Vintage photos show how glamorous flying was in the 1950s

Updated

• Vintage photos from Boeing's archive show the golden age of air travel in the 1950s.
• Flight attendants served meals on china plates, passengers relaxed in lounges on the plane, and most seats turned into sleeping berths. 

In our modern world, it's easy to forget how cool flying actually is.

But people didn't take flying for granted in the 1950s, when air travel was still new and exciting.

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In that era, flight attendants served in-flight meals on fine china plates with proper cutlery, passengers could stretch their legs in lounges on the plane, and even sleep in seats that converted into beds.

We dug through Boeing's digital archives and found some fascinating photos that show what flying was like 60 years ago.

Like fashion, planes have changed a lot since the 1950s.

In the 1950s, the Douglas DC-6 was the most affordable type of commercial airplane. Boeing

However, the layout of a typical commercial jet is still relatively similar.

This plane features a lie-flat bed. Boeing

Though the seats do appear to be roomier.

The inside of this plane cabin was designed with fabric coverings over the sidewalls, ceiling, and floor, to muffle sound. Boeing

Especially in the main passenger cabin, which could seat 18 people.

The seats could be lowered into nine double sleeping berths; another nine single sleeping berths could be lowered from overhead. Boeing

In addition to reclinable seats, planes featured overhead sleeping berths.

Curtains allowed for privacy. Boeing

Sleeping berths could just be popped open from the overhead compartments.

They could easily be opened and closed. Boeing

Overnight flights were certainly more comfortable.

It's unclear whether airlines supplied dressing gowns. Boeing

Passengers could stretch their legs away from their seats in a downstairs lounge area.

This lounge area is on a 377 Stratocruiser jet. Boeing

This lounge was furnished in soft colors, which were meant to help passengers' eyes adjust to light.

Fabric was used to drown out loud sound. Boeing

Back at their seats, everyone had their head in a book or magazine.

No iPads to be found here. Boeing

Passengers enjoyed greater legroom in spacious cabins with wide seats.

With more legroom, reclining seats wouldn't have bothered the person behind you. Boeing

In the control cabin, crew would control the cabin's altitude conditions, including temperature.

The control area had enough space for multiple crew members at one time. Boeing

Flight attendants used to prepare pre-cooked in-flight meals in the galley, working at a rate of 24 meals in 18 minutes.

Food was kept refrigerated in dry ice and heated up in electric ovens. Boeing

A bonus: planes had full bars, which looked pretty well-equipped.

Real glasses — not plastic cups — were used for drinks. Boeing

See more vintage photos of plane food in the 1950s here »

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