What was the first aircraft carrier to feature an angled flight deck?

The first aircraft carrier to feature an angled flight deck was the USS Antietam. This design innovation significantly improved the safety and efficiency of launching and recovering aircraft at sea. The angled flight deck allows aircraft to take off and land while providing better maneuverability and reducing the potential for collisions during these critical operations.

Previously, aircraft carriers had straight flight decks, which limited the ability to launch and recover multiple aircraft simultaneously and posed risks during landings, as planes would have to approach from a direct line. The deployment of the angled flight deck on the USS Antietam marked a pivotal advancement in carrier design, influencing future aircraft carriers and enhancing naval aviation capabilities. This design has since become a standard feature on modern aircraft carriers, providing a foundational improvement in naval operations.