50 Photos From Air Travel's Glory Years

Um, aren’t the ones standing in front of the football field actually majorettes or colorguard members?

Those were such good times. For those too young to remember… flying used to be so much more than a Greyhound bus in the sky…

I work at the airport and find flight attendants completely attractive. They’re so professional, clean, and beautiful, well most of them.

I imagine that it was gosh darn nice to have been a single pilot in the old days. heh heh.

Those were the days!!!!!!!

Unfortunately, pilots continue to drink in the cockpit and these women are now fat and in their 70′s and still working for USAir today!

The problem today is that many of these flight attendants are still employed and flying with the airlines…

Nice pictures of the days when…
…flight attendants were not onboard for safety because the carriers cared little for safety due to little safety regulation other than pilot licensing. By the way, females were not allowed to become pilots because the government felt that they would be too emotional in a crisis.
…flight attendants were not permitted to marry or become pregnant because carriers wanted them to appear “available”, even to married men.
…there were no seatbelts on the aircraft initially until a male (there were only 2 female members of Congress) member of Congress Clifford P. Case, NJ, was injured in turbulence that a law was introduced to put seatbelts for passengers in seats.
…there was no competition because the government guaranteed a 17% return on all markets, but they also controlled the markets.
…air travel was not available to middle or lower income families unless they saved for years, forcing them to travel by car or caravan to visit relatives or take a family holidays in patently unsafe motor vehicles most without seatbelts because they were made before 1962.
…married men routinely cheated on their marriage one day and went to Church another espousing their high morale virtues
…women and minorities we paid 40-60% less than men
…airlines did not accept minorities in first class
…we ate far less fast food and had healthier diets, but smoked 2 packs of cigarettes a day and died of lung cancer by age 60-65
…it was acceptable to beat your wife black and blue or break her arm as it was her duty to “serve” her man
…homosexuals and minorities we frequently murdered just because they were not white and straight
…most major airlines did not have male flight attendants, some had male pursers, but they were onboard to manage and control the female flight attendants and encourage the questionable behavior that has become legend in the industry.

Before you pine for the old days, keep in mind that if things had stayed status quo…
…most of you would be unemployed
…if you had a job, it would be in the same factory generations of your family worked in
…you would not likely be older than 60-65, due to the heavy drinking and smoking
…your kids would not be attending college unless your family had, had money for generations
…most of you would be high school or lower school drop outs
That is just a few observations.

On the lighter side…
…Did you notice that the “stewardesses” for Southwest and Air Bahama have the same boots? At least the American sweatshop that produced those boots was making some money.

Buh Bye. Have a nice day.

What is w/ the lady in the harloquin suit in the background of the 2nd to last picture?

Pan Am is actually a test photo from 2001:A Space Odyssey

Harshin’ my mellow, Debbie Downer!

Oh come on! The Pan-Am lady with the hair cover is from 2001: A Space Odyssey. She’s the stewardess on the space plane.

I wish there were pictures of passenger back then. It would be nice to see people who were clean and well dressed. People who knew how to behave in public. Recently I had to ask a male passenger in first class to put his leg down. He was a surprisingly limber obese man wearing shorts, a t-shirt and flip flops. He raised his leg all the way up and was chewing on his toe nails. Unfortunately, he was not wearing underwear and his male parts were hanging out of the leg of his shorts.
Yep, some day these will be the good old days.

Seems that this collection of photos is more about stewardesses in short skirts and less about “Air Travel’s Glory Years”. Just title it for what it is.

I’m not so much worried that those flight attendants are now old and still working for the airlines, but that those ANCIENT airplanes are most likely still in service today!

[...] 50 Photos From Air Travel’s Glory Years August 26, 2009 This should really be titled “Photos of Pretty Air Ladies.” For those who have traveled in the last several years, you’ll have noticed that most of the glitz [...]

[...] Vacations.com has a nice pictorial/retrospective of Air Travel’s Glory Years. [...]

Wow…there’s certainly a lot of silly hats on this page!
Love the weird, knee-high, white leather mesh boots….groovy.

Lots of hogwash above by Aaron Bast. These were great times in our history when air travel was in it’s infant stage, men opened doors for ladies, and ladies acted like ladies. Service had a personal touch and we had names, not numbers. Advances in airline safety came with time and experience, as in anything else. (We did not have seat belts nor airbags in out autos until the sixties. Airbags even later, of course.)
One thing that is constant is we have very beautiful ladies working for our airlines today and, thankfully, married ladies with children can work also.
My early flights were in C-47′s (DC-3′s) and today we enjoy the speed and smooth flights in the jets. But there ain’t nuttin like bouncing over the Blue Ridge Mountains in a DC-3. We flew on one engine from the Phillipines to Okinawa on a C-47 after losing an engine and she flew straight and pretty.
Thanks for the memories of both the gorgeous ladies and beautiful airplanes.
Jim Bullington

I’ve never seen pics like this. I’ve only been on a plane once, and I was “patted down” at security thoroughly. It was weird. I thought that was bad but now I wonder if I would’ve had it worse in these olden times. This was way before my generation but it looks so fake, in a barbie-doll way. The focus was on pretty women dressed up in flight costumes? Imagine serving hordes of old men, dressed like that. I bet I would get harassed on a normal day. Yeah, times are better now. I like that I can grow up to be a flight attendant as a -serious- job, and not just a model.

Love, love, love the memories. PanAm was a favorite….but where is Western? It was the Oooonnnnlllyyyyy way to fly!!

[...] 26th, 2009 50 Photos from air travel’s glory years. Via [...]

@Jim Bullington
“Men opened doors for ladies, and ladies acted like ladies. ”

Not to be prissy, but this statement irked me. Ladies acted like ladies? What, by staying at home, cooking and cleaning and doing everything you (as a man) told me to do? By not being able to earn a fair wage by myself? What if I didn’t want to feed the fantasies of men as an air hostess and I wanted to fly the plane instead? I guess being a pilot isn’t very “ladylike.” Oops, let me get back in the kitchen.

Don’t get me wrong, being an air hostess allowed women to work and see the world, which is great. But it’s only because some men wanted something to look at during long flights.

I’d rather open doors for myself and have equal rights, than be treated “like a lady”. I mean, men are welcome to hold doors for me out of common courtesy, just as I will hold a door open for anyone else. But I wouldn’t call that a “great time in history” because “ladies acted like ladies.”

Sorry for the rant, just had to say my piece. I did enjoy looking at these photos though, thanks vacations.com!

“You’re so beautiful… You could be an air hostess in the sixties…”

I’m just old enough to remember the great Pan Am (where the stewardesses spoke multiple languages) and a lot of the others pictured here. It’s great that we’re all “liberated” now but, trust me, flying was a lot more enjoyable and adventurous then. Now you’re just cattle in the pen. The (unregulated) airline industry is just sad, sad, sad…ugh!

One reason tickets are more expensive is for all the additional cloth needed for the uniforms now.

@ Eliza

I really think you took Jim’s comment the wrong way… never did he mention woman oppression or staying at home and doing what men say…

it was more of a “back in the good old days” comment, as in men acted like gentlemen and ladies were ladies, not doing the whole Britney spears shaving your head to get attention and deal as an example… not really lady like imo, relax

just my 2 cents

pics were very cool by the way

Eliza…. he wasnt saying we BELONG in the kitchen, it was an observation on womens behavior in the last 30 years. there was no “girls gone wild” back then. it sounds like he has been alive long enough to see this. (no offense sir)

[...] 50 photos of stewardesses from the good old days of air travel. Link -via Gorilla [...]

[...] Japan Airlines has cute little scarves on their attendants, but for the most part modern stewardesses seem to be lacking a lot of the fun of yesteryear. Check out this collection of 50 Photos From Air Travel’s Glory Years. [...]

