Jaunted

Retro Travel / American Airlines / Airlines / First Class Travel / American Airlines in 1959 / → All Tags

In 1959, In-Flight Entertainment Included Sending Telegrams

Sit down, shut up, and buckle your seatbelt—this is the motto of modern air travel it seems, and now it's so hard to believe that flying used to be a pleasure, a privilege. There are few legacy carriers left who remember the days of airplane cocktail lounges and Mad Men-esque style, but we managed to dig up an old "Welcome Aboard a 707 Jet Flagship" pamphlet handed to passengers flying on American Airlines in 1959.

Follow along with us this week as we peek back at air travel as it was fifty-plus years ago thanks to this discovery, and unearth some real shockers.

We sure hott and holler over in-flight wifi a lot these days, but with all the of the technological advances made with regard to in-flight entertainment over the year, it's really the next logical step. But while we log on at 35,000 feet, let's take a moment to reflect on the days when you only had a choice between reading or writing a telegram, and when cigarette lighters were to be kept in your pocket on flights...

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Retro Travel / American Airlines / Airlines / In-Flight Comfort / American Airlines in 1959 / → All Tags

In 1959, Passengers Were Treated as 'Intelligent, Interested, Friendly People'

Sit down, shut up, and buckle your seatbelt—this is the motto of modern air travel it seems, and now it's so hard to believe that flying used to be a pleasure, a privilege. There are few legacy carriers left who remember the days of airplane cocktail lounges and Mad Men-esque style, but we managed to dig up an old "Welcome Aboard a 707 Jet Flagship" pamphlet handed to passengers flying on American Airlines in 1959.

Follow along with us this week as we peek back at air travel as it was fifty-plus years ago thanks to this discovery, and unearth some real shockers.

Do you how desperately this country needs a Passengers' Bill of Rights? Thus far, only Jetblue has been brave enough to pony up a version of it, which allows for passengers to be treated like humans even when things don't go so well. Other airlines however have demurred, preferring to sit entire flights on the tarmac for hours during delays with no food or water, or simply denying access to information.

But back in 1959, American Airlines had the right idea with a two-paragraph rough draft of a Passengers' Bill of Rights, written by AA President C. R. Smith.

Check it out, after the jump...

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Retro Travel / American Airlines / Airlines / Business Travel / American Airlines in 1959 / → All Tags

In 1959, You Could Write Your Own Airline Ticket on American

Sit down, shut up, and buckle your seatbelt—this is the motto of modern air travel it seems, and now it's so hard to believe that flying used to be a pleasure, a privilege. There are few legacy carriers left who remember the days of airplane cocktail lounges and Mad Men-esque style, but we managed to dig up an old "Welcome Aboard a 707 Jet Flagship" pamphlet handed to passengers flying on American Airlines in 1959.

Follow along with us this week as we peek back at air travel as it was fifty-plus years ago thanks to this discovery, and unearth some real shockers.

Business travelers, the second most beloved airline passengers, right after loyal First Class flyers. With their expense accounts and pressing meetings, biz travelers are manna from heaven for airlines, but it wasn't always this way. Back in the 1950s and '60s, the airlines were still trying to prove that flying was the way to go about business, versus driving or —heaven forbid—taking a train. Thus, there was a lot of "really, we're worth it" talk from American Airlines in this pamphlet. Plus, mentions of discounts if you bring your wife!

Or you could just write your own ticket, after the jump

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Retro Travel / American Airlines / Airlines / Flight Attendants / American Airlines in 1959 / → All Tags

In 1959, Stewardesses Weren't Allowed to Weigh Over 135 Pounds

Sit down, shut up, and buckle your seatbelt—this is the motto of modern air travel it seems, and now it's so hard to believe that flying used to be a pleasure, a privilege. There are few legacy carriers left who remember the days of airplane cocktail lounges and Mad Men-esque style, but we managed to dig up an old "Welcome Aboard a 707 Jet Flagship" pamphlet handed to passengers flying on American Airlines in 1959.

Follow along with us this week as we peek back at air travel as it was fifty-plus years ago thanks to this discovery, and unearth some real shockers.

Although the term "stewardess" has been replaced with the gender neutral "flight attendant," we didn't think that too much had changed over the years. They still smile and thank you for flying with their airline, they'll still serve you food (even though you might be paying extra), and the uniforms are still largely unflattering and flammable. But then we read this pamphlet...

After the jump, we visit American Airlines' stewardess college, circa 1959

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Retro Travel / American Airlines / Airlines / American Airlines in 1959 / → All Tags

In 1959, a Boeing 707 Was the Hottest Jet in the Sky

Sit down, shut up, and buckle your seatbelt—this is the motto of modern air travel it seems, and now it's so hard to believe that flying used to be a pleasure, a privilege. There are few legacy carriers left who remember the days of airplane cocktail lounges and Mad Men-esque style, but we managed to dig up an old "Welcome Aboard a 707 Jet Flagship" pamphlet handed to passengers flying on American Airlines in 1959.

Follow along with us this week as we peek back at air travel as it was fifty-plus years ago thanks to this discovery, and unearth some real shockers.

These were the days when watching a gleaming silver Boeing 707 inspired wonder at man's invention and technological know-how. Perhaps that's why this pamphlet was present onboard, as it goes into serious detail regarding how planes take-off, land and generally fly; there had to be many passengers flying for the first time whose nerves could be calmed simply by reading the information. Not these days though; people pop a pill and they're good to go.

After the jump, we takeoff in a 707...

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