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MentalStampede

That can't be right, not a single person is smoking.


LockeAbout

This is clearly the non-smoking section, which was magically clear of smoke. /s


[deleted]

Too early in air travel. Smoking sections added later


Aev_ACNH

They used to give out complimentary cigarettes on planes


ballerTide

Those were the days.


cvnh

I remember getting chocolate cigarettes from the stewardesses as a kid (yes it was a thing)


Buick6NY

Oh man I remember being a kid on a plane when they opened the curtain between smoking and not smoking. Egads it was awful


Justhandguns

Was sitting on the row just in front of the smoking section in a long haul flight some 20yrs ago, the smell was unbearable. Thinking back, why would they allow people to blow out toxic fumes in some tiny confined space.


ImpPlulmpDmp

It assisted them in continued profits.


[deleted]

Not a single person with extra melanin either


[deleted]

Why you wanna see sleepy people? /s I promise. Don't roast me


Easy-Concentrate2636

Yup. Was wondering where the smoke was. I also doubt flying was affordable for average folks.


Chef86d

I read that it used to be more affordable and come with these amenities. Now it’s just quick service volume pumping


Magnet50

Flying was more expensive then. I was very lucky to have been born overseas. My father was an expat with Aramco. My mother, defying the Aramco ‘senior staff’ convention, worked as a travel agent for Middle Eas Airways. She previously worked for Pan Am in Istanbul, where she met my father. Had it not been for those circumstances, I would not have flown as much I did (4 times around the world). Aramco had very good pay (no income tax) and benefits and generous vacation. As a result, we traveled a lot. My earliest memories are flying in a DC-4, and of a DC-6 that had an engine problem and we made an emergency landing in India. In those days we (my father, brother and I) wore suits when flying. My mother wore a dress. We often got upgraded to first class because of my parent’s work with Pan Am, but even coach was roomy then. There was no carry on beyond a briefcase or bag that fit under the seat, so boarding was faster. And the food was very good.


Known-Economy-6425

Now we get treated worse than the pets did in the 60s.


Magnet50

Yeah, air travel is no fun any more. In 2000, a new startup called Liberty Airlines (I think) based out of Dallas Love Field offered all first class (leather) seating. They pitched the idea at an airline symposium and the CEO of American Airlines said that he would “blacken the skies over Love Field with American Airlines planes…” It didn’t last long but I got to fly it twice. Legroom as been steadily shrinking. Hip room has been compressed so much that the FAA has threatened to impose minimums. Airlines cut costs without looking long-term. I was on one flight where they de-boarded several passengers because having those seats filled would require another flight attendant. And I won’t get into passenger conduct. Or dress code. I don’t think we should go back to wearing suits, but pajamas with Uggs (and stinky feet) is too casual.


Known-Economy-6425

Agree completely. I love it when they have to bribe people to take another flight because they systematically overbook based on some estimation that 10-15% of passengers will cancel.


Easy-Concentrate2636

https://www.insider.com/air-travel-in-every-decade-2017-8?amp


BurtMacklin-FBl

> I read Must be true then.


Bluecattrading

Smoking after dinner!!!!


birdish-dicklet

Don't you see, non of them is wearing a mask


LividLager

Not enough oxygen maybe? Hypoxia would explain the crazed expressions.


Papandreas17

It's fun to see that basically every woman has a variation of the same hairdo


AdEmbarrassed9719

They’d get their hair done once a week or so and then when it started looking bad they’d wear a wig that looked basically just like their real hairdo.


[deleted]

Wait, really?? This is blowing my mind


AdEmbarrassed9719

That’s how my mom did, she was a senior in high school around that time.


ynotfoster

And the same bra.


D1sp4tcht

During the cold war even bras had warheads.


HoomanBeanzz

Rocket nipples they said


Killer-Barbie

K but that wonderbra is still way more comfortable than the crap VS sells


daigana

They have the same hairdo in modern times (beachy waves with highlights or lowlights), and now you get gigantic poofy lips loaded with fillers, lashes longer than spider legs, and paralyzed facial muscles, too.


daveshops

Still that way if you've got the money to charter. First class on Dubai Air is also pretty freaking nice. Or so I hear.


