Growing up my parents took my brother and I on many vacations and we always had to wear our best dress suits on the plane. I haven't flown in many years, but from what I have heard it is nothing like the good ole days.
One musn't hurry towards too much flattering; this, after all, is a comercial, but...service and people were very much similar to what is depicted here. I know because I lived through that and it was very much special. As for today...I'd rather not speak.
I remember flying during these "good old days", including on Pan Am. Yep, it really was better, a lot like what is pictured here. What happened? A combination of government regulations, deregulation, corporate greed, increasing fuel prices, etc., AND EVEN US PASSENGERS! We just want to ride a bus. We get on board the aircraft these days with our poor manners and habits, carrying our hollering, undisciplined children. We Americans are usually the worst about this.
I remember getting dressed up but... "no feeling of movement at all" "hardly any sound"? Guess I just imagined throwing up in the little bags they stuffed in every seat back pocket.
The first PanAm B707 never flew directly from USA to Europe. The 707 made stopover at New Foundland for refueling, then took off to Europe. The earlier B707s were skinny and carried less fuel. PanAm requested to enlarge the cabin and increase the volume of fuel tank. Boeing refused but contrary the DC-8 from Douglas did stretch their planes according to the demands. Boeing followed later and stretched B707 which made nonstop transatlantic possible.
I am too young to have traveled like this, but it looks fabulous. These days, an airplane is no different than a bus. The romance, excitement and sense of adventure are no longer in our society, and that is the greatest shame of all. The suits in the boardroom just want to squeeze as much $ out of their passengers as they can. Please the shareholders, not the customer.
GOONE FOREVER!!! Well maybe not in First Class... you all do realize that air travel was so refined at the time because the seats on board were First Class or the equv. of Economy Plus... That being the case, who do you think are going to be buying tickets???
Today airline travel is rife with delays, body searches, security issues. They herd the "grotesque populace" into cramped cabins like sardines. The customers are low-class and behave and dress like slobs. Gone are the beautiful stewardesses that resemble models. The customer was king in those days. Some airlines now charge for a lousy bag of peanuts. When I think of Pan Am I think of what America used to be like. How much we have fallen.
@meg3325 can you imagine dressing up these days, with seats only a child would be comfortable in. Still, I will remember the flight I was on where a guy took his sandals off. Naked feet, nooooooooo....
There's a reason that so many things that used to be "classy", from Airline flight to even the simple smile (and clean presentation) of a McDonald's order-taker: We were once a homogeneous society, for the most part, basically White, with some Black, and "class" and decency, despite the turbulence of outliers, was part of our culture (in the black culture as well). Over the decades, our shared culture has devolved. Take a look around.
@a380j In Brownsville they'll have Clipper jets to Latin America... I don't know if they are doing it or not. But mainly cargo flights then will move on with passenger jet.
Aaaah, yes those were indeed the good old days. Unfortunately those days are long gone. That's why I no longer fly. The last time was in June of 1991. There have been a lot of changes since then. None of them were good.
@justjack78 I can imagine an airliner cabin without any babies cry during flight and well dressed businessman or even the youngsters with formal clothing. Oh my! the food they are serving on the movie looks like heavy meal that you can find only in good steak restaurants!
opening note == extreme ways by moby.
rothkoaintdead 1 day ago
Growing up my parents took my brother and I on many vacations and we always had to wear our best dress suits on the plane. I haven't flown in many years, but from what I have heard it is nothing like the good ole days.
videoaa99 1 week ago
One musn't hurry towards too much flattering; this, after all, is a comercial, but...service and people were very much similar to what is depicted here. I know because I lived through that and it was very much special. As for today...I'd rather not speak.
contrerados 1 month ago
ah yes I remember when smoking was allowed on aeroplanes Now you cant even smoke on the sidewalk !
ZEITGEISTism 1 month ago
I remember flying during these "good old days", including on Pan Am. Yep, it really was better, a lot like what is pictured here. What happened? A combination of government regulations, deregulation, corporate greed, increasing fuel prices, etc., AND EVEN US PASSENGERS! We just want to ride a bus. We get on board the aircraft these days with our poor manners and habits, carrying our hollering, undisciplined children. We Americans are usually the worst about this.
swizzletik 1 month ago
No one wearing flip flops. O yeah, the good old days.
plsniper 2 months ago 2
Not sure about "hardly any movement" unless the 707 had some secret Anti-Turbulence Mode that is no longer in existence.