I remember going to the airport back in the late 60′s to see my older sister off on a trip. The passengers dressed nice too. Flying on an airplane was something you dressed up for. Great pictures – thanks for posting

disappointed not to have any shots of the wonderful complementary meals… NOT

These are just commercial pictures with attractive stewardesses. We have does now-a-days too you know.
But they still create a cocktail party kind of feeling where everyone is drinking martinis and look like supermodels.

Aaron Bust, youre a bummer. safety or no safety, if a plane goes down youre gona die either way. but at least youll fall into oblivion while surrounded by hot stewardesses. which beats dying while surrounded by old hags whining that you should keep your belt on.

Man, whatever happened to those skimpy outfits?? looks awesome!

@Eliza

I took that Jim’s “ladies acted like ladies” comment meant that “ladies” or female passengers were not necessarily dressing like street-walkers, being rude without cause, or cursing up a storm like a sailor as you may hear simply by walking on the street.

My belief is that the Womens Liberation Movement was great in garnering many rights for women. Its downfall was that SOME women thought in order to get ahead or truly be accepted they had to become one of the “boys” through actions of what could be considered unladylike – cursing, spitting, joining gangs, starting fights, selling/using drugs, excessive drinking, etc.

For the record, my comments are not foul-mouthing the female gender, it’s of course the sacred few that spoil the advancements that have been made and continue to made. The same could be said for every group that is in our society.

Now back to our flight…

thank Jim! these pictures are awesome! I only wish I had uniforms like these when I flew. I was a flight attendant and even the girls I flew with that were Pan Am girls admitted those were truly the glory days.

Thank you for reminding us of what used to be. I would add that passengers also dressed nicely for taking trips on aircraft, many in hats and gloves, and best of all most of them were well behaved. Some airlines had stewards, and these were often dressed in white dinner jackets.

Listen Eliza.

You may feel you need to rant and rave about how oppressed women where back then. But I can tell you that I would love to be back there. In today’s world women have forgotten what it means to be ladies. We walk around as if the world owes us something, we leave our children to the care of others, we gossip and gripe that men treat us badly, and yet most women are too self-righteous to really let a man take care of them. A woman like that can’t begin to understand what it would be like to live back then. Where a man would hold a door for you, where it was ok to let a man take care of you, it was ok to raise your children and be involved, it was ok to take pride in your cooking, and homemaking skills, and it was ok to want to take care of your family… No Eliza you wouldn’t understand. You just keep plugging away at whatever sad job you have, and keep gripping about men and their views and one day you will wake up and realize that since women decided to take on the working world we have had more crime, more children left alone, more broken marriages and broken homes. So yes, I would love to live back then where it was a good thing to be a woman.

I have mixed feelings about this. On the one hand, the clothes and hair styles are awesome. I love the look of the 1950s and early 60s era, hence I’m a fan of the TV show “Mad Men”.

But Aaron does make a lot of good arguments. Today’s fashions may not look as good, but we have a higher quality of life. In many ways, we are so much better off than we were then. We take so many things for granted that the women of the “Mad Men” era would have killed for. As for the men griping here, I bet all of you are Republicans. People in that party are notorious for being behind the times.

Great History!
Enjoyed them a lot.
Former PSA Stew

ummmmm, yes, those WERE the good ole’ days, thanks for the trip…back down memory lane….yesssss.

“we have had more crime, more children left alone, more broken marriages and broken homes. ”

Kristine, this is patently and demonstrably false. Crime is at a 30 year low. Children don’t need constant supervision in the first place (back in those lady-like “good ol’ days,” it was common for kids to run about the neighborhood– just be back before the streetlights are on!). Also, children are just as likely now as in the Victorian era to grow up in single-parent homes: the difference is, back then, one parent was just dead.

As for the last, I suspect we have more divorces because women actually have their own skills and money with which to get out of an unfortunate marriage instead of being “stuck.”

Picture #10 is not from the Good Old Days, it’s from the future. That’s the uniform worn by the flight attendant (space attendant?) in the film 2001: A Space Odyssey.

THESE PICTURES ARE SIMPLY GORGEOUS.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE COMPILATION & COMPOSITION.

I DO REMEMBER SEVERAL FROM YEARS GONE BY !!

I flew from 1958 to 1965, and gladly never had to wear such outlandish uniforms. We at TWA were proud of ourselves and so was the company.

Space was still minimal and the food was still atrocious.

i dont even think the skirts on today’s flight attendants are allowed to be that short!

Just to let you know that the picture with the three girls in orange/blue/white are actually band members. That was the high school uniform for marching band.

Other than that, very nice photos!

Thank you whom ever Those were real A/c and real people.

50 Photos From Air Travel’s Glory Years | Vacations.com…

For those who have traveled in the last several years, you’ll have noticed that most of the glitz and glam of flying has been all but lost — especially for those not traveling first class. For example, meals are seldom complementary, and extra bagg…

[...] These days flying has taken on new burdens of excessive baggage fees and overpriced meals. Vacations.com brings us back to the glory days of flight when “the stewardesses resembled beauty pageant contestants, when pilots seemed likes heroes, and when flying still seemed to be an adventure” in 50 Photos from Air Travels Glory Years. [...]

The 4th photo shows Jodie Brass Weigand on the left in the short jacket. She just retired a few years ago from US Airways.

and then they all got older, and kept working….

An excellent collection of pictures, really brought back memories of flying as a teenager. Thank you

These ladies are very pretty but I do not think their attire is appropriate for the job. It would be nice to be served meals and not have to pay for luggage. More than anything else, I just would like to see the seating with more space. I am small but on long flights a little more room would be more welcomed.

Gail — August 27, 2009 at 1:51 pm

Wow. Take an article based on past experiences that were pleasant, and find a way to take a cheap political shot.

Only lefties can do so badly. When will you guys grow up enough to enjoy life, rather than whine, complain, and attack your fellow Americans?

==========

I found the pics enjoyable. As with all major industry growth periods, startup time is the best time. The air travel industry was no different. Everyone was excited. Everyone prided themselves in doing their best. Life was fun, and life was good.

The reason for so many limiting rules and regulations todays is because of the insurance companies and their goal of limiting payouts at the claims window, supported by the ABA, who does their best to keep the lawyer members fully employed with lawsuits.

Which reminds me about the Missing 13th Amendment which forbade lawyers from serving in government. If that had happened, we would have less legislation and still be enjoying many of our earlier freedoms.

And maybe we’d still be enjoying attractive stewardesses.

And, yes, Gail, I’m an old dude and a conservative, and I have lived long enough to ‘get it.’ With luck, you’ll get there one day yourself.

Hah ha!

Glory days? Not for the women who were forced to parade around in those ridiculous outfits for the benefit of their primarily male passengers. Ugh. Thankfully the airline industry has move past the objectification of its staff.

Men and women look at young gals. Thoughts may be different, but, the power of youth and sex gave the industry its early day glamor.
Was that my Mom or Grandma that just reminded me to fasten my seat belt?
Ah, for some of the things (equality, discrimination) the unions helped fight; marketability was destroyed. A lifelong career job for some has tarnished the glow for the buyers of the product.
I just saw where a UA flight attendent is celebrating her 50th anniversary. Thank goodness for jetways, as she probably wouldn’t be able to climb the steps of todays widebodies.

I was a Pan Am Stewardess in the golden years. Say what you will, those were wonderful days! Foreign countries were foreign – signs in Hong Kong were not in English like they are now, and major cities did not all have the same Gucci, Tiffany etc. store fronts and mega malls you see today. You knew you were going some place magical, and it began with your flight!

We held your babies, took care of you when you were sick or drunk, made sure you were comfortable – and yes, we were there for safety issues. Too few people know we went through a solid hour of safety training before every single flight. Because our pilots were so good, you never had to find out! And every Pan Am flight had at least one stewardess who could speak the language of the country you were flying to/from.

This is a great site for memories, but probably not a good place to vent about how the times are now – just smile and remember when “A stewardess was a stewardess!”

I flew from 1993 to 2004 and have to admit, it was the best time of my life so far. So much fun!

