The Golden Age of Commercial Flying: A Time of Luxury and Glamour

The golden age of flying, from the late 1940s to the 1970s, was a remarkable period in aviation history. This era captured the world’s imagination, embodying adventure, innovation, and aspiration.

Air travel during this time was a symbol of prestige and luxury – an experience that was worlds apart from what we have today.

Historian Graham M. Simons reflects on the golden age of air travel, saying, “It was luxurious. It was smooth. And it was fast.” Passengers were treated like royalty, with spacious seating, cocktail lounges, five-course meals, and endless champagne. People dressed up for their flights, and airline staff donned haute couture uniforms. Imagine having more legroom in a plane with seat pitches of 36 to 40 inches compared to the cramped 28 inches we have today.

Unlike today, where booking a flight is a breeze, flying during the golden age was a luxury reserved for the wealthy. Aviation history expert Guillaume de Syon explains that flight prices were four to five times higher than what we pay today. A return ticket on a relatively short journey, like Chicago to Phoenix, would cost around $1,200 in today’s currency. Only the fortunate few could experience the luxury of flying.