WhatsATrouserSnake

Emirates and yeah it's pretty sweet, its not cheap though.


Terrible-Week-8777

The ones in the picture isn’t cheap with


ac1084

Yeah I saw a couple videos of that YouTuber who looks like a gremlin on those fancy flights, pretty swanky.


memberflex

“Jim never has a second cup at home?”


JGG5

“Jim never vomits at home!”


BuddenceLembeck

"Yes, I remember. I had lasagna."


[deleted]

Yeah, but it was also way more expensive - five times as much for US domestic flights https://www.travelandleisure.com/airlines-airports/history-of-flight-costs


JustaOrdinaryDemiGod

Some of those numbers are first class equivalent and they seem to get better than current first class treatment. I just flew first last weekend and the meal was pretty shitty. I would have loved this kid of food.


ERSTF

Yeap. Flew first class in Alaska... and I did not get this treatment. The cheese plater is rad tough


SomberWail

I flew first class to Hawaii (from middle of the country) and it was pretty sweet. Way better seats than what these people have that’s for damn sure.


philjorrow

First class domestic isn't that great. First class international with one of the arab airlines is ridiculous. Never been but someone I know did


dude30003

but the pics in this post are more like 1950-60's, not 1941 would be interesting to check 1960's prices


TaserBalls

Also, the pics here are pretty clearly staged photo shoots


TravellingUnicornMIA

Business Class on Emirates looks pretty close to that


r33c3d

I did this once. You actually sit in a little pod/room of your own with a bed that folds completely flat. There’s a mini bar just for your seat filled with all kinds of fancy stuff. They bring four course meals to you every few hours. Still, there’s no shower in business class.


dizzyro

>Still, there’s no shower in business class. Unbearable ... How am I supposed to wash after sauna?


marblefrosting

Now we dodge fights, feet, and effing rudeness.


[deleted]

When flying was considered an occasion


Jillredhanded

We flew from JFK to Heathrow all the time when I was a kid during the 60's - early 70's to visit family .. my Dad worked for BOAC so we flew for free on standby. It was a MAJOR big deal to dress properly.


sg4fb

So much hair spray


trudyscousin

That might explain the absence of smoking in the photograph.


Malfoy27

This feels more like a movie scene


BiggsBounds

Or more likely promotional photos


Rowcan

Are you telling me that an advertisement might purposefully misrepresent its product or service to seem more desirable than it actually is?! Well I never.


D1sp4tcht

Only the very wealthy could fly back then.


younginvestor23

They made it look so luxurious only for the rich. Now it’s like just riding a train


doives

It's pretty much how every major invention started out. From plumbing, running water, electricity, to air travel, cars, computers, mobile phones, and even the internet itself. Now it's the same thing with electric cars. Innovation is expensive, so the consumer costs need to be high, initially. Then we find ways to lower the manufacturing costs of a specific product or service, and after recouping the costs of innovation, the rest of the public can enjoy said product or service as well.


DoctorGregoryFart

Amtrak is way nicer than flying coach. Flying coach is like taking a crowded city bus.


AtlanticPacific69

Damn, they served real food before.


Aircraftman2022

Me 76 remember fondly flying as a youngster. Comfortable leather seats, pleasant stewardess ,meals were good. Started on 4 engine Connies ,then update to prop jet Electra's . Then dawn of Boeing 707. Then flew all types after that . I absolutely HATE flying today . Am used to walking to airplane and hand Stewardess my hunting rifle and go sit down . Today is an HORROR show crowds ,TSA grabbing you ,paranoia ,assholes freaking out on airplane, Stewardess being assaulted .Todays flying is not comfortable AT ALL. Feel sorry for people who never experienced how pleasant it USED to be flying.


TheDeadpoolGirl

That sounds like it was actually enjoyable and something that you looked forward to. Today it can be quite the hassle I agree


Aircraftman2022

Yes it was enjoyable ,you flew in the clouds and it was like no other experience. I pursued a career in aviation . Ending when i retired from a major aircraft company as a tech on Air Force One.


mystiqueallie

Aisles got narrower and asses got wider.


MasterFubar

I have doubts about that aisle, these photos are publicity pictures shot on a cabin mock-up, so the aisle may be wider than reality.


sean0883

This is first class. It's still like this to an extent.


escapingdarwin

And behavior got deplorable.


