You’ll often hear people talk about the “golden age” (or “the good old days,” if you prefer) of air travel, and how much nicer flying used to be than it is today. Heck, a lobbying group for US airlines is asking Trump to eliminate consumer protections, arguing that this will “unleash American prosperity and the new ‘golden age’ of air travel in America.”
So in this post I thought it would be interesting to briefly talk about the “golden age” of travel. Was it as great as it sounds, or is it all an illusion?
In this post:
What the “golden age” of flying was actually like
Typically when people talk about the “golden age” of flying, they’re referring to the 1950s to 1970s, which coincided with the dawn of the jet age. Admittedly this was way before my time — I grew up in the “grab a nasty turkey sandwich in a cardboard box on the jet bridge prior to boarding your US Airways Boeing 737-300” era
Yes, all the videos and advertisements we see from decades ago are true — people dressed up to fly, there were five-course meals, there were onboard lounges, and there was almost a social club element to the whole thing.
Of course it’s important to recognize that flying was also way more expensive, and it was at a time of airline regulation, where airlines couldn’t set their own prices. As a result, they invested a lot in their product, in order to be able to compete, and win over business.
Airline schedules weren’t what they are today, and the quote from the below video sure doesn’t provide much reassurance about travel back then — “you can travel 21 million miles before reasonably expecting to be killed in an air accident.” So in other words, a lifelong airline employee can expect that they’ll die on the job. Ouch.
What was actually the best period for the airline industry?
It’s funny, because people often fawn over the “golden age” of air travel, but was it really that great? Flying was way more expensive than it is today, and was something reserved only for the wealthy. Never mind that it wasn’t as safe.
All too often, it seems like we hear people on a $69 basic economy fare complaining about how flying “isn’t what it used to be.” Right, that’s true in terms of passenger experience and price. Nowadays you can fly exponentially cheaper and more safely than back in the day.
Sure, the most basic airline tickets nowadays don’t compare to the most basic tickets back in the day. And yes, even first and business class tickets within the United States aren’t going to have amazing food, like back in the day.
But I’d argue that unlike back in the day, consumers now have choice. If you want to view air travel through the lens of being an experience reserved for the wealthy, then sure, it isn’t what it was.
But on balance, aren’t we actually living in the golden age of travel? Like, we have more choice than ever before, at virtually all price points.
If you’re wealthy and money is no object, just look at the Emirates first class experience, as it’s better than anything back in the day. Suites with doors, endless entertainment, showers, bars, unlimited caviar, and $500+ bottles of wine? Or take a look at the Air France first class experience, where the ground experience rivals or even beats what you’d get in private aviation.
Meanwhile business class hard products nowadays are better than first class hard products were back in the day. Premium economy on international flights is more in line with what business class used to be.
So yeah, we’re not in the “golden age” in terms of flying being an exclusionary experience, where everyone dresses up and smokes cigars onboard. But in terms of consumer choice and the range of experiences that one can have, I think this is the golden age of air travel.
For that matter, if you’re willing to foot the bill, I’d argue that premium travel is more comfortable and luxurious than ever before, all things considered.
Bottom line
While there’s much talk about how great flying used to be back in the day, it typically strikes me as very selective memory. Flying used to only be for the wealthy, and was no doubt a special experience. But as flying has become more accessible, widespread, and safe, I’d argue that consumers have more choice than ever before, and they can pick their experience.
It’s not like flying sucks across the board. I’d argue that premium cabin travel is largely better than it was in the “golden age.” It’s just that flying has become more readily available, which leads to people complaining about the current state of things, while booking the most basic product and paying 10% of what they would’ve paid back in the day (adjusted for inflation).
I don’t think most people flying Emirates first class sit there thinking “boy, this sucks, I miss the golden age” of flying, even though the pricing for that is probably most comparable to the cost of flying back in the day.
Where do you stand on the “golden age” of air travel myth, and what do you think the best era has actually been for flying?
Certainly were better, simpler, more glamorous times. I really remember as a kid napping on the couch in the JAL 747 upper-deck 'garden' lounge; the stewardess in a full kimono; came and gave me a basket full of toys! Then having Muhammad Ali, do magic tricks for me and and sister; at Tokyo airport.
