Boeing 747, also known as the jumbo jet was first introduced in 1970. With Pan American airlines as one of its major investors they had the possibility to influence the design and development of the aircraft. It was deemed that the world needed a jet plane of massive size that could transport hundreds of passengers fast, efficient and with style. Juan Trippe who was the CEO of Pan Am at the time predicted that the 747 would be "... a great weapon for peace, competing with intercontinental missiles for mankind's destiny." (Source).
Here is a taste of various photos found at the great airliners.net website, depicting how it was like to travel with a Pan Am jumbo jet in the early 1970s. For anyone who hasn't been able to experience it first hand, I recommend getting the Space Age Lounge Volume 3 compilation and then read the article about former Pan Am stewardess Valerie Waterman. What are your memories of jet traveling in the 1970s?
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I am the mood to travel to some place warm and exciting so I thought, why not experience some vintage airline commercials from the the past for some inspiration? Here are a bunch of TWA, Pan Am and Braniff commercials produced in the late 1960s and the 1970s — the golden age of air travel — that are sure to bring a smile to your lips. Which is your favorite airline to travel with today? Continue reading to see all the clips.
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It was most likely much tougher than it seemed – with charm and grace training, evacuation exercises, disgruntled passengers and endless hair and makeup sessions. Guess all the excitement and grandeur is a thing of the past. Does anyone even consider becoming a flight attendant today? Photos taken from the wonderful Life archive at Google.
You love stewardesses don't you? So do I. Flying today is not the way it was used to be, so to remind you all of how elegant, exciting and swank traveling by airplane used to be here are a bunch of photos taken from the golden years of flying circa 1950s to the 1970s. For a real life story on how flying used to be, check out the story I did with former Pan Am stewardess Valerie Waterman. Which is your favorite still in operation airline? (Via) [Thanks Chester]
Images via Vacations.com
In the depths of Europe a hidden gem just became exposed. Anyone familiar with the golden age of aviation is most likely also very familiar with the airline Pan Am, who set the standard of modern aviation and swank traveling since the 1930s and onwards. The airline had hubs around the world and the airplane crew obviously needed places to stay when they were not high in the sky so Pan Am obtained apartments which pilots and stewardesses could utilize while they were jet setting around the world awaiting their next flight. One of those places is located in Berlin, Germany in a apartment house close to the Zoologischen Garten.
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From online shop Inretro comes these lovely retro airline and hostess flight bags straight out from a relaxing intercontinental flight in the 1960s. Although reproductions, they look like the real deal and they won't set you back like the Marc Jacobs designer Pan Am bags that arrived not too long ago. Inretro features both airline bags and smaller airline hostess bags for storing all your must-have items on a long transatlantic flight. I was able to obtain my own Pan Am flight back dating back to circa 1960 from eBay a few years back. Although not original, it was bought from the same line of bags they used in Catch Me if You Can starring Leonardo DiCaprio. Complete with a Catch Me if You Can luggage tag and minus the smell of a bag that's been stowed away in the attic for 50 years. Inretro has well over 70 bags from different airlines to choose from, including Pan Am, TWA, Air France, British Airways, Lufthansa and many more. Prices range from around £20 to £30 which is a great deal for anyone wanting to look like a jet setter.
Seeing it's Friday why not embark on a delicious weekend trip to Europe. Our friends at Pan Am will take us on a 6½ hours long transatlantic flight from New York to London on their new Boeing 707 - the biggest jet plane of the late 1950s - holding up to 150 passengers. With a wingspan that is longer than the entire distance of the first Wright brothers flight we will travel faster and higher than ever before all in the comfort of the air conditioned cabin were we will of course also enjoy fine cooking and the friendly service of the lovely stewardesses. I wonder if the mile high club have been invented yet? Footage from the Prelinger Archives taken in 1958.
Image via airliners.net
The luscious collaboration with British lifestyle magazine Chic Today proceeds. Here is the fourth article by me, it is lovingly called Fly me friendly and continues my fascination of air travel and stewardesses in its golden age. The article can be found in their magazine available in a interactive form or as downloadable PDF-file (links below). But as of this issue all of the editorials will also be presented as posts through their website. Chic Today is totally free and features interesting articles about fashion, design and lifestyle elements for all of you who enjoy the more chic things in life.
Chic Today Issue 23 - Flights of Fancy (Magazine version)
Chic Today Issue 23 - Flights of Fancy (PDF version)