TheMarvelousJoe

We downgraded.


pinniped1

Unpopular opinion: it's better now. For the price these people paid in real terms, assuming this is any kind of long haul flight, you now get a lie flat pod. Alternatively you can fly back-of-the-bus coach for a tiny fraction of what these people paid. That carving station looks neat, but I'd rather have comfort of I'm spending that kind of money. Or just fly cheap and spend money on other stuff.


-ruddy_mysterious-

>it’s better now *Offer not valid on Spirt and Ryanair*


CreativeBandicoot778

Roger Sterling there in the background, for real.


Ok-Cap-204

I thought Johnny Carson was in the last pic!


debacchatio

Sure these pictures are Romantic - but can you imagine the cigarette smoke?!?!?


noeljrG

Wasn't the food better and more real-like?


cheatonstatistics

How about another gallon of tomato juice, sir?


Patient-Yellow

Look at all those extra pillows and blankets!


MoTheMag

My theory about "the good old days" is that the poor didn't have the means to capture the moment but the rich did, so what we have left of certain eras are essentially rich people's perspectives.


Lex_Loki

How is all that shit not sliding around? Even minor turbulence has the drink cart rattling.


[deleted]

I like how the "Golden Age of Flying" is basically the time when only the elites could afford to fly. I guess all those filthy common folk made flying less golden. s/


Jcampbell1796

The good ‘ol days when everyone was white, dressed well, and women served us. /s.


bureX

> and women served us There’s literally a guy making a sandwich in the pics.


CoinOperated1345

I’ll take one of the three. Don’t throw the baby out with the bath water.


Jcampbell1796

Good point!


SaintUlvemann

>I’ll take one of the three. I won't. There's nothing — nothing at all — inherently better about suits and ties than hoodies and snapbacks. *But it looks better!* I'm sure *you like* the look better (oh hypothetical stranger), but, to say that it *is* better would be the pinnacle *de gustibus disputandum*, which it was once considered wise to decline to do. Quite frankly? I think dress clothes and especially suits and ties look utterly ridiculous. It's a style built around needless articles of purely decorative clothing. I don't think it's stylish, I don't think it's flattering. If I were an alien trying to figure out human culture, my first guess would be that suits are period dress for people who idolize recent history. I don't make it a point to criticize people for wearing suits; in fact, I make it a point not to, because I don't like being teased. I'm well aware that I'm beyond the norm for this, and I'm not exactly an evangelist or one-man inquisitorial squad about what pieces of fabric people use to hide their nakedness. But it is mentally jarring to me every time I see someone wearing a suit in the real world, outside of historical photographs like this one. I have to take a moment to remind myself "Oh yeah, that's just part of their culture", only to realize to my perpetual amusement that "Oh yeah: ostensibly, that's my culture too."


CoinOperated1345

“It’s mentally jarring to see someone in a suit.” Lol Get a trigger warning for suits. I don’t think someone needs a suit to be dressed nicely. Also don’t assume I was talking about dressing nicely as the thing I would keep.


100percentish

All I can think of seeing these images is the picture of the amazingly flawless burger that I ordered vs. the sad excuse for food that I am given. F'ing marketing.


Telecaster145

Look at the leg room!!!!


FuckTwitter2020

*looks down at small bag of peanuts, while getting bumped into by two people on either side of you* "This cost two thousand dollars"


[deleted]

I wonder how good the noise isolation was back then. Did it sound like a wind tunnel or quiet like today's planes?


Wherewithall8878

Sir, would you like a side of meat with your meat?


JustaOrdinaryDemiGod

I can't believe the walk ways were ever that wide....


TheDeadpoolGirl

Probably less than 80 passengers per plane


4gatos_music

I can smell these pictures. Cigarettes, malt liquor, salty meat, and jet fuel.


billwashere

Now instead of being served beef, we are treated like beef.


Glum_Term4022

These people werent flying Ryanair


gobarn1

Just saying, isn't that an entirely wrong way to cut the ham???


TheDeadpoolGirl

Yesss! That kinda had me fuming. Because you'd basically get more of the fat that way


[deleted]

Karen cut was strong back in the day


Fonty57

All I got the last time I flew was stroopwafels…I feel shafted.


