1950-

Swedish balloonist who completed a balloon flight across the Atlantic and set balloon altitude and distance records. Lindstrand served for a short time as an engineering officer in the Swedish Air Force, at which time he began ballooning as a hobby. After making his first solo flight in a homemade balloon, he decided to set up his own balloon manufacturing business. Lindstrand is best known for his Atlantic crossing, which he completed with Richard Branson, owner of Virgin Atlantic Airlines and Records. Lindstrand also set the world altitude record, taking his Stratoquest balloon to 65,000 feet (19,800 m) over Laredo, Texas, 10,000 feet (3,000 m) higher than the previous record. In January 1991 Lindstrand and Branson completed the longest balloon flight—6761 miles (11,000 km) from Japan to Northern Canada.