Around the World Update: Fossett Returns, and So Does Bly

At 1:50 p.m. CST yesterday afternoon, Steve Fossett landed in Salina, Kansas, to complete the first-ever solo flight around the world without refueling. It took him 67 hours, 2 minutes and 38 seconds to complete the trip. That’s more than five fewer days than it took USA Today writer Laura Bly to travel around the world by commercial aircraft. She landed at 7:15 p.m. EST Monday evening to finish an eight-day trip inspired by the 100th anniversary of “Around the World in 80 Days” author Jules Verne’s death. So how did the adventurers celebrate their accomplishments? Fossett basked in a champagne shower from his patron, Virgin Airlines chief Richard Branson. Bly, who chronicled her entire journey on the USA Today Web site, settled in with her husband for a glass of red wine and a Trader Joe’s barbecue chicken pizza.

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