I think we have to differentiate between the golden age of premium class travel vs. the golden age of economy class travel. We are certainly living in the golden age of first/business travel but the golden age of economy travel had ended by the early 2000s.
Man, it's an interesting question to ponder. As someone who is still under 30 years a lot, I really don't have a lot to go off... but my 2cents would be as follows (from not having lived in many of these).
- "Golden Age" I almost feel like insinuates that it's wealthy or a rare experience, so I'm kind of fine saying the 50's/60's/70's were that. It was so rare and exclusive that it...
Man, it's an interesting question to ponder. As someone who is still under 30 years a lot, I really don't have a lot to go off... but my 2cents would be as follows (from not having lived in many of these).
- "Golden Age" I almost feel like insinuates that it's wealthy or a rare experience, so I'm kind of fine saying the 50's/60's/70's were that. It was so rare and exclusive that it frankly was a different experience than it is today, and that won't come back.
- To your point Ben, today is certainly a golden age in terms of amenities, spaces, lounges, etc. The AA Chelsea Lounge, United Polaris, D1, absolutely destroys any lounge that came from prior generations - and even regular Admirals Clubs are a huge step up from what they were 20 years ago.
- Similarly, the inflight product is way better. The US airlines do a great job with hard product on International Business seats, and North American F seats (while not perfect) are much better than nearly all other continents / regions in the world.
- With that said, the loyalty opportunities we saw in the mid 2010's are just shattered. The product you're upgrading to, the lounge you're using, is way better, but so much harder to get into. I started being an elite member on Alaska in 2019 and still feel as though Gold then (not that long ago!) is as good if not better than the AA EP I am now (not in a hub for either).
I think it's always a give and take based off the era's... 2000's was lots of room, comeptition, and loyalty... 2010's was great loyalty operations and more technology... 2020's is bad loyalty, small room, but if you pay a premium you recieve a premium.
I would say that for the most part The Golden Age of Travel was more about the civility of it all. Airports were not overcrowded and easy to navigate, employees were kind and professional, passengers were civil and treated the environment with respect on board. As well, as an aficionado of Golden Age memorabilia and photos, you could argue that the premium class food was far superior and presented with more flair, even compared to...
I would say that for the most part The Golden Age of Travel was more about the civility of it all. Airports were not overcrowded and easy to navigate, employees were kind and professional, passengers were civil and treated the environment with respect on board. As well, as an aficionado of Golden Age memorabilia and photos, you could argue that the premium class food was far superior and presented with more flair, even compared to EK F.
It was just a more gentile age of travel altogether.
Nevermind all that, there used to be smoking onboard. I can't imagine how miserable that would be.
As a Korean living in Seoul, I think that now is the best time to fly. First of all, the Korean government had banned all unnecessary international travel up until 1989; flying internationally was not an option for most Koreans during the so-called Golden Era. Moreover, Korean Air had abysmal safety records during the 80s and 90s; they lost nearly ten 747s during those years.
Last but not least, almost every European route was not...
As a Korean living in Seoul, I think that now is the best time to fly. First of all, the Korean government had banned all unnecessary international travel up until 1989; flying internationally was not an option for most Koreans during the so-called Golden Era. Moreover, Korean Air had abysmal safety records during the 80s and 90s; they lost nearly ten 747s during those years.
Last but not least, almost every European route was not direct due to the Soviet Union. KE had some quite interesting routings to Europe, such as SEL-BKK-JED-ZRH or SEL-ANC-CDG, which took ages. I remember Air France serving four meals (!) en route from Seoul to Paris via Anchorage. But I’d never go back to those days!
For those old enough to remember the real golden days of travel and comedy ….
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=xOeDM3FSnpI
It is totally an illusion. Those smoky, nasty old cabins had no privacy or class. Just a bigger chair and older, whiter people.
…. Gaurav, could you be another incarnation of the racist Eskimo?
The tradeoffs are better seats and entertainment versus opulent service in the sixties and seventies. I still remember Pan Am served large tins of "Beluga caviar from the Caspian Seas" versus the farm raised stuff served in international First Class on airlines today. But, the biggest benefit was fewer people. That translated into space. Even in Economy planes where rarely full. l
Flying during the 60's thru 70's was the best world wide, including the US before De-Regulation in the United States with all airlines. Most international travel outside the US is still glamorous. Once you enter the US and travel within the 50 States.....it's just an uncomortable seat to get you from point A to point B with lack of services. Yes fares are cheaper, but even paying for a first class seat in the US...