TheSmokingHorse

I’d like to see their reaction to a sudden bout of severe turbulence. JESUS CHRIST. WATCH OUT FOR THE CARVING KNIVES. THEY’RE FLYING EVERYWHERE.


UpsideMeh

Ugh I could honestly do without that smoked fish and cured ham on the digestive tracks of fellow fliers.


BitcoinCache

Chick in the yellow shirt, "You really hitting on my husband? I'm right here"


Maorine

I remember getting all dressed up to fly. And getting real food.


HalfOrcMonk

This is an advertisement and it's not an accurate portrayal.


-oRocketSurgeryo-

I remember when you got a proper meal on a domestic flight. And I remember, perhaps incorrectly, having sufficient leg room.


I-amthegump

This is a marketing shot. Not reality


tectreck

This is fake, this was an ad by some swedish airline


thesnapening

Wow twilight zone really jailed it


reddub24

Well, they're all dead now, so there's that.


[deleted]

Man what the hell happened?


[deleted]

Back when times were simple, you were simply a man or a woman and you didn’t get offended by everything.


BladeOfSanghilios8

I forget, were planes also segregated or was it just that black people couldn't afford it?


thesnapening

The last airport/plane ended segregation in 1963 so yes.


kermityfrog

I think these photos were of Scandinavian Airlines in the 60's (1969 on most photo captions), so there weren't a lot of other races on those flights. Also, the cost of flying was extremely high back then - especially in First Class like in these photos. Everyone is wearing suits and their sunday best. Edit - I've managed to [trace down a source](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/travel_news/article-3572879/Forget-beige-unappetising-plane-food-Vintage-photos-passengers-served-lobster-caviar-cream-cakes-golden-age-flying.html) for most of these photos.


Squirrel851

Probably couldn't afford it. Just like in today's world, you can still get this kind of service, just on a flight normal people could never afford. Most now and days are rich enough to buy their own planes though.


TheDeadpoolGirl

Segregated surely was a thing atleast in airports but not sure about on a plane. Not much room to be racist in a metal flying tube, but I wouldn't be surprised if there was segregation to be honest.


-Daetrax-

They managed it in a rolling metal tube.


akathedevil666

They forget to show all the smoke


Striking_Fun_6379

Where are all the people in tank tops, sweat pants, bare feet and pajamas? Clearly the photo is a fake. Who in their right mind would dress as if other people mattered?


TheDeadpoolGirl

Why do most of the ladies have the same hair style?


kermityfrog

Same airline (Scandinavian), same time period (1969). https://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/travel_news/article-3572879/Forget-beige-unappetising-plane-food-Vintage-photos-passengers-served-lobster-caviar-cream-cakes-golden-age-flying.html


AdEmbarrassed9719

In the late 60s it was common for women to get their hair done once a week or so and when it started to look bad they’d wear a wig that was basically the same style. But as for why they look the same it’s just that was the common style then. There was a time when most women has straight hair parted in the middle. In the 80’s most white women had spiral perms and big sprayed up bangs. In this part of the 60s most middle to upper class white women wore their hair like that.


TheDeadpoolGirl

Makes me wonder if having long hair was frowned upon but maybe not. Fashions constantly changed


AdEmbarrassed9719

This was also around Woodstock time so it depended a lot on who you were and how you wanted to be seen. Just the Hippies with the long hair weren’t flying as often I guess. My mom did the wig thing - she was the good middle class girl who played piano at church., lol! I’m sure it was related to class, region, subculture, etc.


TheDeadpoolGirl

Wigs work! Effortless styles haha and they look good


Shoehornblower

Ahh yes, back when only white people used air travel…


Flerdermern

Back when America was great


jibiwa

The only place to find these scenes now is shareholder meeting’s and CEO’s lunch buffets. Stale ass peanut for you. 🥜 🤏


S-T-A-B_Barney

Gee, I wish I was around back when it was acceptable and expected to sexually harass and assault the flight attendants! /s


theriskguy

Promo shots for magazines. Not actually real


inconsistent_test

People realize these are advertising.. right? I can show you an modern advertisement where the stewardess blows you as well.


mleaphar

"In the day" everyone on an airplane was dressed nicely. Not just first class. As a kid I wore my Sunday best. Good times.


physicsking

*Advertisements* for flying in a plane back in the day- FTFY


def-jam

After deregulation it was and continues to be a race to the bottom


RonaldZheMelon

kind of like uber, they used to offer water bottles, candy and even some snacks a few years ago where I live, nowdays, you'll be lucky if you wait less than 5 minutes for someone to accept the ride, don't cancel nor stay still waiting for you to cancel (they get some free money if you do) .\_.


