Ultra Swank - Retro Adventures

On-board a Boeing 747 – With Pan Am & United Airlines

Written by Chris Alm • February 23rd, 2010
On-board a Boeing 747 – With Pan Am & United Airlines

Boeing’s Mockup 747 cabin, circa 1970

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?

Source Airliners   

Above: Stewardess getting ready to make an annoucement — Photo via airliners.net

Above: United Airlines lounge and bar — Photo via airliners.net

Above: United Airlines conference area — Photo via airliners.net

Above: United Airlines had its first class lounge on the lower deck — Photo via airliners.net

Above: “747 heavy requesting landing permission” — Photo via airliners.net

Above: Pan Am’s economy class cabin — Photo via airliners.net

Chris Alm

Christopher founded Ultra Swank in 2005. Has a crush on mid-century graphic design, defunct airlines, Disneyland and the Century 21 Exposition. Is a collector of easy listening music from the 60s and 70s and a Swedish expat living in Barcelona, Spain.

Find out more about Chris Alm

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