Flying during the 60's thru 70's was the best world wide, including the US before De-Regulation in the United States with all airlines. Most international travel outside the US is still glamorous. Once you enter the US and travel within the 50 States.....it's just an uncomortable seat to get you from point A to point B with lack of services. Yes fares are cheaper, but even paying for a first class seat in the US gets you a little bigger bag of pretzels and a free alcoholic drink. Also the US Airline CEO's is having a meeting today with US Transportation Secretary Duffy to roll back customer protections.
Excellent article, fully agree.
maybe the "good ol' days" is the 80s and 90s.
Also back in the day basically all transatlantic flights were done using narrowbodies DC-8 and 707 it was not until 1970 when the 747 arrived. Todays jets are more comfortable quieter cabins, better AC filters (air quality), ride smoother with more flexible wings, lower cabin pressurization (787, A350) ect.
My nostalgia goes further back. I'd give a lot for a chance to hop Pacific islands on a clipper. Yeah, loud, slow, and unsafe, but it must have been an amazing experience back then.
I started flying in 1994 for a well known European flag carrier.
At the time we had incredible terms and conditions and earned incredible money for the job we were doing.
We stayed in the best hotels, passengers behaved in a respectful way to one another. We had loads of time off, whether it be in cities we were flying to, or back at home after trips.
The thing is, we didn't know how good...
I started flying in 1994 for a well known European flag carrier.
At the time we had incredible terms and conditions and earned incredible money for the job we were doing.
We stayed in the best hotels, passengers behaved in a respectful way to one another. We had loads of time off, whether it be in cities we were flying to, or back at home after trips.
The thing is, we didn't know how good we had it - at the time. Looking back now, of course we are all like OMG THOSE were the glamour years.
But in a sense we also worked much harder on board. Especially in economy. Going through the entire economy cabin of a 747 with a choice of OJ or water cuplets. Handing out menus. Hot towels!
It was certainly different. Little things that we still laugh about now. The smoking onboard. Crew drinking booze on board. The scandalous things we used to do on layovers when no one had camera phones or social media. How enormous queues formed at the toilets on board when the movie finished (everyone watched the same movie so everyone finished the movie at the same time).
TBH I am torn whether I prefer things then, or now.
RE Juice and water cuplets - we would hand them out before take off. As a pre departure drink in economy.
As the saying goes - if only we knew we were in the good old days when we were in them!
This sort of nostalgia seems like a general issue these days, not just about air travel. People think life was better in a different period but forget that there were so many things that were much worse. Just a form of confirmation bias, I think. If you spend your life feeling like all the best things in life are in the past, you are the one missing out.
And yet people think that life 30+ years ago was much easier than today.
Don't eat the memberberries!
The only way to avoid nostalgia is by providing a version of the present that works for most. And the problem is that there isn't one.
Much like the Republican fascination with the 1950s, it's mostly an issue of people today taking the advertising of yesteryear at face value IMO. Some things may have been marginally better, but so many things were far far worse.
Republican fascination with a particular age is not the 1950's in America. It's the 1930's in Germany. Vastly different.
Late 1960s and 1970s was best. Regulate fares - your ticket was like cash - you could hand it another airline and switch flights, immediately. Airlines competed on service since there was only two fares F and Y. You choose airlines based on service - like Five Star etc. FA were younger then and it was all about service.
Turbos (pre jet) for all A class. My dad always brought home gifts from the...
Late 1960s and 1970s was best. Regulate fares - your ticket was like cash - you could hand it another airline and switch flights, immediately. Airlines competed on service since there was only two fares F and Y. You choose airlines based on service - like Five Star etc. FA were younger then and it was all about service.
Turbos (pre jet) for all A class. My dad always brought home gifts from the flight - on the 10 hours Electra flights coast to coast.
