"Normandie"'s maiden voyage was on 29 May 1935. Fifty thousand saw her off at Le Havre on what was hoped would be a record-breaking crossing. She reached New York City after four days, three hours and two minutes, taking away the Blue Riband from the Italian liner . This brought great pride for the French, who had not won the distinction before. Under the command of Captain René Pugnet, "Normandie"s average on the maiden voyage was around and on the eastbound crossing to France, she averaged over , breaking records in both directions.