[...] These photos bring back some memories. [...]

Hey Stu, it’s 2009. 2001 is not the future.

I remember these uniforms & how so “today” they thought we looked…we went from buttoned up Military look to the Kitten look of the strip clubs, until we had men in the cabin in the mid 70s…
Amazing trip down memory land….thank you.

P. S. I flew for AA for 40 years & we always look great!!!!
No pics here of any of them.

The same women are still stewardesses

I don’t really get the pics of the majorettes…

How about some more pics of how passengers have changed over the years…they’ve gone downhill a lot more quickly than the flight attendants.

This is when people did not act like idiots on an airplane…….

I was only a kid remember at the gate or sometimes getting on the plane to see my Dad leave before he went on his trip.

I remember some of the stewardesses wearing short dresses would sometimes get me a coke or one of those free little plastic airplanes. If I was not able to see him leave, he would always come home with a plane or two. They were white about 3 to 5 inches long with the logo of the company and wish I would of kept some.
The good old days of being a kid in the mid 70′s.

“LOL having been a flight attendant for 25 years (Eastern, United, Air Tran)…this makes me smile . I remember the good ole’ days in the 70′s as a kid–my mom flew for Alitalia and later National here in the states. Thanks for the pics they are AWESOME! And for the previous comments, I was hired on my looks and education. JK—cheers. All comments welcome at ilovejetz68@aol.com.

I used to be cabin crew for an international airline. I flew mostly the DC-10-30. What a glorious a/c. My Director of inflight started in 1968 with Braniff. She said that back then, with their Pucci outfits, in First Class they did something called the ‘jet strip’. With each course served (meal service) they’d remove one article of their uniform. She said that during her final interview in Dallas, in front of 5 men, she had to hike her skirt up to show her legs. All ‘the girls’ HAD to have nice legs because of the Pucci leotards. Can you imagine being asked to ‘hike up your skirt’ in a job interview today?!

I don’t know… 2001 A Space Odyssey took place eight years ago. I’d call that good old days.

Hey Sarah,
Mile high member? Be honest!

stu- 2001 is no longer the future. neither is Pan Am. just sayin….

[...] 50 Photos From Air Travel’s Glory Years | Vacations.com. [...]

These photos make me miss the old days of flying with Braniff, Pan Am, British Caledonian, Ansett Australia…

Wonderful shots. I worked for Pan Am in BGI and remember those uniforms. This was the best time of air travel, where service was the word

I flew with National Airlines, 1963-1977, how did you miss our Oleg Cassini designed uniforms, our Florida look, lemon, lime yellow with sun visors, worn on the face when we boarded and the famous “SunKing” on the tail of the aircraft’s? There were so many outstanding uniforms of the 40′s and 50′s also, which was our military period. National was the airline that was so profitable that airline’s were fighting over us to merge, Pan American won.
We were the only airline picketed by women because of our slogan “Fly Me”. On my historical web site, every decade of uniforms are shown and gives the overview of why we were the 5th in the U. S. in the 70′s. We were an International airline, both of our CEO’s, Ted Baker and “Bud” Maytag were commercial pilots.
Every time an article is written about the golden era, they omit us. Someone isn’t doing their homework!
The Sun Still Shines!

There is a dublet, the woman sitting inside a jet motor.

Many of these look more like cheerleaders than stewardesses.

Picture #10 is not from the Good Old Days, it’s from the future. Well future is 2009 But i must admit the pics are just masterpiece

Take me back to the 60′s!

WOW. The amount of SKIN shown is never different. How funny.

Isn’t photo #10 the girl from “2001, A Space Odysee”? I swear that’s what the lady was wearing on the flight from the Earth to the moon.

[...] from vacations.com original source here, here Home [...]

Flight attendants sure don’t look like that today. Guess they don’t need too. With all the trash customers flying today.

A couple of the pics depicted Air Bahama / Loftliedir Icelandic DC8-63CF’s
I have great memories of flying from Nassau to Luxembourg and back on those in the late 70′s . I remember the plane being above thunderstorms over the Atlantic at night and seeing the lightning as if it was under a blanket .
Those were , and still are one of my favorite airliners . Glad to see them still flying as re-engined freighters .
Oh , and the stewardesses were great too :p

Enjoyed the pics. I’ve been a flight attendant for the better part of the last 20 years and have seen many changes. One thing that people should always remember is that the position requires a lot of initial and annual training, long hours and great patience. I have been lucky to have worked with people who make the job look easy, even though it isn’t. I still can’t imagine doing anything else.

[...] 50 fotos de comissárias de bordo – 50 fotos de comissárias de bordo do tempo em que elas se chamavam aeromoças [...]

A trip down memory lane. I remember the Southwest Airline flight attendants….when I flew from El Paso to Love Field …77 – 79. Great service, great price…$25.00 one way. WOW….Now, its like riding a Greyhound bus to Detroit from Chicago.

Will Someone tell those idiots that “2001, A Space Odyssey” was a

movie that was about the future because it came out in 1968!! Actually

I was flyng for Eastern Airlines as a flight attendant at the time and

when I saw the the movie, I loved the stewardess’ uniforms,..ours were

too military looking, thought they did get more strylish as the years went

on. I flew for 20 years and loved every minute of it!

Flew with Braniff from 67 to 82 when they declared bankruptcy. Amazing uniforms from Pucci to Halston, tons of uniform styles and accessories, from clear ‘space’ bubbles to pucci umbrellas, mink coats with hoods to custom-fitted halston suits and ultra-suede trench coats. Braniff kept a seamstress on staff to ensure everyone looked sharp. Check-ins began with a grooming check for hair,makeup, uniform, nails, shoes, nylons, and a weigh-in, just in case a pound or two had slipped on. Wonderful memories of exotic layovers, Acapulco, Paris, Honolulu, HongKong, Tokyo, etc.

The man raising a glass in the cockpit looks like Freddie Laker to me. The source link doesn’t work so can’t check. He bought the tour operator I worked for in 1967-8 – Lord Brothers Travel, London.

at least we tasted a bit! good memories of it!
i remember one of my first flights as a kid, The Captain invited me to the flight deck and he gave me a “PILOT WINGS”.. Unforgettable.
time pass by…
Now all is LOW COST, Airline, Salaries an Cabin crew recruiters became low cost too…
so…
traveling is cheap, catering is cheap (Quality), and the rest too…
also there are a few comments very Relistik, now for 500usd you can cross the world , then we started to import explosive-monkeys from everywhere and thankx to them all got spoiled. i think drinks were for free isn’t it?

But is was nice i think a lot of People miss that way of flying too.

cheers to all!

Wow..what a trip back in time looking at those pics. And the stewardesses! They were the ones that made it all the worthwhile! National, Pan Am, Eastern just to name a few of the great ones. Hell, I remember asking a stewardess for a light for my cig. What a wonderful time that was. The only delay I remember while inside an airplane (an Eastern 727), was holding over the everglades approaching MIA. And that was only maybe 15 or 20 min. Not 3 plus hours on the tarmac like things happen now.

I guess we can thank the ACLU for what we have now. If you want to enjoy nice service with pretty ladies you need to go and travel on Singapore Airlines or Korean Air Lines. They still have the pretty ladies with great service and nice outfits.
You are correct about the Pan Am outfit on picture #10. That is from 2001 A Space Odessey (sp). Still looks great. Guess he (The Author) didn’t think we would go in the direction we went.

Where’s Air France? :3 (I’ve heard it was designed by christian dior)

All the comments seem to be about stewardesses!

It is a pity that most of the airlines now think that they are doing us a favor in letting us aboard and hire drill masters who demand that we obey their every command and do not smile or make jokes in case we trigger a terrorist alert!

Of many airlines that I have used recently only British, Virgin and Cathay Pacific seem pleased to have me as a passenger. The rest appear to despise me and everyone else on board.

A once great industry that has failed every test of customer service and, unfortunately, deserves the trouble it is experiencing.

