Graf Zeppelin landed at Lakehurst on 29 Aug 1929, completing its 21-day round-the-world flight and making Lady Drummond-Hay the first woman to circumnavigate the globe by air.
On 29 August 1929, the Graf Zeppelin landed at Lakehurst, New Jersey, completing a historic 21-day circumnavigation of the globe that had begun on 15 August. Lady Grace Drummond-Hay, who had been aboard for the entire journey—including stops in Friedrichshafen, Tokyo, and Los Angeles—became recognized as the first woman to travel around the world by air.
This achievement was a landmark moment not only in the history of aviation but in the history of women's exploration and journalism. At a time when air travel was still hazardous and unproven over such vast distances, Drummond-Hay's participation as the sole female passenger throughout the entire circumnavigation demonstrated extraordinary physical endurance, professional dedication, and personal courage.
The flight set records for the fastest circumnavigation of the globe at the time, showcasing the potential of airship technology for global travel and communication. Drummond-Hay's extensive newspaper coverage throughout the journey brought the experience of round-the-world air travel to millions of readers, and her achievement became a touchstone reference point for later women aviators and explorers. She is remembered today as one of the foundational figures in the history of women in aviation and global exploration.