Air-route development in Africa was a direct result of Sir Alan Cobham's 1929 flight through and round Africa in a flying-boat. Beginning in France and crossing the Mediterranean, the route was via Malta, Egypt, East Africa through Kenya and Nyasaland, from Beira to Lagos, across to the Ivory Coast, from Freetown to Cape Bojador and through the Canaries, essentially navigating most of the coast of Africa. Lady Cobham accompanied her husband throughout the long journey, in so doing establishing a record for air travel by a woman.

This is Sir Alan Cobham's first-hand account of his journey; first published in 1930, this new edition is illustrated with over 50 photographs from the trip, including some previously unpublished and straight from the family archive.