Vintage Photos of 1960s Air Travel
The 1960s marked an exciting new era in air travel. The inclusion of jet engines on commercial planes led to the emergence of larger, faster vessels such as the Boeing 707, and made flying a more affordable and accessible way to travel. It was also a luxury experience: The golden age of air travel cultivated an in-flight atmosphere akin to a cocktail party as guests dined, drank, and smoked en route to their destination.
These glamorous flights were a far cry from the buslike airplanes of the 21st century. Aircraft interiors in the 1960s were more roomy and colorful, and boasted a cultivated aesthetic that applied to everything from flight attendants’ uniforms to dining utensils. Between 1958 and 1972, almost half of all Americans had taken to the friendly skies. Here’s a glimpse of what they would have experienced.
Airports Were Bright, Spacious, and a Testament to Midcentury Design
In the middle of the 20th century, airport guests were treated to state-of-the-art architecture. Features such as floating staircases, designer seats, and minimalist accents made terminals warm and comfortable; bars and lounges were bright and capacious. Today, some travelers can still live like it’s the 1960s: In 2019, JFK Airport in New York City opened the TWA Hotel, an homage to the airport’s original TWA terminal. The refurbished terminal was updated to accommodate overnight guests and diners; the retro space incorporates design elements from the terminal’s original rooms and lounges.
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Flight Attendants Were at the Forefront of Fashion
In 1964, advertising executive Mary Wells Lawrence worked with Braniff International Airways to launch the airline’s new identity, a rebranding dubbed “End of the Plain Plane.” The stylish campaign started a movement. Airlines quickly began adopting Braniff’s approach to pops of colors and bold prints, and flight attendant uniforms became canvases for fashion designers such as Emilio Pucci and Jean Lewis.
Airlines Encouraged On-Flight Smoking and Served Gourmet Meals
Airline passengers in the 1960s could expect the full restaurant experience, including access to cigarettes. Smoking was only discouraged when on the ground (for fear of igniting refueling fumes), but guests were free to smoke cigarettes, pipes, and cigars while in the air. Gourmet food was just as available: Lobster, ham leg, and caviar were regularly served and even prepared tableside midflight, creating a fine dining experience.
Many Passengers Passed the Time Drinking
The combination of free alcohol and a lack of smartphones led to an abundance of onboard drinking in the ’60s. Champagne was offered to first-class passengers, and upper-deck lounges were equipped with walk-up bars. In 1964, in-flight movies were introduced using closed-circuit technology, offering a necessary alternative to partying at 30,000 feet.
Airport Security Was Almost Nonexistent
In the 1960s, there was no need to show up to the airport two hours before a flight, as security was much more lax than it is today. In fact, an ID wasn’t even needed to board an airplane until the early 21st century, and you were basically guaranteed to make a flight if you showed up 30 minutes before departure. Friends and family members could escort departing guests right up to their gate, and security screenings weren’t implemented until 1973, when passengers began submitting to metal detectors and bag searches.
Space and Luxuries Were Plentiful
In the golden age of flight, even passengers in economy experienced today’s business-class legroom and complimentary sustenance. First-class guests, meanwhile, had access to cocktail lounges, reclining seats, six-course meals, and fashion shows put on by flight attendants. Flying in the 1960s was also a much more social experience. Onboard, passengers could schmooze with fellow guests, including celebrities.
Air Travel Was Even More Expensive
Passengers paid premium prices to experience air travel in the 1960s. Before the Airline Deregulation Act of 1978, the federal government controlled ticket rates and set fees high to ensure airlines would prosper. International flights were four to five times more expensive than they are now, and could cost as much as $500, the equivalent of more than $4,000 today. A round-trip flight within the United States was less, but could set passengers back roughly $100 to $400 (the equivalent of about $800 to $3,000), considerably more than a domestic flight today.