1970s saw the 747's and DC10s with lounges Coast to Coast. First jet flight in 1968 on DC8 was BWI - DEN - flights were F - $105 OW and Y - $89 OW - UA and CO flew the route. Y was sold out so I had to pay the extra $16 for . So $200 RT was expensiver back then. Flew IAD-SFO on TWA many times starting 1970 on 747, Y fares were about $280 RT - 55 years ago. I can buy a ticket at almost that price today. And incomes are 50 times what you made back then.
Yes - better seats, etc on international flights - but not the same level of service. Yes the cigarette smoke - UA used to give passengers silver cigarette lighters as gifts. Lounges were much more exclusive - by invitation. Peole dressed up in Coat and tie. I always wore ties on flights through mid 1980s.
Trade offs, I guess....
It was far more glamorous and exclusive, especially in the 60s and 70s. You sure didn't see Spirit airlines style brawls like now; everyone dressed up to fly. The meals were great, the seats roomy, and the stewardesses gorgeous (yes, I know....how chauvinistic). But, it was very expensive back then. Oh the services were great. And you had all these cool regional airlines who tried to outdo one another while each...
Trade offs, I guess....
It was far more glamorous and exclusive, especially in the 60s and 70s. You sure didn't see Spirit airlines style brawls like now; everyone dressed up to fly. The meals were great, the seats roomy, and the stewardesses gorgeous (yes, I know....how chauvinistic). But, it was very expensive back then. Oh the services were great. And you had all these cool regional airlines who tried to outdo one another while each being unique in their own way.
Deregulation put a slow end to all this. But, it also enabled most people to finally fly and to get around. Back when I was quite small, I was one of the few kids in my class to have flown (and I did that many times). But, even for me, the idea of flying to Europe was not even considered....even though you could get there faster than you can now. It was prohibitively expensive. No longer true. Now there are more options to go anywhere. Planes are uncomfortable and can give your DVT; but you're also a lot safer and have more nonstop or 1 stop options than before, when routes were sometimes like bus lines. We went from complimentary gourmet food (in economy) to buy on board dreck.
All in all, it depends on how you look at it.
Carly Simon sang, "These are the good old days." I think you savor the moment you're in. I wouldn't want to go back to the hard product of the past -- Pan Am first or BA Concorde -- today truly is a Golden Age of hard product. But, I would say the soft product / service / vibe of the past was exceptional.
"today truly is a Golden Age of hard product" pretty much applies mostly to Business and First passengers of premium carriers. Not so much to the rest.
The economy seat market is dominated by Recaro. Their torture devices ruined the reputation of economy.
On safety alone, I wouldn't want to go backward in time.
Pan Am was an absolute disaster of an airline as far as safety and training were concerned. The CAB/FAA investigated them several times for inadequate training. They were crashing 707s just about any island you could crash into for awhile.... much of it pilot error. Serious lack of CRM - the senior Captains were gods. The airline had a few growth spurts then...
On safety alone, I wouldn't want to go backward in time.
Pan Am was an absolute disaster of an airline as far as safety and training were concerned. The CAB/FAA investigated them several times for inadequate training. They were crashing 707s just about any island you could crash into for awhile.... much of it pilot error. Serious lack of CRM - the senior Captains were gods. The airline had a few growth spurts then settled where there were many pilot downgrades in rank or stuck as a F/O for a decade. Minimum rest... fly all day, 8 hour sleep, then fly all night, 8 hour sleep, fly all afternoon/evening. That's how they went round the world... At one point, Pan Am had new hire first officers giving checkrides to senior Captains.
I'll take today's cheaper product with more options any day with an almost certainty of arriving to my destination without being horribly maimed or gased to death by noxious fumes from smoldering cabin furnishings.
I agree. But I think improvements in safety in many areas have come off the back of learning from previous incidents.
When an incident happens, investigators work out what went wrong, highlight the issues and things change.
Which is most worrying about some issues these days like the Chinese air safety regulator refusing do reveal the details of the recent-ish crash that happened on a domestic flight. How can systems/processes be improved?
pre-9/11. free alcohol on international flights, you could smoke in the back of the plane and relaxed security.
Aside from dealing with cigarrette smoke, which of course was everywhere not just planes, there was no technology. You had to call a human being to make a reservation and what information you got was naturally limited. While you had no TSA to deal with you had to get to the airport early to stand in line for a seat assignment and boarding pass. Get there later you might only have middle seats available if...
