When air tickets prices were regulated, so airlines had to compete on providing services, not price.

You have to remember, those earlier airline's were in the buisness of replacing ocean liners and luxury trains! So the formality is explainable!

Great video! I really enjoyed seeing the footage of how things used to be. I was born in 1974 and didn't take my first plane ride until around 1990, long past the glory days of flying. I'd love to see something about car travel in the "olden days." I'm sure it was much different then than it is now.

I loved flying on Wardair in the 60s.....very classy and great service.

I would love this ! Doing Azamara this July! Hope it doesn’t disappoint. I am dressing to the 9’s!!

Love this!! I always dress for flights, I get lots of compliments! Most people have in pajamas and “ cleaning out the garage “ clothes, sadly!

Now, the airlines don’t need to impress or fight for customers. Darn shame it is now so lousy. You make a reservation which should include your seat, but not now, the seat is extra. Quite a bit extra. Also, one carry on only. Flying is no longer a pleasure

Well done video! Makes one sad ….

Now go and enjoy your peanuts and dry, boring cereals in a box on first class AA from Lax to Mia at only 1200$ 😂

It's actually a bit interesting when you look at flying back in say the 70's and 80's to now. Fore example, economy wasn't as cramped as it is today, BUT flying back then was somewhat prohibitively expensive whereas these days you can fly from Chicago to say Las Vegas for $50 on some airlines (if you don't mind the very basic economy class experience). That same trip may have cost you a few hundred dollars back 40 years ago, but you may have had a wider seat and more leg room (so basically economy back 40 years ago is more like enhanced economy is today which you usually have to pay extra for, but is probably still cheaper -- when adjusted for inflation -- than it used to be 40 years ago).

Fabulosity has been added to our vocabulary. So please thank the legendary, Mrs Ritzy

People were classy and genteel unlike the karens that fly today

You do know most of these were staged propaganda videos put out to convince people to fly. There is no way that huge spread could be served in turbulence. Notice no seat belts? Those planes were noisy, bumpy, full of smoke, and sometimes cold.

Having been flying starting in the 1950s and then worked in aero space. The service was great back then, but the equipment was terrible. Food was usually junk unless you were in 1st class. The stewardesses were usually beautiful and treated me, as boy, wonderful.

When smoking was permitted on airlines and no one could breathe …….

My first flight was in 1960, I was 7 and with my father, mother and 2 brothers, aged 3 and 9 months old. We flew from Detroit to Los Angeles, my father had a new job and we were moving. My baby brother was crying most of the way, but the stewardesses were always smiling and helpful. They even gave my 3 year old brother a pin with a set of wings on it. He was thrilled.

Now we are all just cattle, what I miss the most are the tickets

So basically they only had first class / international business class.

Worked for American in the 1960s, and always traveled first class. Stewardesses had to adhere to strict weight and grooming requirements. They dressed beautifully, and with class. The passengers also dressed appropriately, as if they were going to a first-class restaurant. No dragging your suitcases onboard either. Luggage was checked which made boarding and deboarding so much quicker and more pleasurable. American had a superb meal service in first-class called the Captain's Table on long-haul flights, it was a real treat. Wish we could go back to these days of true civility.

In October of 1956, as a six year old child, I flew with my late mother and eleven year old sister from London to Central Africa, on a B.O.A.C. Lockheed Constellation...Dad was already in Africa, then. I remember my late mother shopping for a " Travelling Outfit". Two piece navy blue suit(jacket and skirt), blue polka dot blouse on white. White straw hat with navy band, white gloves, of course. White handbag and navy and white shoes with a "sensible" heel. Now, even in First Class, some noveau riche wear trainers, torn jeans and stained T shirts...A sad testament to the passing of the "Age of Elegance"...!! ...

Those were the days without fast food.

Just watched the plane video and had to pop over here. I started cruising in '11 and while I love it, I always longed for that old feeling of sailing "back in the day" . In '19 I booked a trans-Atlantic on the QM2. Blew me away. Yes, it's more modern, and probably not as "glitzy" as the Queens of the 30's, but it was an amazing experience. Seeing the Statue of Liberty at 4am was an emotional experience, thinking of the millions of people who came to the States to start a new life. I still enjoy cruising, sucking down my Bahama Mama on the deck of the Elation in Cozumel or Nassau, but I'm booked for trans-Atlantic number 4 on the Queen. It's just a whole different and wonderful experience being at sea that I truly treasure and am grateful for being able to do.

I think what gets missed is that flying in the 50’s when you had sleeper berths was 100% first class equivalent. By the time you get to the Jet age yes the food is still amazing and you have those lounges on 747s but your seat even on the longest flights is a recliner not a flat bed. Now what’s International First Class like today? You have dedicated lounges in many cases that serve amazing food and have extensive drink menus all complimentary. On board you still have caviar and a delicious multi course meals and free drinks. Yes the service flow looks a bit different but that’s a reflection of changing times. The big advantage is today you get a seat that transforms into a lie flat bed often with a door to make it a more private. That’s a HUGE step forward over the early days of the jet age. Today we don’t just have one movie on a projection screen we have a large screen at every seat with hundreds of entertainment choices. In seat power and usually wifi. In my view when you consider the product offerings, jet speed, all the extra amenities this is the true Golden age of air travel. And thanks to credit cards and the abilities to earn miles and points even normal people can hope to enjoy a chance at flying in the lap of luxury.

