The golden age of flying was not about lie-flat beds or in-seat entertainment. It was about luxury in the sky, unmatched glamour, and an era when flying was an event. From smoking onboard to seat-side steak service, these fascinating facts reveal what made mid-20th-century aviation so unique and, at times, wild.
Everyone Smoked on Board
In the golden age of flying, smoking was standard. Passengers lit up as soon as they sat down. There were smoking and non-smoking sections, but these were practically useless due to how cabin air was circulated. Air entered at the front and exited through the rear, meaning secondhand smoke traveled freely. Rear walls often turned yellow or brown from nicotine stains, and the air was heavy with smoke during every flight.
Jet Engines Were Loud and Intense
Early jet engines were incredibly noisy. The aircraft of the time, such as the Boeing 707 and the Comet 4B, used low-bypass turbojets that were designed for raw power, not silence. These engines roared during takeoff and were known to shake entire airport terminals. A single takeoff was louder than ten modern jets combined. With fewer noise regulations in place, this roar was just part of the experience.
Flying Was for the Wealthy and Glamorous
In the 1950s and 60s, air travel was an exclusive club. A basic ticket from Paris to London could cost over £50 when the average annual salary was around £2,000. Flying was a status symbol. Boarding the plane was like walking the red carpet. Passengers were often photographed beside the aircraft to capture their chic departure moment, complete with tailored suits and cocktail dresses.
Airlines Catered to Unaccompanied Kids
Airlines treated children flying alone with extra care. These passengers, known as unaccompanied minors, wore special ID badges and were guided by attentive hostesses from check-in to arrival. They received gifts like branded cards or collectible pins and often got invited into the cockpit. Airlines saw this as a clever investment in brand loyalty from a young age, something that’s largely faded today.
Early Flights Were Not Very Safe
Air travel in the early jet era came with real risks. The Boeing 707 had a tendency to Dutch roll, which required skillful piloting to correct. The world’s first jet airliner, the de Havilland Comet, suffered from catastrophic metal fatigue. Jet engines were unreliable and aircraft often had four engines for backup in case of failures. With basic weather tracking and lax security, hijackings and mid-air accidents occurred more often than they do today.
There Was No In-Flight Entertainment
Entertainment was minimal and mostly social. Passengers talked, drank, smoked, and played cards. Airlines handed out branded decks designed for use on small tray tables. Flight attendants, referred to then as hostesses, were selected as much for appearance as for service. Most were young, unmarried women, often under strict grooming standards. Many airlines, especially in Asia, maintained that image well into the 21st century.
Airport Customs Were Cold and Basic
Passengers disembarked directly onto the tarmac, often braving bad weather in formal attire. Terminals lacked modern climate control, and customs and immigration were slow and intrusive. There were no visa-free zones like today, and travelers often had to fill out extensive paperwork. Money exchange was tightly regulated and travelers faced strict limits on the currency they could carry or convert.
Fine Dining Was Served at Your Seat
First-class dining was nothing short of five-star. Some airlines partnered with famous restaurants like Maxim’s of Paris. Food was served table-side from a trolley, with waiters carving meats and pouring wines directly for each guest. Aperitifs, paired wines, and a post-meal scotch or brandy were standard. Multiple top-ups were expected, and no one worried about hangovers or duty-free limits on arrival.
Planes Had In-Flight Bars and Lounges
Onboard bars were a hallmark of luxury airliners. Even the early Super Constellations had bars for fewer than 50 passengers. Certain Boeing 707s featured small cocktail lounges, allowing guests to walk around and mingle. Cigars were permitted until smoke became too overwhelming, and drink options were plentiful. For many, the bar was the most social part of the flight and a reason to fly first class.
You Felt Like a Celebrity
Flying in the 1960s and 70s made you feel special. The experience began before takeoff and lingered long after landing. From the attention of flight attendants to the glamour of rubbing shoulders with celebrities like Frank Sinatra or Marilyn Monroe, air travel was something to remember. The emphasis was not just on getting from point A to B, but on enjoying the journey in high style.
The golden age of flying had charm, but it wasn’t perfect. The smoke-filled cabins, high costs, and limited safety technology would be unthinkable today. Yet, the experience was full of flair, and for many, it remains a nostalgic benchmark for what flying used to be like when the journey was just as important as the destination.