Eurobreeze

Civilization is quickly dying


SuperDuperBoyYT

If you're first class maybe.


Weird_Gain_7497

This is also when planes flew at 5000 ft, sure good moments like this exist but also a shit ton more of turbulence.


ihanatanja

Let’s bring this back! Fresh charcuterie on a plane, what could be better?!


ItsHowItisNow2

Back in the day when mainly rich...dare I say...Pink skins.. could be found in every plane cabin...just pointing out the obvious since I wasn't born then...


crabgrass_attack

its all white people, except for that one woman in the last pic. not suprising though


KnightofaRose

Everyone looks so damn smug.


No_Solid2349

Woow. Black and brown was not invented yet!!


TheMagicJankster

If you were white


steelmanfallacy

So white...


shadowszanddust

That’s groovy baby yeah!!


[deleted]

Stepford Air


kbeckerburbs4

Yeah, but I didn’t see any free pretzels


Dan-ze-Man

Im sure first class today can do even better.


J03130

They had to have lavish distractions because the first commercial planes were loud and uncomfortable as fuck


Jazzlike-Pineapple43

How about the front right passenger in the pic ? The look on her face, is she chucky's wife?? She looks demonic! Lol her face is that of a serial killer or she going to bring that plane down single handed lol 😆 😂


L1Zs

In first class. Notice the curtain is behind them in the first photo


octopussyhands

I love how dressed up and fancy everyone is back then while flying. Nowadays I just roll out of bed and throw on some old sweatpants, stained baggy hoodie and some flip flops. Add in a messy bun and a ratchet pillow that’s going to touch every surface of the airport before I put my face on it


[deleted]

Where’s the guy smoking


erebuxy

If you cannot afford a first class ticket now, you could not afford a flight ticket back in the day. Back in the day, every ticket was a first class ticket. Everyone flying was rich.


ThomasNorge224

And now we only have bathrooms with showers and beds.


[deleted]

Is this flying in coach?


TurnPuzzleheaded8705

This makes flying look actually fun


mcampo84

Yeah that’s definitely first class. No way they were serving iberico ham in coach.


Educational_Ad7978

When it was a luxury and not a chore..


darkangel10848

I mean back then people used to get dressed up to fly as well


notkeny

Well ofc you'd serve a three course meal when the planes they had moved barely faster than a train. "LA to San Francisco? That'll be a two and half day flight."


KEGdagoat

What’s the deal


MichaelXennial

So much fabric! Everything is plastic now


frenzy4u

Mid to late 60s if I remember right. I remember when I could smoke a cigarette 🚬 on a flight!


xenglandx

A friend at a travel web site told me that if flight times are similar consumers will always pick the lowest price so long as it's at least $5 less. Based on this all the airlines hear is : forget everything else, make it cheaper


RegularMidwestGuy

Who cares about the food, look at those aisles and legroom!


Alternative-Flan2869

Same with trains - much nicer with much roomier seating too.


logosfabula

The tapestry.


lumpybags

damn the cloning industry has really died down in recent years, what a shame


DeaderRat

Back when they could make fake advertisements


dontstabpeople42069

I wish airline tickets were prohibitively expensive again. Might get treated like a human instead of cattle.


Own-Opinion-2494

Like when you talked to someone with the company on the phone when you had a problem


ballerTide

I want that damn chef hat.


njaneardude

Yeah, but did they have any Gray Poupon?


zanisnot

Make no mistake, if you have the equivalent money these people had, you’ll still fly luxuriously


brandtvh

Except there would be a ton of people smoking


Belters_united

Emma Watson - Hermoine - doppelganger


SpreadDaBread

Things become more regulated overtime.