We're on her in April...can't wait!

I worked at JFK airport in 1970, filling the galleys with food & drink, even for the brand new 747's! The meals that I delivered, ( admittedly, for tourist class) were more like fancy "t.v. dinners", than what is shown in this video! These films were almost certainly 'staged promos", with paid actors! Yes, earlier, prop planes had more luxury, i.e. seat room, better food, etc., but took at least twice as long & cost 5 to 10 times as much! It wasn't worth the difference!

I have a photo of my mother, my brother and myself arriving at the airport after an overseas flight from Scotland to Toronto back in 1950. My mother has her hat on and is high heels. I was six at the time. I remember we were deaf at the time because of the roaring of the plane and that lasted for days.

Calm down. My gosh how are you impartial and so agitated.

I'm an old bag who remembers fondly much of what the video portrays. Dressing up, good and plentiful food, lounges on long flights, and, yes, unfortunately, smoking. But it WAS glamorous (and fun!) to fly.

What a fantastic video. You have made a great presentation. In the early 80s, as tourists to the USA, we were able to purchase a flight package with American Airlines. It cost us about $450 for virtually unlimited travel over two months. What a way to see America. In those days Domestic travel was comfortable with decent sized seats. There was a full meal service equivalent to what you get on international flights. Probably the biggest difference was that not one of our 30 plus flights were either delayed or cancelled. Those were the days.

Everything is trashy nowadays and caters to the lowest common denominators

How did it all go so wrong?

My first flight was in 1967 when I was 4 on a Mohawk Airlines Convair Utica, NY to NYC. In '71 my dad booked us on a 747 and '72 a DC-10. I remember the lounges, being taken into the cockpit and getting wings, and yes, we went shopping for "flight outfits"... The only thing close to flying today as opposed to then in business/first class. Everything else is being in a flying bus... but... I do have to say, I fly with Southwest occasionally, and even being all "coach"... the experience isn't bad. It's not BA Club World, but not bad...

S/o to RHONJ! They took a cruise to Italy in their second season and it was so magical to me. I can’t wait to go. I love your wife’s outfit I would never think to do a cream turtleneck w white overalls but she looks very chic.

It’s because of your Golden Age cruise video I splurged on some nice clothes for my first cruise in Nov. it’s not the fanciest cruise line but I still want to look my best. I feel like it elevates the experience and when you look good you feel good.

This was very entertaining and brought back a few fun memories. I think I took my first flight as an 8 year old from Columbus, Ohio to Pittsburgh and I don't remember a single thing about it. That was in 1955 and I didn't fly again until the '60's and your segments on the 60's were spot on. I remember the colorful outfits of the "stewardresses" and the fact that I could be in a non-smoking row and the smoking rows started right behind me. That was the worst part of flying then. The '70's were pretty decent with food and lower costs, but, it has steadliy gotten more crowded and less fun unless you pay for at least the Premium Plus economy fare. Thanks for doing these videos, lots of fun.

I remember still smoking on planes in the 1990s.

Bill, I have returned from my trip on MSC!

I remember flying in the 70s. The 747s has a lounge in the top deck which I found to be reasonably quiet an a nice place to have a drink prior to a meal. All of this vaporized when the airlines discovered they could cram more passengers in this area. Service went downhill rapidly after this, especially ground staff where rudeness replaced good manners. This is particularly QANTAS as I have noticed. Will the "old days" come back? Never

Great video 😃. I remember my first flight was with my family 50 years ago at the age of 12 on a Boeing 747 from London to Tenerife. I have been fortunate enough to fly Business Class a few times (pre Covid) although couldn’t afford it now 😱. I prefer to cruise nowadays 🚢

It's not known as the island of eternal spring. It is known as the pearl of the Atlantic!

Dressing up to fly 😂😂😂😂😂 You dress up, I'll wear comfortable clothing.

I flew first class with my mom to Hawaii in 1970 to visit my sister who lived there. We flew Continental airlines over and Pam Am back in the new 747s. As I remember it was a fantastic experience and I did enjoy the upstairs lounge both times.

Very ritzy, I can't even picture it for today, most people look like they just climbed out of bed, cuz it is more comfy. Try being a military brat, you didn't fly civilian, you flew military hops, no service in those!

I do wish people still dressed up the fly. Or some people look like they just climbed out of bed and they smell like it too

What I find the most fascinating is the lack of overweight people back then.

Very nice!!!

I think as you mentioned Bill, time of year and location of cruise would influence my decision to book this style of cabin.

A very enjoyable video, Bill. I love the way people dressed so smartly back then. I really think we need dress codes on planes today. I've seen some really scruffy, dirty people in airports, waiting to board and I feel sorry for the people who will have to sit next to them.

Enjoy the rapport between you and your wife, Bill 😊 Also appreciate level of detail you go in to and the grading at the end.

Bill this was a fabulous window into a glamorous past! I first flew in 1987 within Canada. First intl flight was 1994 on Alitalia and I think they had a smoking section still at back of the plane.