What it was REALLY Like During The GOLDEN AGE Of FLYING

Good afternoon, passengers, this is your pilot speaking. We’re about to revisit the Golden Age of Flying, a whole other world for those who could nab a ticket. Air travel has a long and wondrous history, from the early prototypes to those revolutionary years of connecting the world. But that really special era, generally the middle of the 1900s, was like something out of a dream. A dangerous and sometimes unhygienic dream mind you, but with glamor, grandeur, and - most importantly -alotta leg room!

I’m your host, Nostalgic Nick here to revisit this unique time for air travel. Keep watching to find out every outlandish requirement for a 50s Flight Attendant, and what your dinner options are for tonight's flight. As you move your seats to an upright position, be sure to hit that thumbs up icon, and subscribe to the channel so you never miss one of our trips.. Alright, it’s time for liftoff.

The site that takes you back!

What It Was Like During The Golden Age Of Flying

[wesbittick]

I remember back in the early seventies when I was in the Navy I would fly Western Airlines out of San Francisco or San Diego . I always wore my uniform and flew on what they called “ space available “ . I always got on at a cheaper rate, some times they would put me in first class . Also they served a meal and every flight served complimentary champagne . Those definitely were the good old days .

[EvaGehlert_SmallMediumAtLarge]

Are you listening, Spirit Airlines!!!!???? 🤣🤣 Nailed it!!!! So true!!!!

[stevedow]

New York to Chicago
1971: Lunch in Economy was stuffed chicken breast, rice pilaf, peas with pearl onions, salad, roll, and dessert.
2022: Dinner in FIRST CLASS was a cheeseburger!!!

[bgueberdenteich]

Passengers in those days were polite and well dressed and with good manners .The pilots were outstanding, most of them had flown troops to Vietnam under dangerous conditions . I had an emergency landing in Alaska, on an airstrip that was too short for the Boing 707, the captain of Pan Am saved many lives that day .I literally was unable to sleep for several days . Those were the realized with sadness, that these magnificent pilots ate all gone now and I will be gone very soon too ! I appreciate my one year as a stewardess with Pan Am, It taught me a lot about people, good and bad . The crew was always very interesting, many had other professions, but chose flying to see the world, which you could do with Pan Am . TWA in those days, only had domestic flights . Bon voyage !

[jst]

First flight. Eastern 1971 Kennedy NYC to New Orleans. 16 years old. Wonderful experience.

[toniacassetta]

Sure miss the good old days of flying!

[joshuaclaassen]

Trans-World Airlines (TWA) in 1977. From southwest Missouri to Anaheim, California to visit my great-grandparents. They lived within walking distance of Disneyland, so it was a double treat. Back then, TWA used to give out blankets to snuggle up in during overnight flights (which seemed huge to me and my twin brother at three years old) and packs of playing cards as souvenirs when you got off the plane.

[blakepace]

Sadly, I do remember, first hand observations. It's sad because I miss some of the items you mention...

[billg]

Actual silverware, good food, leg room. Nowadays you get a pack of peanuts and a plane full of Karens who think they are entitled to anything they want. I’d rathe drive 12 hours to get somewhere than fly 1 today

[nancycowell-miller]

Loved this (More please)!

Yes, I *do* remember the Golden Age of Travel. Okay, not ALL the way back, but in the 60's thru early 80's, our family took full advantage of my dad's seniority at UAL. (Even hopping a flight to Boston one night, because dad came home with a hankering for baked beans. True Story!)

I never even realized that there were people crammed-in, in the back of the plane. Although I suspect "crammed-in" was probably equivalent to today's domestic Business Class. In any case, we only ever flew First Class - and we always wore our "Sunday Best"

I distinctly remember flying the Brand New 747 from SFO to Hawaii (many times). The stewardesses (yes, they were "stewardesses") wore Hawaiian muumuus. Food was from Trader Vic's (I still have my plastic Menehune swizzle stick), and there was the most AMAZING lounge upstairs in the "hump."

I feel privileged to have had the opportunity to experience it ❤

Thanks for the memories!

[DaveSchuster]

In the early 80s my family would routinely fly from Tampa to Miami on now defunct airline, Air Florida. I do remember when they’d allow kids to see inside the cockpit something they don’t do anymore.

[brianwinters]

I started flying in 1967 and it was a different world for sure

[nothingspecific.]

Last time I was on a plane was in 1988. And it was so fun and interesting! You couldn't pay ME, now to fly in this hot mess of a world!!

[randyronny]

When I flew back in the 1980's, ticket folders had instructions on what passengers were to wear. There were no sweats and t-shirts, instead it was business wear.

[maureenbennett]

I remember....I was 8, and I flew from Allentown, Pa to O'Hara in Chicago with my siblings, all older. OR Chicago to Allentown. Nothing major. The first time I flew by myself, I was 12 and I missed my connecting flight in Pittsburgh, my ears wouldn't "pop" from the small plane I was on, so I tried not to cry, called home, and bought and read "The Color Purple" waiting for another flight.

[GarlandCoulson]

So glad there is no smoking on flights now. I remember there used to be smoking and nonsmoking sections, but it didn't help

[stuartlee]

Eastern Airlines Flight 633.
Super C Constellation
EWR to MIA
December 1959.

[ghw]

In1961, I flew from Honolulu to California on a TWA Constellation and the flight took about 9 hours as I recall.

[jayteadesigns]

Thanks for this video! I was a flight attendant for Western Airlines back in the 70s! Those were the best of times! 😁

[too-da-loo]

I flew at lot in the 70's. Aircraft were rarely full and you could sleep across the 4 seats in the middle. It was all so much nicer and friendlier.. then the awful, rude, inconsiderate people started to fly, airports were a mess, airlines allowing 17 bags each to be brought on board, barely any arm or leg room.. so then we started flying business class and above.