I worked for TWA for 38 yrs. and yes, those were the great years..I applied for stewardess and weighed 119lbs..they wouldn’t take me…had to weigh
between 96 and 109…what a change from today…think they are hired from the phonebook!! Requirements are way toooo lax now…and smiles and happiness should be required!!

I didn’t see any from American Airlines. So disappointing. I was a stew in the late 1960s and aside from carting those liquor kits through the terminal to and from the plane, it was wonderful. The stews shared a room in the hotel, whereas the cockpit crew (all men, of course) each got their own room.

I had to wear a girdle – at 20 years of age! Special makeup, special nail polish, special hair dos and certain jewelry. We had weight check once a month. One pound over weight and you were suspended until you were back under their limit for your height.

I flew the BOC 1-11, 727, 707, and before I left, the 747.

Excellent adventure.

I was one of the first UAL 100m mile club members, and Reynolds Metals
would send me first class if the flight was over 4 hours. United would give me
a personal stamped match book ( I did not smoke), and little red booties to
wear on the flight. I still have an unopened bottle of champagne from
Western Airlines, and personalized luggage tags from PSA. A ticket stub from Robinson Airlines which became Mohawk Airlines which became
Peoples or something else. It was a treat to fly then, not anymore.

FLEW FOR BI IN THE 70S AND CLOSE TO THE FALL OF THE AIRLIINE….WE WENT TO THE “EARTH TONE” UGLY BROWN FOR THE FRONT END CREW…THE LADIES STILL WORE SOMETHING FASHIONABLE IN THE BACK…LOVED THE AIRLINE AND ALL THOSE FINE FOLKS I HAD THE HONOR TO FLY WITH.

Nice job! I didnt know LTU flew F-jets!

i’d love to know what the hell is going on in that Braniff promo shot ;-P

It’s too bad it may never come back. Anyone who hasn’t worked in the airline industry and doesn’t understand regulation, you have yourselves to blame! Customers wanted cheaper prices, they wanted more options, and they forced the industry to give up the luxury and service. Fierce competition has forced every airline to cut service until there’s nothing left. The flight attendants probably ARE hired from the phonebook because they don’t pay them enough to get quality personnel, and the pilots don’t get paid much better.

Thanks, Congress! Do you HAVE to ruin everything you ever touch?

[...] morepictures check out the link here. « Dancing with bikes… [...]

[...] 50 Photos From Air Travel’s Glory Years | Vacations.com (tags: vintage air retro travel photography) [...]

Check out the Slogan on the Chicago & Southern DC3 (Second Photo Down) *** ” The Valley Level Route ” …..must have made passengers think twice when boarding…..

I loved all the old pictures. Flying for UAL was such an honor, and I loved all the employees. Most of the uniforms were great. I wish they would go back to the “weight checks”, and the pride most F/A’s had in their appearance. Maybe someday.

the ‘class photo’ of the pan am f/a’s, circa late 1960′s really brought back
memories. late ’60′s, early 70′s i was in the army, stationed in panama
city, panama. i discovered flight attendants there, since there weren’t
many early 20′s girls to date in the canal zone. i drove an mgb, they
wanted to see the panama canal…the rest was history. there were some
romantic interludes, but mostly is was good friendships…i’m still in touch
with one of those fine ladies today…40 years later!!! today, i’m a platinum
frequent-flier on northwest…and often end up in first class. that’s about
the only place left to have a meal, and a drink, and to get on a personal
level with the flight attendants. thanks for lots of great memories!!!

Yep that was Freddie Laker.
Man he was cool to work for.
Braniff had the babes i must say.

Things were very differant back then, a time that will be forgotten.
Now it is all political and gotta be careful not to offend anyone.

We had to take the stickers of the Stew/flight attends seat …lol
“Max Cap 175 lbs”
Made some feel bad I gues. I say put down the donut and go on a diet you hog.

What I wouldn’t give to turn back time.
Women knew what to look like and made sure that is showed.
Thus, the company made money, it was NOT the piolts or company.
It was what you had to look at while killing time.

Brought tears to my eyes….”it was the Best of times”. Thanks for the memories! Patti Hill TWA

I’m 81 now–don’t do much flying anymore, but when I was a boy working for North American Aviation in Inglewood, CA, I flew all the majors and I remember all the ladies who looked after the cattle, especially on those long overseas flights! Brings back pleasant memories as I looked out over LAX and watched the ‘new’ jets as they landed and took off for point unknown.

WOW! this brought back so many memories of the “Good Ole Days” I well remember my first flight from Mpls. to Denver in the early 1960′s… We were served Champaign!!! I don’t recall “first or coach class”. The food was good the stewardess’s were classy gals…but then things changed.
The famous quote “And that is the way it was”.

i flew for twa from 67 to 91. what a great way to live in those days. where are the twa photos? the paper dresses. the bright orange stripped dresses and overcoats?
those WERE the days my friend……………………

I am torn between WOW were we hot and how the hell did we let them talk us into wearing that stuff!!

My first flight was on a DC-3 from Salt Lake City to Chicago 10 May 1943. The weather was bad and it took 24 hours to make the trip. My first contact with a stewardess occurred when I awoke to find her mopping up the vomit from my Air Force uniform
when the passenger next to me got sick from the rough flight and threw up on me. She was like a beautiful angel and she made the long hazardous flight a pleasant one which I’ll always remember.

I agree with Ellen….how did THEY talk us into those uniforms????

I remember flying with Pan Am and laying over in Viet Nam..we all had time to take photos in the engine pod of the 707. Yes, from a pill box and white gloves to a Mumu with United Airlines. It certainly was a remarkable adventure through the glorious skies1 Thanks for the memories

wow, look! I’ve flew yesterday and I think they’re all the same!!! It seems that they didn’t change crewmembers and all the flight attendants are still here, just a little bit older… some 60, some 65 and some 70 or older…

I flew from 1973-2008. Times have changed. The passengers were once well mannered and well dressed. Today, they are more likely to look, smell, and behave like uncaged animals. They pay $299 to go to Europe from NY and still complain. If you really want to know why the service changed over the years, it is because the fares are the same today as they were in 1970 and that it NOT adjusted for inflation. If you want quality, you have to pay for it, or take Greyhound.

I flew with UAL from 1969 until 2008. So have seen it all! The major reasons why airlines are so different today from the 60′s.:
1. Equal employment act of 1972, cannot discriminate for age,sex, race, etc..
2. Deregulation
3. Terrorism
4. Public demand for lower airfares, would rather give up extras for lower fares.
5. Airline bankruptucy, mergers, and buyouts.
5. Higher fuel prices

Wonderful pictures. You can blame the late Teddy Kennedy for ailine de reguation and what happened to the wonerful service. Don’t believe me? There is a Harvard B School case entitled “Kennedy and the CAB”. BRING BACK THE OLD DAYS, that dad helped launch in America.

Men were men, engines were round and flight attendants were female.

Congratulations for whom have posted all these pictures. It is really amazing to see all of them. They brought back so many good memories of all those old good days which we won’t have anymore. It’s a pity there isn’t any Brazilian picture.
Carlos Alberto/ Charles

What great memories these photos evoke. I flew very frequently through South America and Africa and Europe for about 30 years since leaving the Navy and university, usually on Pan Am, sometimes on TWA and SAA and Air France and Lan Chile and Braniff and VARIG.
So I always had First or Business Class tickets in those days when airline travel could still be called basically interesting and pleasurable.
SAA and VARIG and KLM and British Airways were my favorite foreign carriers and, of course, Pan Am my favorite U.S. carrier, but Delta and AA were not far behind.
My memories of Braniff are good, and the story was that all of the luscious stewardesses were daughters or kin of important Latin American execs and were hired and told to find a good available pilot or customer to marry.

