Advertising: Welcome to the world of TWA

Here’s a glimpse into the wonderful world of now defunct Trans World Airlines (TWA). I love the catchy and somewhat cheesy 1960s theme song! The video could use some color correction obviously seeing it has degraded quite a lot over the years, but who cares. Following that video is a promotion of Boeing’s new 747 airliner with what looks like Trans World’s livery. I can’t help thinking of the movie The Out of Towners when I watch it. Maybe that was the idea though, anyone who knows?

Update: The livery of the 747 is not the one of TWA but of Boeing and the aircraft that is shown is in fact the very first 747 (RA001) in production. It is on display at the Seattle Museum of flight. Hat off to Hans for pointing this out!

About the author: Chris

Founded Ultra Swank in 2005. Has a crush on Pan Am, Disneyland and the Century 21 Exposition. Lives life as an expat in Barcelona, Spain.

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By Chris

October 19th, 2008

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Comments for this post

  • Lee Prewett

    Although I did not actually fly for the first time until the 1970′s I remember going to LAX to watch the TWA planes. This of course was a time when anyone could go all the way to the gates as opposed to now when a person risks getting shot on sight if one stops for more than five seconds at the curb. Different and better times they were…

  • Hans

    The colours on the 747 are in fact those of the Boeing Company. The aircraft seen in this clip is the very first 747, “RA001″, today displayed at the Seattle Museum of Flight. Thanks for a great blog, my favourite!

  • Keith

    I didn’t fly until the late 90′s. I always been fascinated by the airlines of the past. I’ve heard so many stories from older people who had flown back then. Watching videos, seeing pictures, etc. really makes me wish I could have been around back then.

  • Anastasia

    the old trans world ads are fantastic!!! really kitsch! shame they dont make ads like that anymore.

  • Chris

    Yes, too bad. Flying isn’t the way it used to be, so impersonal and no service. Awww.

Ultra Swank – Your one stop blog for retro living, style and design

Ultra Swank takes you back in time into the kitsch, chic and swank living of the 50s, 60s and the 70s. We mainly focus on the design, architecture and the lifestyle of the happy-go-lucky and space-age-living mentality of that era – but also on the music and movies that takes you back to happier times. Ultra Swank is run by Chris, a Swede born in the wrong decade that currently resides in Barcelona. Read more

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