Atlantic Explorer Completes Historic Transatlantic Flight After Launching from Presque Isle

PRESQUE ISLE, Maine (WAGM) - A historic journey that began in Presque Isle has successfully concluded in Europe.

The Atlantic Explorer hydrogen balloon landed safely Sunday morning near the towns of Diekirch and Bettendorf and the village of Tandel in Luxembourg, completing the first successful North Atlantic balloon crossing in nearly 20 years.

According to Atlantic Explorer 2026 Press Officer Kim Vesely, pilots Bert Padelt of Pennsylvania, Peter Cuneo of New Mexico and Alicia Hempleman-Adams of Great Britain completed the journey after launching from Presque Isle at approximately 2 a.m. on June 4.

The flight marked several major milestones in ballooning history.

Padelt, Cuneo and Hempleman-Adams became the first balloonists ever to complete a transoceanic flight in a gas balloon using hydrogen as the sole onboard source of lift. The flight also made Hempleman-Adams the first woman to complete a transoceanic crossing in a straight gas balloon and only the second woman to cross the Atlantic in any type of manned balloon.

According to Vesely, the team traveled an unofficial distance of 2,852 miles over 70 hours and 11 minutes. The flight is also expected to set at least one world record for a gas balloon of its class, pending official ratification.

The balloon first reached Europe on June 6 when it crossed into France near Siouville-Hague on the Cherbourg Peninsula. After briefly passing back over open water along the Normandy coast, the balloon made a second landfall near Le Havre. The crossing into France occurred on June 6, the 82nd anniversary of D-Day.

As the balloon approached Europe, the crew faced some of the most challenging conditions of the trip. Vesely reported the pilots encountered heavy rain, snow and extremely cold temperatures while flying at altitudes exceeding 20,000 feet. At times, the balloon traveled faster than 90 miles per hour while crossing the Atlantic.

The project was years in the making.

Padelt, a master balloon builder who owns a balloon manufacturing and repair business in Pennsylvania with his wife Joanie, first dreamed of making a transatlantic flight after watching the historic Double Eagle II crossing in 1978. That flight also began in the United States and landed in France.

Presque Isle played a critical role in making the project possible. The team spent four years preparing for the mission while operating from property owned by Paul Cyr. Throughout the flight, organizers repeatedly thanked the people of Presque Isle for their support and hospitality.

“Project leader Bert Padelt extends his thanks to all those who participated in the success of the flight – the people of Presque Isle, ME who hosted the launch, especially landowner Paul Cyr, who extended his hospitality to the team over the four years of the project,” Vesely said.

The mission was supported by an international network of meteorologists, air traffic specialists, balloonists and ground crews across North America and Europe. Balloon chasers and recovery teams helped guide the final stages of the flight and retrieve the balloon after landing.

Vesely said the pilots were tired but in good spirits after reaching their destination.

“They are looking forward to showers and getting some sleep in a real bed,” she said.

The successful crossing adds a new chapter to transatlantic ballooning history and gives Presque Isle another connection to one of aviation’s most challenging achievements. The city was also the launch site for the Double Eagle II, the first successful transatlantic balloon crossing, in 1978.

Atlantic Explorer Completes Historic Transatlantic Flight After Launching from Presque Isle

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