It’s no-one’s fault but our own. I also have fantastic memories of flying in the 60′s. Those were the days when everyone was polite to each other, a man would give his seat up for a lady, and when the flight attendants did their briefing everyone listened, even if only out of politeness. Now you can’t even get a thank you. We all expect alot from the airlines, but we only want to pay as little as possible. They’re trying to hire friendly experienced girls, but can only pay minimum wage, and then get sarcasm and bags thrown at them for what turns out to be a thirteen hour day. Yep, I’m still a stewardess. We’ve changed, but passengers have changed more. I’ve been called a cocktail waitress more times than I can count, and I still smile, I still do my hair and makeup everyday, and I still look sharp and give great service. Even when my passengers could care less that they paid $100.00 to sit in the leather seat of a $70 million dollar jet and put they’re feet on the tray table and clip their toe nails! Yes, where did it all go…………

Well I was a Flight attendent, from 19778 to 1991, and my sister, my two ex-wifes, and my mother too; so bouth of us were flight attendent, during several years. I can just say; gold’years….never came.
I’ve ever had great memories…..just good moments, but what most I remember…..it was a collor’s aircraft…..and the women’clothes……so nice; bye , bye transbrazil collor’s aircrft……bye

[...] photos from air travel’s glory [...]

I worked for Hughes Airwest at LAX our gates were next to PSA and I can tell you it was hard to concentrate on work with all those PSA hot pants walking by. I can tell you, after 38 yrs in the industry, the traveling public were less demanding and civil in those days.

I for one am not so enamored of an era that was so full of sexist innuendos. All the young and beautiful “stewardesses”… it was far more important to be young and pretty than to be cabable or accomplished. I remember well having to occasionally explain my needs in 4th grade terms to a prettily smiling twit.

And those “stews” who were intelligent, and there were many of them, had to endure girdles, short skirts, endlessy smiling and no doubt a few gropes. They were treated like second class citizens by the airlines and the passengers alike.

What I REALLY miss is a little leg room and water. It would be nice to have some reasonably good food and comfortable seats too, but “reasonable” and “air travel” are incompatible words.

We’ve given up checking baggage, it gets lost too often and now they want to charge you extra for the audacity of expecting them to carry bags for you.

On my last flight I got the distinct impression that the airline would feel much better if they could just herd us all into a big room with no seats and stack us like baggage.

By the way, Mr. Bishop, one reason the public was “less demanding and civil” 38 years ago is because we had comfort, water, food, and politeness back then.

Or was it that the PSA hot pants just kept you from hearing the complaints?

[...] rates can be extortionist. But was it always this way? The answer, of course, is no. Check out this site. Comments [0]Digg [...]

Am still flying after 37 yrs…Yes, EVERYTHING has changed…and YES, it all was better then…but I am still LOVING it!

Andree from Air Canada

What is the use of looking back. The airline industry is what the public demands! It is low cost, which means the airlines have to cram the airplanes to the gills just to eak out a tiny profit. Most of the time they don’t even make money to cover the cost of flying the trip. Older flight attendants and planes are not the problem. Deregulation has led to mediocrity by allowing over capacity in the market and not allowing the industry to prosper. But is is too late to change, the public thinks low airplane fares are a right, not a priviledge.

[...] | Vacations [...]

To all the girls I loved before,

Thank you to all you beautiful ladies who loved and nurtured this appreciative pilot for the past 40 years of my wonderful airline career.
Without your love and companionship the job would have been very boring and those cold nights in London, Paris or Tokyo way too lonely.
The welcoming jokes you played on me as a brand new pilot in my early twenties to the love, respect and friendship you showed, up to the last leg of my retirement flight at age 60.
I will cherish the memories, story book love affaires and the wonderful human touch that kept me going for all those years and sometimes under difficult and stressful job conditions of our cyclical industry.
I feel sad to see the dramatic changes in the industry we were once proud of and witness the destruction and decay of all the great things my generation of airline employees were lucky to have enjoyed. The power hungry and greedy airline management, indifference of our regulators and the society in search of cheap transportation have taken all the joy and even safety aspects out of the best job in the world!

Captain Rusty

Thanks for all those wonderful pics. I worked for the airlines 35 years mainly TWA, Delta and NWA. I traveled both sides Pacific Rim and Europe and yes I flew First Class most of the time(if space was avail). It was a Priviledge to fly on a pass, today flying is a joke. I pay for my tickets now because the flights are full and there is a good reason for that. I wont go into detail as to why. In Years past you dressed up to fly… but todays generation fly like slobs. I find the Flight Attendants today a little dif from the past but they too must go with the flow. As for the crews they are AOK in my book, safety is their top priority. Once again thanks for the memories.

I think some of them are still flying today !

I was one of those short skirted flight attendants. Yes flying was fun. Now you sit like a sardine, and dont dare to ask for water.

Very nice – The good ole days before Frank Loenzo.

Wow, I put in 31 years with Western and Delta and retired 4 years ago. It was great seeing the old photos. I hav a bucket load of them too. For many years it was a blast. I haven’t been on a plane since retirement. I talk to old friends that are still flying and they cannot even afford to go out to a real dinner in Europe on layovers…no money. Attitudes have changed and management, greed, bad economy, and general rudness have changed the marvelous world and the excitement of flying to exotic destinations. If anyone would like to reconnect rom the old days, feel free to email me at passportjewelry@msn.com.

Hi, Loved the pictures. Not any from Eastern Air Lines or National Airlines. Would Like to see more every month for us old guy’s.

Thanks, keep them coming.

What an emotional flight back in time! I worked for EAL, first in MIA then ATL, from ’68 to ’86 and remember all of it. Yes, we had to wear girdles, white gloves, shoes with heels (even while serving), could not be married or have children and had to weigh in monthly. The pay was low for starters, and we worked like dogs on those full flights. Every leg there was a meal or at least a snack and we did not have serving carts. We ran those trays two at a time from the galley, poured drinks and coffee then picked it all up and put it away. Things slowly changed and the pay got better, regulations more relaxed and we could live “normal” lives on our own time.
I still have a photo of myself working a beverage cart on a DC-9, probably about ’71 or ’72. I was wearing hot pants and brown vinyl boots. We always had some kind of scarf going on. We sure were ‘hot”!!!
I never wanted those days to end, but somehow, like all things, they did.
Sometimes at airports, I still get a little teary eyed. It was a wonderful life and I am so blessed to have been part of it. I miss all of my old comrades, and, wherever you are “Thanks for the memories”.

omg………i love these phots..i want to be an air hostess .. from ever since i was a lil gurl

I was a Hostess/Flight Att. for TWA for 35 years and have been retired since 01/01/01. These pictures bring back some wonderful memories and showed us we were special. Can’t believe the uniforms…the really short short ones ( we wore petty pants under to keep us legal) I know we have to have change but it would be nice to bring back some class to flying. F/A are the front line to passengers and I think the airlines need to make them Happy so they will smile again. FLY HIGH

I was director of the Kansas Aviation Museum, Wichita, KS for 6 years. TAT was the main reason Wichita built a new airport in 1934. TAT later became TWA, so KAM has a lot of TWA memorabilia, including mannequins dressed in old TWA stewardess uniforms. The TWA stewardess uniforms shown, KAM has on display.

These pics are so cool…but…isn’t the 5th pic from the bottom High School cheerleaders?

16 yrs. with CAL, 3 yrs in the street with picket sign against our beloved Frank Lorenzo, never got that job back of course. All my retirement money into Pride Air and of course we lost that in the first 90 days. McClain for 6 months until they went bust, great job with MGM Grand Air, two trips around the world each month and met every dignatary in the book!!!!!!!!! Went on to Champion Air and ended up on the DC-8-70′s with Air Transport Int’l as a freight dog. Now living in beautiful downtown Pahrump, NV with my beautiful wife whom I met in 1974 while working for a great fellow, Bob Six at Continental, Carol, my wife was a flt. attendent at CAL, she is still a skygodess. Love the pictures, they really bring back wonderful memories, too bad the good old days are gone forever. I too have NOT been near an airport since I retired at 60 back in 1999 nor do I want to go near one!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Bill Johnson, now a full time coin dealer in US coins———– Hiflyer002@aol.com

Oh, the wonderful memories of friends no longer seen.
Great friends that would bring cold washcloths to mop our brows in a steamy cockpit.
Fights with cabin service for commanding the flight attendants NOT to wear silly hats and scarves in a uncooled cabin.
Wonderful relations between the cockpit and cabin…working together.

