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 baggage rates can be extortionist. But was it always this way? The answer, of course, is no. And so, we decided to take a look 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 – to remind us, of just how things once were. Below are fifty amazing pictures that define bygone eras, and together serve as an homage to flight’s colorful past:
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AH, the good old days! I am still working for CAL. Not the same anymore. The crews just want to get through another flight rather than have fun. Can’t blame them though since all the general public wants to do is pay 5 dollars for a first class seat from LAX to somewhere in Europe. Have to admit that the old Flight Attendant uniforms were beautiful. (sorry for the sexist remark…. NOT!!!) When I was in the Navy, I do remember buying a round trip ticket between San Diego and San Francisco just to visit with the Flight Attendants on the flight. Ah, to be young again…
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
Ah yes, a lot of these I have seen, but many I have not.
Classic. My business deals with all this vintage stuff in the form of t-shirts. I am even planning to use one of these shots (probably PSA) for a future t-shirt…….
Just recently retired from AAL and really did have more good times than bad. Miss the folks that I flew with most of all…
old is gold. old design is looks very good. i like very much. thanks for sharing old fashion
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! 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.
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.