Aside from dealing with cigarrette smoke, which of course was everywhere not just planes, there was no technology. You had to call a human being to make a reservation and what information you got was naturally limited. While you had no TSA to deal with you had to get to the airport early to stand in line for a seat assignment and boarding pass. Get there later you might only have middle seats available if it was a crowded flight, albeit that was fairly rare.
You had no app to give you information. You were reliant upon airport staff. Again, no shortage of people today that still only rely upon an overworked, harried agent to rebook them or provide information. On the flip side, with far less flights delays were rarer than today.
Even with the drawback of no technology, on whole air travel was far more pleasurable albeit with cigarrete smoke.
Modern planes are superior in every way, I can’t think of anything else than loud, uncomfortable and poorly pressurized planes when people speak of the «golden age of jet travel»
You're thinking of piston engine props. The 707s, 727s, 747s of the 60s, 70s, 80s were great aircraft; solid and stable; built with incredible quality. Some still fly today. They were perfectly well pressurized. And they didn't recycle the air as much, so you actually had more fresh air flow - which you needed because of the smoking. True, safety wasn't what it is now. No CRM existed (hadn't been invented yet). And some aircraft...
You're thinking of piston engine props. The 707s, 727s, 747s of the 60s, 70s, 80s were great aircraft; solid and stable; built with incredible quality. Some still fly today. They were perfectly well pressurized. And they didn't recycle the air as much, so you actually had more fresh air flow - which you needed because of the smoking. True, safety wasn't what it is now. No CRM existed (hadn't been invented yet). And some aircraft (the DC-10 comes to mind) weren't the safest yet still not statistically dangerous either. Your odds of dying in a crash were still tiny back when I was a kid - just not as tiny as now. Which is a great thing.
@Lucky:
"Never mind that it wasn’t as safe." - Life in general wasn't as safe: cars weren't as safe and medical care was neither as advanced nor as safe as it is today but that's the benefit of time and experience.
"..flying was also way more expensive" - I don't remember it as being all that expensive. In the late '70s I'd just enlisted in the military as a lowly E-3 and I could afford...
@Lucky:
"Never mind that it wasn’t as safe." - Life in general wasn't as safe: cars weren't as safe and medical care was neither as advanced nor as safe as it is today but that's the benefit of time and experience.
"..flying was also way more expensive" - I don't remember it as being all that expensive. In the late '70s I'd just enlisted in the military as a lowly E-3 and I could afford to fly pretty much whenever I was able (30 days leave per year) and on short notice as well, albeit in coach. I can't even remember how much a flight was from California back east, so it must not have been much.
"..unlike back in the day, consumers now have choice." - I can't agree that a Hobson's choice is really a choice; choosing between several piles of steaming doggy-doo isn't really a choice.
My strongest memory of the good old days was how casual it was with fellow flyers being relaxed and friendly and the FAs always pleasant and happy to be there.
To be honest, for me, the peak age was the 90s in air travel. Little to no airport security theater, extremely spacious seats, banning of smoking, nicer cabin crew, having access to the flight deck to meet the pilots inflight, and many more interesting aircraft (747s, 767s, 777s, A340, DC-10s, MD-11s, L-1011s, DC-9s, MD-88, and so many more).
Think about so many airlines that were great to fly on in those days but have either...
To be honest, for me, the peak age was the 90s in air travel. Little to no airport security theater, extremely spacious seats, banning of smoking, nicer cabin crew, having access to the flight deck to meet the pilots inflight, and many more interesting aircraft (747s, 767s, 777s, A340, DC-10s, MD-11s, L-1011s, DC-9s, MD-88, and so many more).
Think about so many airlines that were great to fly on in those days but have either merged (TWA, Northwest, Continental et al.) or have declined (most carriers except those in the Gulf and parts of Asia).
Airline liveries were also nice too, and there were some iconic airports like Kai Tak. There was just something aspirational about air travel in that decade. The current era, despite some positives of course, is a pathetic excuse for an air travel experience.
Sorry, but disagree on many counts. For one thing, security theatre still existed - it just wasn't as dramatic as we see now. Try flying before the early 70s when you just hopped aboard with your ticket. Of course, hijackers did too. Seats were roomier than today, but not as roomy as they were in the 60s-70's and 80's. Smoking was banned on shorter domestic flights in 1990 (which was a relief) but still existed...