Keep the blue side up…. Fred

Yes, the good old days are gone, but so are uncomfortable matching shoes, silly hats and those unable to keep clean white golves. Now, its lace up shoes, knee surgery, no more weight check, so the high callorie snack food keeps us from starving because we don’t searve a “real meal” anyway. All we’re waiting for now, is to qualify for Medicare, since our pensions are now former managements’ Golden Parachutes. We don’t make enough to have a decent 401K, since the Bankruptcy took our pension plan, and oh, by the way, “Did managent tell you about the 100% Social Security offset?” What ever you have left over in your “frozen Pension Plan” they reduce the payment you receive from your pension Plan, dollar for dollar, as you draw your social security check. “Glamourous job, being a “SkyGoddess”, don’t you think?” If you are wondering if your “old hide” flight attendant shouldn’t retire, SOON? We would love to, but public assististencs and food stamps can’t cover all the medical bills now that we’ve ruined our feet, knees ,backs, and necks,elbows and various other parts, looking great, but working very hard.

A great life style that can never be repeated!! I fly occaisionally and am never envious of the working crew. I do miss the crews that I flew with for 32 years (PAA). My kids asked me to write down my memories and that has brought back allot of mom ents to be remembered! I’m presently up to the early 70′s having started in 1942. This page is priceless to me and I hope it continues to “make the rounds”! Thank you for publishing it

What fun to see the outlandish outfits.
I spent several years with TWA and loved seeing the Constellation airplane and Hostess crew of my uniform era on this email.
I remember when we had paper uniforms to use inflight…the gold lame, the french black and white maid outfit and two others. I would never wear mine but wish I had kept them. They must be worth money today in the collectable market.
Ps…I got a kick out of the photo of the cockpit fellows with wine glasses!!
By the way…my uniform type is on display in the Air and Space Museum in DC.
What a fabulous opportunity I had to see the world.

Great photos, but very disappointed that there are no photos of Eastern Air Lines Flight Attendants. those were the Good Old Days when the girls were all ladies and knew how to treat the passengers as people not cattle.

I flew as an Airline Hostess with Braniff 1957-1958…..out of Love Field DALLAS!….Favorite memory… a charter trip with the Fred Waring Orchestra……Little Richard….Jose Iturbi as passengers……? No…it was the middle of the night ferry between MDW and Soux City Iowa….The Pilots found out I was taking flying lessons (Piper Cub J-3) and went to the back of the plane for coffee and let me fly for 15 minutes….alone in the cockpit……DON’T tell anyone.

Two of my sisters were flight attendants for Mexicana in Mexico during the 80′s both were proud and took their job seriously. Now, two of my nephews work one for Mexicana, the other for AeroMexico. They too take their job seriously and try to do the best they can do.
I travel quite a bit, and I see that the flight attendants of today, don’t care for the customers and don’t seem to try to do their best, so I’d like to know: what’s happened to that work ethic? the pride on their job?

These pictures are great. I have a combined 39 years Western/Delta and I am one of the “gals” that are still flying.

I started flying in 1969 for Continental, I remember thinking I was the luckiest girl. Sure the work was difficult, I remember serving cocktails and soft drinks individually between Portland and Seattle on a full 727.
I loved working first class on our flights to Sidney, the service was so classy. When Frank Lorenzo destroyed not only our airline but the whole industry I went on strike like a lot of my fellow employees (including my husband), if it hadn’t been for Alpa and all of it’s members we would have truly been in desperate financial trouble. The industry now is so different, I would not recommend that anyone become a flight
attendant for a commercial carrier. However I was lucky enough eight years ago to begin again as a flight attendant on a corporate shuttle.
What a difference, I don’t fly weekends, or layover, or holidays. My passengers (never more that thirty-seven a flight are respectful, friendly,
and a total joy to serve. I wish that all of you who have put in so many years for so little reward could have the experience I have had.
Still, do I miss the good old days? I sure do, but then I miss being young
also so maybe the two went hand in hand.
My hats off to all of you still flying.
Karen O’Neill

While we’re mentioning Lorenzo, let us not forget Carl Icahn, who sold the TWA employees down the drain. The first thing he did in order to finance his L.B.O. was to sell off TWA’s oldest and most profitable routes.
All those who think Icahn did a good thing, be sure to continue voting for all the politicians who made his thefts possible. And that was just the beginning of the collapse of the U.S. economy.

I worked 35 years in the Spanish Aviaco until it disapeared (merged with Iberia). I was one of the lucky ones that new the Airline business when it still was a real Joy to work it in.
To Captain Ross “Rusty” Aimer… Your words are my words!
What beautiful times we enjoyed that are gone forever!

I remember the good ole days and they were something else. I cannot believe the stories I hear from customers today. The flight attendants and pilots had a strong dress code, which in turn the people in public contact also complied with. It made you proud to work for an airline, and we treated the customers like customers instead of numbers. I retired in 1993 and have not been to an airport since 2000.

I started with the airlines on the 4th of July 1963 in Anchorage as an Equiptment Serviceman(bags,biffies,fueler,honeybucket–etc with NWA.Eventually became an Avionics (R&E TECH) and learned to fly while I carried a picket sign in the big strike of 1966–(BIG SIX IN 66) it was called.I eventually became a Western pilot during the late glory years and retired as B767ER Captain with Delta July 1,2002(39 years).I really enjoyed the pictures and remember the PSA uniforms —WoW they were really something.
I really dont miss it now .Met a lot of really great people along the way so I miss a lot of those people.

Oh boy. Those pictures really took me down memory lane. I, too, thought I was the luckiest gal when I landed my job with United. I flew for 34 years. So sad to see what has happened to our airlines. I do not miss it at all but I am glad I did it for at least the first 25 years but really glad I no longer fly.

After 41 years with AMR and spending 15 of those years in the Flight Dept. with daily encounters with the Cockpit & Cabin Crews, I still favor the Cabin Crews. Those Pic’s brought tears to me eyes. While the job was difficult during a WX session, the pay back was knowing that the FAIR ladies would always bring a smile to our face when they returned to Crew Sked or Operations. The best years of my life with lots of fond & warm memories.

I flew for PSA – still in the skies today and lovin it. It is not the same. . . but still can be good

Nice photos but errr… the one near the top, of the air steward with the funny looking bubble hat, she’s from the film 2001: A Space Odyssey so technically shouldn’t be included here.

I think the air stewardesses from days gone bye are a hell of lot better looking than what you get now a days!

Boy– do these bring back memories–of the great days of flying for passengers like me. I began flying transcontinental in the 1950s, and still have to fly today for family and business. The glory days of the 50s-70s will never be seen again. Today’s travel is miserable from start to finish, unlike the pleasures of good service and plenty of room for a 6 footer.
My most elegant experience was flying Concorde and the Japan Airlines DC-8s across the oceans, but nothing could beat the fun of PSA and now Southwest!.
To all the flight crews from the pilots to the ladies caring for us–very best wishes for the good old days!

Hey bill, still glad you are out there, though no longer kickin tires…….MGM was fun captn! take care, and all the best.
SteveO

Love the memories … I work for Both CO and the Old FL…I love them both
they where like family

oh yes what a shame we don’t parade women in short skirts up and down the aisles anymore

Fun pics, but is this really what the glory days of air travel was about… stewardesses in short skirts in every photo? Kinds sexist isn’t it?
]
What about the amazing pilots? Or first flights of whole new classes of airlines? Or last flights of terrible planes such as the Comets? What about the amazing service that passengers used to get, such as fresh (real!) food and cocktails? Or, in the early days, how air flight was mainly for the well-to-do: passenger fashion and look of the day.

