How air travel has changed in the last 100 years
30 ways life on board has changed

More people are flying than ever before

The 5-star treatment on board is no more

Economy class didn't exist before the 1950s and all passengers were treated to a luxury in-flight experience. Meals, complimentary magazines and drinks were provided, and flight attendants would even recline the seats of dozing travellers. Today, if you want this kind of luxury you need to buy your way into the First Class cabin. Here are a few we'd save up for.
There were no budget airlines

You could smoke on board

The alcohol was free-flowing

Life on board was one big party

You could visit the cockpit

You never went hungry

There's no more fancy cabin interior design

There were more home comforts

There was plenty of space

Flights could be up to 12 days long

The whole plane watched a movie together

In 1925, silent movie The Lost World became the one of the first blockbusters to be shown in the air. It involved a whole lot of equipment and passengers had to crane their necks to watch a single screen. In-flight movies weren't commonplace until the 1960s when Trans World Airlines showed drama Love Possessed.
You could sleep in comfort

You were presented with a postcard after take-off

There was a dress code

Turbulence could get pretty bad

Flight safety regulations weren't as strict

There used to be "hostesses"

Crashes were more frequent

You didn't have to arrive so early

Baggage claim was a lengthy affair

You could pass through security even if you weren't travelling

You could take on as many bags as you wanted

You could take anything on board

We've moved on from piston to jet planes

We can now travel almost anywhere by air

You'll meet more computers than people at today's airports

Today's in-flight entertainment is all about technology too

Airports are destinations in themselves

The airports of yesteryear had one main purpose: to see travellers safely on board their flights. Today airports are filled with shops and restaurants, and a whole host of other activities like yoga classes and ice skating to combat pre-flight boredom. Here are a few of our favourites. Loved this? Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for more travel inspiration.
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