18 Vintage Photos From The Glory Days of Aviation

Although flying today is cheaper, safer, and faster than it's ever been, it's becoming an increasingly unpleasant experience as airlines cram more passengers into planes, causing overcrowding and delays. It's enough to make travelers wish f or the golden age of aviation. We found vintage photos from 1946 to 1970, sourced from Iberia, KLM, Delta, British Airways and Air France, that show just how glamorous flying used to be. 1. We're grateful that smoking is no longer permitted on planes, but we can't deny this guy's got style. 2. With today's lie-flat beds in first and business class, not all that much has changed since 1949 on a KLM flight. 3. Seats on Delta have definitely shrunk since 1959. 4. Bunk beds (on KLM), however, we'd love to see making a comeback. 5. Extra pillow service was a nice touch. 6. Instead of staring into screens, kids would get a geography lesson — at least on this Iberia flight. 7. Plane food was made fresh on KLM in 1958, and even hand-delivered by the chef. Is that caviar? 8. Meals were decadent on this British Airways flight in the '60s. 9. BA flight attendants even hand-carved entire hams. 10. Rather than prepackaged in tin foil, steak was cut seat-side. 11. The whole set up was just really social on this 1971 KLM flight. Comparatively, flying today is like being on an airborne bus. 12. People played cards! 13. Hopefully you knew your fellow travelers, otherwise this set up could be pretty awkward. 14. These are Iberia's airline "hostesses." They're not flight attendants, and certainly not stewardesses. 15. This 1946 Iberia uniform, on the other hand, has something vaguely nautical about it. 16. Delta's colorful summer uniforms in the late '60s really capture the essence of the time. 16. This cute little number, worn in 1967, was known as British Airways' (then still the British Overseas Airways Corporation) "paper dress." Credits: businessinsider.com Share this story on Facebook with your friends. Related: Photos Of Vintage Bullet Bras Will Make You Question 1940s And 50s Fashion Vintage Oprah Like You’ve Never Seen Her