50 Photos From Air Travel’s Glory Years | Vacations.com…

Nifty airline outfits….

one of those pictures is clearly of 3 cheerleaders, i mean come on you can see they are standing in front of a football field!!, anyways interesting set apart from the fabrication

any body know anyone out there that was with Antillies air boat arlinnes in St thomas V.I ???

wow, thanks, Kiny! sure brings back lots of memories, and hard work, but worth every trip!!!! linda

Don’t be too hard on today’s flt attendants. It’s a whole different industry.

I was looking at these thinking my God I was not not even born then!.
But then ,I recognized my fellows flight attendants on Pan Am black and white picture around the empty round foutain most likely in Miami!
I am looking for flat mates Holly Peterson and Mary Faith Grymes eversince 1972.
Please write back if you know where I can reach them.
I do not know their married names.
THANKS.
Denise
Geneva
Switzerland

These days, when you call the girl “waitress,” she acts offended.

Geesh!

Hey Guys, I speant a career (38 years) with American Airlines at DCA and IAD from 1951 until 1989. I agree those were the golden years of the airline industry until deregulation in 1978. I worked as a ramp agent, operations, crew schedule, ticket counter, fleet service etc so I had a good feel for all phazes of the airline business. One funny thing I remember about the short dresses and skirts the stewardesses wore was one rather short girl who was gorgeous. She would reach up to open or close the overhead bin and had embroidered on her under pants the words “Fly AA” one word on each cheek visible to all. (ha)
A special thing happened to me In 1960 when I was given the priviledge of traveling as Passenger Service Manager in the presidential campaign between JFK and Nixon. A lifelong democrat, I was asked to accompany the Nixon Campaign but so far as they knew I was the best republican on the trip. (ha) My close friend John Sullivan was chosen to travel with JFK which I always assumed was because of his Irish name. (ha) The experience was wonderful for both of us and we still have photos and some videos of our trips around America. Thanks for the memories. Charlie Waddell, Leesburg, Virginia

I sometimes wonder if we really lived through those wonderful days or if it was just a dream. Thanks to all the people who made it so special.

Wow! I have been a business traveler for over forty years. Can’t possibly describe my traveling experiences but many must share my pain. Although I am now retired and avoid airline travel as much as I can I do remember the glory days of air travel. These pictures bring back grand memories of gorgious girls, free drinks and gourmet meals experienced aboard all the major airlines. Now I am starting to get a grip on why the airlines have recently started charging for baggage. With flight attendant weight on the rise, the airplanes are likely approaching gross weight and need to compensate for sending bags to destinations via Fed-X.

Great photo’s , wish there were more..
I was there “Western Airlines” , now Delta.. Those were the days..
Thanks

Just recently retired from AAL and really did have more good times than bad. Miss the folks that I flew with most of all…

Let’s get back to the good old days of having fun……..

Those were the glory days and am proud to have been a part of them! Not a day goes by when I don’t miss it! UAL/FA 1978 thru 2005!

Thank you for the memories. They are but a thought away. However the career in the skies now really means exceptionally low pay,extremely long hours, grumpy passengers and even grumpier crews. Travel if you must.. out of necessity and don’t expect much. You’ll have a good flight . Flying now can be renamed struggle yourself to your final destination. There are no more glory days. These photos bring back why we can’t get passed the good old days of yesteryear. Until it is payday!

I graduated in Pucci at Braniff Int’l., but why don’t they ever show the beautiful Halston uniforms? Now with United, and we get new uniforms in 2011. I can’t wait to see and wear them.
I also recall working first class at Braniff 1 in an offwhite apron that looked like the flying nun! (Halston uniform). Keeping it white was interesting to say the least.

I’ve been working as a flight attendant for the past 24 years. Why aren’t there any pictures of male flight attendants on the list?

When I started flying in 1973 with Braniff 1, it was great !!! We were young, adverturous, and scared to death !!!!!!! I have been with United for the past 25 years, and can’t get over how much everything has changed…..from the uniforms (thank God), to the passengers, to the inflight services. It’s been a real life lesson to have been doing this job for 36 years !!!!!! Can’t wait to see what ????? more years bring !!!!!!

I started with Piedmont in 81 and retired last year with USAIRWAYS. I remember taking great pictures over the years. One of them standing in the engine in London. And all those uniforms! Ha! Now they are back in style. I sure do miss flying. So, for all of you still out there, enjoy it and stay in the skies until the very end. You’ll be happy you did.
Fly safe OK?

Yes I flew the Glory years. Started Spring of 1965 and retired December 2006. I flew props, and wore a hat and white gloves, roller bags were not invented, much less cassette players. We actually were required to wear girdles, and could be checked with a FEEL to our bodies. We wore our HATS while we worked; mandatory. We actually talked with passengers, and they with us. I had to quit. I could not stand the abuse from corporate America. Lets talk HUBS. Originally, when we flew, we flew direct, or maybe stops with minimum time between takeoff and landing. Now however, as we all know, the flight attendant, as he or she is now called, may fly from point A to point B, say flight time of 1 hour 30 mins. and they have to wait at a hub, for 4 or five hours and then fly 2 hours. with an overnight stay of minimum rest ie 9 hours from arrival to report. and really only be credited for 3 hours and 30 min. You get the picture. It sucks. I feel privileged to have been a part of the BEST of FLYING. THEY even replaced the PILOTS with computers. Now, they, as in corportate AMERICA, intend to replace the flight attendant with OUTSOURCED, labor. Yes . so much for Homeland Security. It is NOT possible to have an FBI check, of persons from OTHER Countries. Yes what ever happened to CUSTOMER SERVICE? It no longer exists, anywhere.

Great look back, though a bit before my time still really good to see, now how about one about the UK Airlines/
I was with BIA then BEA, now BRITISH AIRWAYS, we sure went through some uniform changes!
I hear a lot of moans from people in aviation generally but there is nothing new about that, it is a priviledged life to be enjoyed, tired or not, the perks are amazing, i know things are not as they were, but what is? Flight Deck and Cabin Crew have to be VERY skilled people these days with jobs unheard of years ago. i believe a smile and patience still brings out the best in others, so SMILE GALS AND GUYS AND ENJOY, you would hate an office job!

From an early age, I wanted to be an air hostess! The opportunity presented itself in my 50th year, on my 8th try! I am currently with a regional carrier, and am having the time of my life! Many of my passengers comment that I remind them of the “glory days of flying”, as I deliver great service, lots of fun, and courtesy on every leg!

From my jumpseat, I flashback to the young girl I once was, with a big dream of flying all-over-the-place, and I smile!!!!!!!!!!!!! I love to fly and it shows!!!!!!

SO GLAMOROUS LOVE THEM ALL !!!! Hey P.P . let’s retake these poses very soon to add on our collections

I retired from America West Airlines (which is now US Airways). I made a mistake retiring from this field! I miss it so much! Hopefully, I can apply and do it again! Best job I ever had!! Stays in your blood once you get onboard!!!

Classic…
After flying with Lloyd Aviation ( Adelaide Sth Aust) Qantas (twice) Emirates, and 13 years corporate in the USA, I have seen some uniforms too!!
Love the profession, the uniforms, the people and the laughs!! would not trade it for anything!

Great photos, worked for Pan Am during 20 years and for United another
years when retired from the active service .

I still missing , would not retire from the active service if Pan Am still flying… I too made a mistake retiring from this type of working, but anyway kept the good memories….

Thanks for a wonderful trip down memory lane! I flew with Capital/United from ’59-’61, based in Pit and Mia! Great years of my life. Flying is such a drastic change today from it was then. So glad I experienced the good years!

I started in the later years of this display…..the look has changed many times but the comradery is still the same and I hope that never changes! United Airlines based in SFO JFK LAX ORD DCA and the fun just never ends. Thanks for the great layout….I’m glad to have been part in this great history.

