The origins of turbulent flow and the transition from laminar to turbulent flow are the most important unsolved problems of fluid mechanics and aerodynamics. - sides being a fundamental question of fluid mechanics, there are numerous app- cations relying on information regarding transition location and the details of the subsequent turbulent flow. For example, the control of transition to turbulence is - pecially important in (1) skin-friction reduction of energy efficient aircraft, (2) the performance of heat exchangers and diffusers, (3) propulsion requirements for - personic aircraft, and (4) separation control. While considerable progress has been made in the science of laminar to turbulent transition over the last 30 years, the c- tinuing increase in computer power as well as new theoretical developments are now revolutionizing the area. It is now starting to be possible to move from simple 1D eigenvalue problems in canonical flows to global modes in complex flows, all - companied by accurate large-scale direct numerical simulations (DNS). Here, novel experimental techniques such as modern particle image velocimetry (PIV) also have an important role. Theoretically the influence of non-normality on the stability and transition is gaining importance, in particular for complex flows. At the same time the enigma of transition in the oldest flow investigated, Reynolds pipe flow tran- tion experiment, is regaining attention. Ideas from dynamical systems together with DNS and experiments are here giving us new insights.