The Double Eagle II was a historic hot air balloon that achieved the first successful crossing of the Atlantic Ocean by balloon in 1978. The balloon was named after the Double Eagle symbol, representing both the United States and France, the two nations involved in the project.

The Double Eagle II was piloted by three Americans: Ben Abruzzo, Maxie Anderson, and Larry Newman. On August 11, 1978, the balloon lifted off from Presque Isle, Maine, USA, embarking on a daring journey across the Atlantic. It took them nearly six days to complete the historic flight.

The balloon traveled a distance of approximately 3,000 miles and successfully touched down in a barley field near Miserey, France, on August 17, 1978. The crew had endured numerous challenges and navigational difficulties during the flight, including battling storms, managing fuel consumption, and coordinating their position with air traffic control.

The successful crossing of the Atlantic by the Double Eagle II captured worldwide attention and cemented its place in aviation history. It demonstrated the capabilities of hot air balloons for long-distance travel and pushed the boundaries of what was thought possible in aerial exploration. The achievement of the Double Eagle II paved the way for future balloonists to undertake ambitious journeys across continents and oceans, opening up new horizons in the field of ballooning.