Hey baby, I dig those “sexy stews”! Yeah baby. They were really switched-on, shagadellic, and terribly groovey baby.

Been in the business since 1967…….Those were the day’s, my friends!
Just wish I knew how cute I was at the time!!!!!!

Actually, picture no. 17 (the cute redhead) is a new ad from Icelandair. I know that girl and she’s born in 1982, so it’s not that old

These pictures were great! I was hired by PSA in 1969 and it was the best job an 18 year old could have had! Loved the memories…..

These pictures were great! I was hired by PSA in 1969 and it was the best job an 18 year old could have had! Love the memories…..

Those were the good old days and PSA was the best in class. When travelling in California I always chose PSA and made sure I got on the plane early enough to get an aisle seat at the rear end. The scenery was much prettier than looking out the window.

These are great…but you have to remember that the passengers never would have been able to board wearing what they do today! Pajamas and slippers, seriously? I love the pic of the captain toasting his FO! Cracked me up! I have only been doing this for the last (almost) 8 years but I love it and as the one guy said, I could never do a 9-5 office job!

Remember the days of little regulations too. I worked in Alaska during the 50′s & 60′s and I would open my office at 8 a.m. which was across from a bar open most of the night…and watch the PNA flight crew stumble out of the bar to catch a taxi to go to the airport to take their plane (that had overnited) back to Seattle. Always dreaded flying with them…never sure if they would be sober!

I see a football field behind the three girls in one of the photos. I think they might actually be twirlers, not flight attendants. Looks like what twirlers wore years ago.

Ahhh yes, the memories. It was alot nice then – airlines actually VALUED their customers – rather than treating them as the problem. What a concept – treat your customers (income source) as important to gain repeat business!
Like Ron – I have retired from the international marathon travel lifestyle, and went from 150 flights per year to about 1 round trip – if I HAVE to. The greyhounds and I hang at home, and I am much happier.

One story to relate to the old timers – There used to be an airline called North Central (with a duck on the tail….ahem). I flew them from summer camp in northern Wis back to Milwaukee every year growing up. One time in Oshkosh, I remember the announcement “Our pilot missed his call – he was out late last night and is still a bit drunk, so we apologize for the delay while we find a sober alternative….” Things were different!
J

Started with TWA -1953 at SFO. Wish now I had stayed. Would have retired as captain. I do remember the F/As in those classy uniforms and you have done a great job with the website. Braniff was one of my favorites along with Southwest.

Started with TWA in 1970 and went through some great uniforms. Will always remember the Golden Days they were great. After AA bought us out, I lost my seniority so I’m on the ground again. Can’t wait to get back, it is the best job on the earth. I’ll probably do it till I croak, it is too much fun.

I retired from Iberia Airlines after 25 yrs of service. Before I was a flight attendant for Eastern Airlines when it was glamorous to fly. It was the job of my dreams and would love to be back there again.

I was a “flight hostess” for Trans Texas Airways beginning in 1967 and have been in and out of the airline industry since then. I tried leaving a couple of times, but always returned to the excitement. The biggest change I’ve seen is the lack of respect for the flight crew. When I walked down the aisle of my assigned flight in my gorgeous uniform, people treated me as the authority in charge of the cabin (as it should be) even though I was 5′ 2″ and weighed 95 pounds! TTA was the only airline I could find that would accept applications from such a short girl.

I started with Braniff in 1959 at Nw York’s Idlewild (now JFK) Airport.
Transferred to Dallas in 1974 and worked with BI until 1983. These
pictures certainly bring back memories. Does anyone remember the
Braniff “strip,” where the Braniff Hostesses would start out with layers of clothing on, then slowly do a strip down to their working clothes.
And the first class meals on Braniff’s “Fat Albert” to HNL , and the cabin service was absolutely great! I enjoyed “almost” every minute of those 24 years.

REMEMBER PERFECTLY THE CHARMING GIRLS IN THEIR UNIFORMS …. as well a during the briefing at operations office as during their work in the cabin … AN PERPETUAL ENJOYMENT DURING MY 28 years with TWA…….

Just looking for 50′s 60′s photo’s and ran across these.
Thanks for sharing, they are great, made me smile.
Looked like great times.
Thank You!

These made me feel young again. I started BI in 1951 at Dal till OTB. Then swa till 1997. Sure saw a lot of change (not for the better) The girls look so YOUNG. I like Jim loved the inflight service at Bi. the meals on fat albert were out o site. all airlines of that era were great. Sorry to see it go

The Things That Dreams Are Made Of…

I love stewardess culture!!!

I am of Piedmont vintage and remember how much fun it was to go to work. Thanks to corporate greed from butt heads like Lorenzo and Stephen Wolfe all the money was stolen by their large salaries on the backs of their employees and passengers.

Tom Davis, the founder of Piedmont was a generous man to his people. He would roll over in his grave if he saw what the “big dogs” have done to the airlines!

I don’t understand why some people try to blame the flight attendants for the changes in the industry. All we do is follow corporate policy. In general, we would love to talk to the passengers, offer them a pillow (oops, can’t), a magazine (oops, can’t), serve them a quality meal with a complimentary glass of wine (oops, can’t & can’t). So we try to talk to people… who are much more interested in their dvd or iPod, so much so they won’t even take out the earphones to listen to us ask if they want a glass of water. It isn’t just the uniforms that’s changed, it’s the whole or society. Don’t blame the flight attendant.

Love the PanAm Bobble-Head Hat

Love the photo’s, those truly were the glory years. I was a Pan Am flight attendant from 1968 to 1986. I miss it and would not trade the experience for anything.

These pictures are great – thanks for the trip back.

These days I’d be happy with flight attendants that are pleasant.

This was before air travel sucked! Once they started letting the riff raff on planes, the quality went down… now it’s like taking a bus! Ugh. I won’t even consider flying “coach” when looking at air travel. Even a 45min flight is a drag…

F/O, then Captain in the 50s to 80s on TWA was the best job there ever was or ever will be….I loved EVERYthing about the job – especially the beautiful hand-picked ladies!. Went thru a couple wives that way – would do it all over again!!!

I flew for Pan American ion the 80s..even then we had the time of our life! Skiing in Chile, horseback riding in Argentina, safari in Kenya and dancing on the tables in Rio…the fun never ended. I now fly for the biggest airline in the world..how this will turn out remains to be seen. I still cherish my beautiful uniform and hat from PAA.

Kristine, EXCELLENT points. I agree 100%. If we would go back to behaving like ladies…keeping our bodies slim and in shape, being respectful to men, etc…then they would be able to treat us like princesses again. Nowadays, women are fat, slovenly (oh, and believe they look sexy with lard rolls popping out over their 3 sizes too small jeans) and uncultured. I wasn’t alive in the 50′s but I think they had it made.

The hairy-legged, fat, mustachioed women’s libbers ruined our culture.

Ohhhh, sweetie, you sound so angry! Clearly you’re either a gay man or a fat lesbian. Chill out. Most Americans miss the days of attractive, polite Stewardesses and hate the disgusting, rude, fat, ugly old goblins in the cabins these days. At least they’re good for a laugh, though.

Buh Bye

north central… great airline. too bad when it was bought out by Republic

To all those who say “Isn’t all the short skirts and comments about the women sexist?”.  Yea, so?  You don’t like the job and don’t like being thought of that way, FIND SOME OTHER WORK!  Personally I think the majority of the “stews” liked being thought of as sexy and in a lot of cases I personally witnessed, flaunted it!  So if you don’t like it, don’t become an FA.  Or don’t read about it.  In fact, do all of us that DO like it a favor and go somewhere else!

I flew United from LA to Boston twice and they were the two best flights I ever took. I was coming back from Viet Nam both time and a STU moved me from coach to first class, fed me well made sure I had plenty to eat and drink. THANKED ME FOR MY SERVICE IN VIET NAM.  I needed that.  (1969 @ 1972)