MrChuck2221 2 months ago
I remember getting dressed up but... "no feeling of movement at all" "hardly any sound"? Guess I just imagined throwing up in the little bags they stuffed in every seat back pocket.
432b86ed 3 months ago
The first PanAm B707 never flew directly from USA to Europe. The 707 made stopover at New Foundland for refueling, then took off to Europe. The earlier B707s were skinny and carried less fuel. PanAm requested to enlarge the cabin and increase the volume of fuel tank. Boeing refused but contrary the DC-8 from Douglas did stretch their planes according to the demands. Boeing followed later and stretched B707 which made nonstop transatlantic possible.
Shipocute 3 months ago
I am too young to have traveled like this, but it looks fabulous. These days, an airplane is no different than a bus. The romance, excitement and sense of adventure are no longer in our society, and that is the greatest shame of all. The suits in the boardroom just want to squeeze as much $ out of their passengers as they can. Please the shareholders, not the customer.
0Heavy0Metal0 4 months ago
GOONE FOREVER!!! Well maybe not in First Class... you all do realize that air travel was so refined at the time because the seats on board were First Class or the equv. of Economy Plus... That being the case, who do you think are going to be buying tickets???
MEATYOKERRable 4 months ago
Today airline travel is rife with delays, body searches, security issues. They herd the "grotesque populace" into cramped cabins like sardines. The customers are low-class and behave and dress like slobs. Gone are the beautiful stewardesses that resemble models. The customer was king in those days. Some airlines now charge for a lousy bag of peanuts. When I think of Pan Am I think of what America used to be like. How much we have fallen.
meg3325 4 months ago 10
@meg3325 can you imagine dressing up these days, with seats only a child would be comfortable in. Still, I will remember the flight I was on where a guy took his sandals off. Naked feet, nooooooooo....
Iluthra 1 month ago
There's a reason that so many things that used to be "classy", from Airline flight to even the simple smile (and clean presentation) of a McDonald's order-taker: We were once a homogeneous society, for the most part, basically White, with some Black, and "class" and decency, despite the turbulence of outliers, was part of our culture (in the black culture as well). Over the decades, our shared culture has devolved. Take a look around.
ScottMacFie 5 months ago 3
Pan Am is coming back to service. Its said on there website.
a380j 6 months ago
@a380j In Brownsville they'll have Clipper jets to Latin America... I don't know if they are doing it or not. But mainly cargo flights then will move on with passenger jet.
Shipocute 4 months ago
@Shipocute yeah exactly! =) thats how they are starting it.
a380j 3 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
Flying on commercial airlines around the world today is about as luxurious as riding on a Greyhound bus -- with one exception: Japan.
crankylifter 7 months ago
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crankylifter 7 months ago
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crankylifter 7 months ago
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crankylifter 7 months ago
Aaaah, yes those were indeed the good old days. Unfortunately those days are long gone. That's why I no longer fly. The last time was in June of 1991. There have been a lot of changes since then. None of them were good.
SugarSweettart 9 months ago 3
i miss these good old days. when passengers dressed well, had manners, didn't bring on everything they own, and were civilized!
justjack78 1 year ago 11
@justjack78 You are SOOOO correct! All the best .
coolspindrift 1 year ago
@justjack78 YOU HIT THE NAIL ON THE HEAD!
flyairboy 1 year ago
@justjack78 I can imagine an airliner cabin without any babies cry during flight and well dressed businessman or even the youngsters with formal clothing. Oh my! the food they are serving on the movie looks like heavy meal that you can find only in good steak restaurants!
Shipocute 4 months ago
Thank God those days are over!!! Who wants to kiss so much ass and deal with so much food? This is an airplane not Burger King!
aeromozo76 2 weeks ago
@aeromozo76 hi, thanks for the laugh! happy superbowl day!!!
justjack78 2 weeks ago
The stu lights his cigarette...and, no overhead bins that would hold anything in...
derekmimi 1 year ago