Sorry, but disagree on many counts. For one thing, security theatre still existed - it just wasn't as dramatic as we see now. Try flying before the early 70s when you just hopped aboard with your ticket. Of course, hijackers did too. Seats were roomier than today, but not as roomy as they were in the 60s-70's and 80's. Smoking was banned on shorter domestic flights in 1990 (which was a relief) but still existed in longer haul internation flights). And, you already missed the best food - even in coach - people dressing up to fly, and stewardesses that looked like models while being as nice as could be.
The 60s and 70s were the peak years, compared with them, the 90s were about 1/3 of the way down the hill.
I agree with Jay - 90's had minimal security, cheap flights to more destinations and NO CELL PHONES!!
70s and earlier it was too expensive and post 9/11 (at airports in particular) the whole experience is bad.
Sleeping in a lie-flat and the multitude of reviews available to guide selection is the only good thing about modern flying.
I agree that security did exist, but it was only for the most basic checks. Nothing like how we see with liquids being restricted, shoes being removed (although that is now ending belatedly), and the general sense of fear and low patience that runs rampant through air travel and the rest of society. I mean, look at how many times we deal with rude agents or officers, as well as the occasions we hear about...
I agree that security did exist, but it was only for the most basic checks. Nothing like how we see with liquids being restricted, shoes being removed (although that is now ending belatedly), and the general sense of fear and low patience that runs rampant through air travel and the rest of society. I mean, look at how many times we deal with rude agents or officers, as well as the occasions we hear about rage incidents onboard. The Pre 9/11 had its imperfections at times, but nowadays basic norms of decency and kindness are hard to find.
There are still some aircrafts with extremely spacious seats even in economy: A380s, 3-3-3 B777s and A220s.
But still, nothing like the aircraft of that age. And 3-3-3 777s are fewer and far between compared to even 8-10 years back. A few exist in Asia, but that's about it. Now, your typical 777 experience (even on the older -200 aircraft) in economy is to be packed like sardines in a 10 abreast layout.
Probably the only thing improved is the IFE (not that I'm much of an IFE watcher myself. Only the map, that's all).
727s were pretty cool too.
Making flying more financially available to everyone is not a good thing. It comes with entitlement and snobbery. It comes with people who can't even bother to get dressed or wear MAGA hats just to stir controversy.
I flew a lot as a kid and my family was neither rich or wealthy. And I mainly flew during the summer when school was out.
The golden age of flying has more to do with...
Making flying more financially available to everyone is not a good thing. It comes with entitlement and snobbery. It comes with people who can't even bother to get dressed or wear MAGA hats just to stir controversy.
I flew a lot as a kid and my family was neither rich or wealthy. And I mainly flew during the summer when school was out.
The golden age of flying has more to do with the PEOPLE and not the PRODUCT. People made flying a pleasure. From the flight attendants to the gate agents to the customers. Not anymore.
Your family certainly had been wealthy by global standards. A quick Google search says that at least 3 out of 4 people on the planet have never travelled by air- that's a 2025 statistic, not a 1989 one!
That doesn't represent that 75% of people didn't fly because of cost lol. Other factors may have been fear of flying or other modes of suitable transportation such as trains, buses or by boat.
You do know that most people are scared of escalators and elevators even today right?
Not sure whether you're being serious here. According to the ITA Matrix, the cheapest one-way economy class ticket from Nairobi to Addis Ababa (well under two hours in the air) within the month of October costs €400. If you're desperate, you might be able to save about €100 by flying via CAI, a journey that takes more than 24 hours in total. The nominal per capita GDP of Kenya, which isn't even among the 20...
Not sure whether you're being serious here. According to the ITA Matrix, the cheapest one-way economy class ticket from Nairobi to Addis Ababa (well under two hours in the air) within the month of October costs €400. If you're desperate, you might be able to save about €100 by flying via CAI, a journey that takes more than 24 hours in total. The nominal per capita GDP of Kenya, which isn't even among the 20 poorest African countries, is just €2,100- in other words, the price of that ticket corresponds to over 2 months' average income. Yes, it must be fear of flying that pushes people away from aviation and into the various sept-places and matatus.
