After World War II, commercial air travel exploded as a luxurious and exciting new way to fly – but it wasn’t cheap.
Stewardesses and pilots pose for a photo before boarding.
In the years after World War II, the United States was flying high, and the so-called Golden Age of air travel is a testament to that. Airline technology became more streamlined, and airliners pampered customers to the point where it did actually seem as if they were king.
Comfort and luxury were of paramount importance (if you could afford it), and there is no better evidence than these photos:
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1 of 18Large couches for air travelers, without seatbelts. 2 of 18 3 of 18A comfortable place to catch a nap on an early airliner. 4 of 18 5 of 18 6 of 18 7 of 18Kids on an airplane in the early days of air travel, 1960s. 8 of 18A waiter takes drink orders in the air. 9 of 18The palatial interior of an early commercial airliner. 10 of 18 11 of 18 12 of 18 13 of 18Some early airliners had bunkbeds for air travelers. 14 of 18 15 of 18 16 of 18 17 of 18Ladies in fur prepare to board. 18 of 18Like this gallery?Share it:
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Vintage Photos From The Golden Age Of Air Travel View Gallery
The planes of yesteryear had palatial interiors and offered gourmet meals and champagne service to their patrons. Today, airline service is more affordable (and certainly safer) for Joe Schmoe, but perhaps at the cost of comfort. What caused the “Golden Age” to turn to rust at the end of the ’70s?
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The Real “Mad Men”: Vintage Photos From New York’s Golden Age Of Advertising
Explore Vintage Disneyland In 55 Magical Photos
29 Vintage Photos Of The Unparalleled Glamour Of Streamliner Trains
1 of 18Large couches for air travelers, without seatbelts. 2 of 18 3 of 18A comfortable place to catch a nap on an early airliner. 4 of 18 5 of 18 6 of 18 7 of 18Kids on an airplane in the early days of air travel, 1960s. 8 of 18A waiter takes drink orders in the air. 9 of 18The palatial interior of an early commercial airliner. 10 of 18 11 of 18 12 of 18 13 of 18Some early airliners had bunkbeds for air travelers. 14 of 18 15 of 18 16 of 18 17 of 18Ladies in fur prepare to board. 18 of 18Like this gallery?Share it:
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Like this gallery?Share it:
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And if you liked this post, be sure to check out these popular posts:
The Real “Mad Men”: Vintage Photos From New York’s Golden Age Of Advertising
Explore Vintage Disneyland In 55 Magical Photos
29 Vintage Photos Of The Unparalleled Glamour Of Streamliner Trains
1 of 18Large couches for air travelers, without seatbelts. 2 of 18 3 of 18A comfortable place to catch a nap on an early airliner. 4 of 18 5 of 18 6 of 18 7 of 18Kids on an airplane in the early days of air travel, 1960s. 8 of 18A waiter takes drink orders in the air. 9 of 18The palatial interior of an early commercial airliner. 10 of 18 11 of 18 12 of 18 13 of 18Some early airliners had bunkbeds for air travelers. 14 of 18 15 of 18 16 of 18 17 of 18Ladies in fur prepare to board. 18 of 18Like this gallery?Share it:
Share
Like this gallery?Share it:
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And if you liked this post, be sure to check out these popular posts:
The Real “Mad Men”: Vintage Photos From New York’s Golden Age Of Advertising
Explore Vintage Disneyland In 55 Magical Photos
29 Vintage Photos Of The Unparalleled Glamour Of Streamliner Trains
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1 of 18Large couches for air travelers, without seatbelts. 2 of 18 3 of 18A comfortable place to catch a nap on an early airliner. 4 of 18 5 of 18 6 of 18 7 of 18Kids on an airplane in the early days of air travel, 1960s. 8 of 18A waiter takes drink orders in the air. 9 of 18The palatial interior of an early commercial airliner. 10 of 18 11 of 18 12 of 18 13 of 18Some early airliners had bunkbeds for air travelers. 14 of 18 15 of 18 16 of 18 17 of 18Ladies in fur prepare to board. 18 of 18Like this gallery?Share it:
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1 of 18Large couches for air travelers, without seatbelts.
2 of 18
3 of 18A comfortable place to catch a nap on an early airliner.
4 of 18
5 of 18
6 of 18
7 of 18Kids on an airplane in the early days of air travel, 1960s.
8 of 18A waiter takes drink orders in the air.
9 of 18The palatial interior of an early commercial airliner.
10 of 18
11 of 18
12 of 18
13 of 18Some early airliners had bunkbeds for air travelers.
14 of 18
15 of 18
16 of 18
17 of 18Ladies in fur prepare to board.
18 of 18Like this gallery?Share it:
Share
Vintage Photos From The Golden Age Of Air Travel View Gallery
Vintage Photos From The Golden Age Of Air Travel View Gallery
Vintage Photos From The Golden Age Of Air Travel View Gallery
Vintage Photos From The Golden Age Of Air Travel View Gallery
Vintage Photos From The Golden Age Of Air Travel
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According to William Stadiem–who recently released a book on aviation’s glory years–it has to do with deregulation. Said Stadiem, “with airline fares and routes regulated by the government, airlines had to cater to passenger whims to get their patronage, which led to all types of bells and whistles in the service.”
But when President Carter ushered in an era of deregulation, “Everybody was trying to cut each other’s throats by cutting costs. That planted the seeds for the cattle-car experience we have now. Even flying in the ’80s was a hell of a lot better than it is today. It’ll never go back to the way it was.”
But to others, what we lack in service we gain in choice. As self-proclaimed “aviation geek” and airline employee Anthony Toth says:
