Let’s take a trip back in time to the golden age of flying, from the 1950s to the 1970s. It was a time when flying was all about luxury and style. Imagine stepping onto a plane where everything was classy and fancy, from the seats to the uniforms. This was a special time in aviation history, where every flight felt like a grand adventure.
A Luxurious Ride in the Sky: The Golden Age of Flying
The golden age of flying was a real treat. Graham M. Simons, an aviation historian, recalls, “Air travel at that time was something special. It was luxurious. It was smooth. And it was fast.” The seats had lots of space, and the crew looked like they stepped out of a fashion magazine. According to Simons, “People dressed up because of it.”
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Your Ticket Cost a Lot
When it comes to booking a flight today, travelers are spoiled for choice, with numerous options available to find the best price for their journey. However, during the Golden Age of air travel, choices were far more limited—and significantly more expensive. Take, for example, a round-trip ticket from Chicago to Phoenix, which according to a TWA brochure from 1955, cost $138. At first glance, this might seem like a reasonable deal. But when adjusted for inflation, this not-even-cross-country trip would set you back about $1,200 in today’s money.
Aviation history expert Guillaume de Syon sheds light on the staggering cost differentials of the Golden Age. He notes, “[Depending] on the route, it was four to five times as expensive to fly in the Golden Age.” International travel, in particular, was prohibitively expensive, making it accessible only to the wealthiest individuals.
A Feast for the Senses: Fancy Food and Great Service
Airlines went all out to impress passengers with delicious food and top-notch service in the golden age of flying. Simons adds, “The airlines were marketing their flights as luxurious means of transport.” They served fancy meals with stuff like caviar and foie gras. Some even had fashion shows on board! Suzy Smith, a former flight attendant, recalls, “We started with canapés, then we came out with a cart with appetizers, which included beluga caviar and foie gras.”
Relaxed Rules and Fun Memories
Flying was a lot more laid-back back then. Keith Lovegrove, who loves talking about old-fashioned flying, remembers how easygoing it all was. “It was like going to a cocktail party. We had a shirt and tie and a jacket, which sounds ridiculous now, but was expected then,” Lovegrove says. You could bring all sorts of things on board, like pet birds in shoeboxes! Security was way less strict, so people could enjoy themselves more. Lovegrove adds, “There was an incredible sense of freedom.“
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Pan Am: The King of Cool
One airline that really stood out was Pan Am. Joan Policastro, who worked for them, says it was like flying with the stars. “My job with Pan Am was an adventure from the very day I started,” recalls Policastro. They served fancy food and had cool lounges where passengers could hang out. It was the ultimate in luxury travel.
Your Flight Attendant Had to Meet a Lot of Intrusive Requirements
During the Golden Age of air travel, flight attendants were not only expected to provide impeccable service but also adhere to strict appearance and behavioral standards. From the early 1950s, air hostesses, as they were known, donned attire that included high heels, white gloves, and even corsets beneath their suits.
Airlines maintained specific requirements regarding their appearance, dictating factors such as hair length and weight limits. Female flight attendants were also expected to be single, sociable, and uphold “high moral standards.” By the 1960s, attire became even more revealing, with shorter skirts catering to the predominantly male clientele. These intrusive requirements reflect the significant emphasis placed on flight attendant presentation during this era.
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Looking Back with Fondness
Even though times have changed, people still look back on the old days of flying with a smile. Groups like World Wings made up of former Pan Am employees, keep the memories alive. “Pan Am was a big cut above the rest,” says Suzy Smith. Those were the days when flying was a real adventure, and people felt like royalty in the sky.
Conclusion
The golden age of flying may be over, but the memories live on. It was a time when flying was all about luxury and fun. Even though things are different now, we can still look back and remember the magic of those good old days.