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 Pan Am luggage and crew 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 proper 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. (Via)

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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)

FIFTY YEARS AGO, 1958 — the jet age officially makes its mark in history with the launch of the Boeing 707. Jet planes could fly to their destinations non stop, cheaper and faster than before. Air travel was now longer not restricted only to people of wealth. “Fly me friendly”, “coffee, tea or me?” We have all heard it before, stewardesses with big smiles, elegant outfits and long legs making sure that your trip is an unforgettable experience. But what was it really like? Is there any truth behind how air travel was portrayed in its golden days? Ultra Swank travels back to 1970 to talk to former Pan Am stewardess Valerie Waterman.

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Remember what is was like before Southwest Airlines? Well, I don’t. But it looks all good to me. Here are two early 1970s ads from the Dallas based airline Southwest Airlines and Miami based National Airlines. Both rather sexist, created to attract the attention of male passengers using tightly fitted outfits on the stewardesses along with broadcast and print campaigns suggesting that you could “fly” a stewardess to your destination of choice. Good times indeed.

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