators, this deployment highlights the dramatic evolution of aerospace technology over the last century.
As reported by Airbus, the event is not merely a ceremonial flyover but a complex logistical operation that underscores the strategic capabilities of modern military aircraft transport. The mission, running from late January through early February 2026, will see air shows and diplomatic events across Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina, reinforcing the deep cultural and historical ties between Spain and South America.
The Spanish Air and Space Force has organized a schedule that mirrors the ambition of the original pioneers. According to mission details released in conjunction with the event, the deployment runs from January 24 to February 7, 2026. The fleet consists of two A400M Atlas aircraft from Wing 31 (Ala 31), based in Zaragoza, and six Eurocopter EC-120 Colibrí helicopters from the Patrulla Aspa (Wing 78).
While the 1926 flight required pre-positioning ships to supply fuel and parts, the 2026 mission demonstrates self-sufficient strategic projection. The A400M aircraft are serving as the backbone of the expedition, transporting the disassembled EC-120 helicopters and support personnel across the ocean. This capability allows the Patrulla Aspa to perform aerobatic displays thousands of miles from their home base.
Key events on the itinerary include:
Reports indicate that the A400M aircraft participating in the tour feature special commemorative livery, including the original registration of the “Plus Ultra” on the vertical stabilizer, visually linking the modern giants to their seaplane ancestor.
The original “Plus Ultra” mission remains a cornerstone of Spanish aviation history. Departing from Palos de la Frontera, Spain, on January 22, 1926, the crew set out to prove the viability of long-distance air travel between Europe and South America. The aircraft, a Dornier Do J Wal (“Whale”) flying boat, was powered by two 450 hp engines and navigated using celestial tools and radio direction finding. The crew, led by Commander Ramón Franco and Pilot Captain Julio Ruiz de Alda, along with Navigator Lieutenant Juan Manuel Durán and Mechanic Pablo Rada, faced a grueling journey. According to historical records cited in the centenary materials, the 10,270-kilometer (6,381-mile) route included stops in the Canary Islands, Cape Verde, and Brazil before reaching Buenos Aires on February 10, 1926.
“The journey was completed in 59 hours and 39 minutes of flying time. It was a massive media event of its era, comparable to the moon landing for the Spanish-speaking world.”
Historical summary of the 1926 flight
The success of the mission established the first air route between Spain and the Southern Cone. The original aircraft was eventually donated to Argentina and is currently preserved at the Luján Museum, serving as a tangible link to the past.
The contrast between the Dornier Do J Wal and the Airbus A400M illustrates the exponential growth in aviation capabilities. While the “Plus Ultra” was a marvel of its time, capable of carrying mail and a crew of four at roughly 145 km/h, the A400M represents the pinnacle of modern tactical transport.
Data provided by the Spanish Air Force and Airbus highlights these technical leaps:
Connecting Heritage to Modern Capability
This centenary celebration is more than a nostalgic look back; it is a strategic demonstration for Airbus and the Spanish Air Force. By deploying the Patrulla Aspa via the A400M, Spain is showcasing “expeditionary air power,” the ability to project soft power assets (like an aerobatic team) rapidly across transoceanic distances without relying on sea freight.
Furthermore, Airbus notes that the Dornier company is a “spiritual ancestor” to the modern consortium. The lineage of European aerospace cooperation is evident here: the Dornier Wal was a German design flown by a Spanish crew, foreshadowing the multi-national collaboration that defines Airbus today. The event successfully frames the A400M not just as a military asset, but as a diplomatic tool capable of bridging continents, much like the seaplanes of the 1920s.
From the Plus Ultra to the A400M: Airbus and Spanish Air Force Mark a Century of Transatlantic History
The 2026 Centenary Deployment
Strategic Logistics in Action
Historical Context: The 1926 “Plus Ultra” Flight
A Century of Engineering Evolution
AirPro News Analysis
Sources
Photo Credit: Airbus