Those that are ready to pay the (inflation adjusted) fares that they used to can still access luxury far in excess of what they did in the "golden age".
Today's Business and First Class products are beyond the imagination of any passenger from even 30 years ago. Its simply that Economy Class has become more "a la carte" service as the baseline prices have reduced.
Controversial take - we are actually living in the golden age of air travel right now.
I agree with your controversial take. I would add that connectivity is an often overlooked feature of flying today. It's possible to go from virtually any mid-sized or larger city to another anywhere in the world in no more than two stops. And you'll have a choice in airlines when doing so! You couldn't say that not too long ago.
This is the correct answer, shouldn't be controversial at all.
€1500 or so, maybe two weeks' worth of average post-tax wages, gets you from Western Europe to the Far East and back in lie-flat seats, usually with edible food, a selection of drinks, an optional stopover thrown in at no extra cost, and even a fair few miles to use on your next trip. I've not mentioned IFE as I only ever use the moving...
This is the correct answer, shouldn't be controversial at all.
€1500 or so, maybe two weeks' worth of average post-tax wages, gets you from Western Europe to the Far East and back in lie-flat seats, usually with edible food, a selection of drinks, an optional stopover thrown in at no extra cost, and even a fair few miles to use on your next trip. I've not mentioned IFE as I only ever use the moving map, but I understand that's often pretty good too.
Whoever thinks that sort of thing had been possible for an equivalent amount of money in the 1990s, let alone before that, is simply out of touch with the world.
I agree 100%. I’m in my 60’s and anyone younger than me didn’t fly during the so-called golden age of travel. And the memory of us old folks appears to be highly selective of what it was like. Did they carve a joint of beef on a transatlantic flight in 1975? Sure in First Class but you sat in what today would be a seat worse than Premium Economy and paid 10 times as much....
I agree 100%. I’m in my 60’s and anyone younger than me didn’t fly during the so-called golden age of travel. And the memory of us old folks appears to be highly selective of what it was like. Did they carve a joint of beef on a transatlantic flight in 1975? Sure in First Class but you sat in what today would be a seat worse than Premium Economy and paid 10 times as much. Was there a flat bed? Absolutely not. Folks forget that if you wanted to take your family to Florida by plane in 1975 to go to Disney World, it meant leaving at Midnight and changing planes twice as the Civil Aeronautics Board allowed cheaper flights in the wee hours of the morning.
I've had this discussion many times and I'm also in the camp of we're currently in the golden age of air travel. Would I have loved to have expereince a PanAm 747 back in the day? Yes. Do I think that's better than having a shower on Emirates or a Suite on Singapore with a separate bed? No.
As you mentioned, I think the argument people make for it is too often one focused on...
I've had this discussion many times and I'm also in the camp of we're currently in the golden age of air travel. Would I have loved to have expereince a PanAm 747 back in the day? Yes. Do I think that's better than having a shower on Emirates or a Suite on Singapore with a separate bed? No.
As you mentioned, I think the argument people make for it is too often one focused on the experience of first class then while expecting to pay the price of economy now. For people willing (and able) to pay for flying back then, you could fly first class today and still have money in your pocket when you adjust for the fares into today's dollars.
Add to that that planes are quieter and better pressurized today, and there are more routes taking you more places (often non-stop), and it's hard to say that if you could try the two products back-to-back today, adjusted for today's dollars, that anyone would regularly choose the former for anything outside of the novelty of trying it.
I remember when non-passengers could walk you over to the gate and meet you right before baggage claim, being able to sit in the jump seat, mixing and matching your own meals buffet style, and don't forget comfort even in economy!
I remember being blocked by non-pax in the terminal meeting an arriving plane as I tried to get through to my connection. They had no concept they were blocking exiting pax. I'm happy non-pax are prevented from doing that today.
Great post. Well said. Seems it isn’t possible to have your cake and eat it too, no matter how much we wish it were
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ngknx7Wag80
In the old day, Pan Am was the best. Those who were actually in the industry at the time will tell you so.
Lee, in my experience of Pan Am, they could never have been describe as “The best”. One only set foot on a Pan Am aircraft when there was no viable alternative to return to the right side of the pond.