Bygone Boeing Photos Portray The Grace And Glory Of Air Travel In The 1970s

When Boeing originally designed the 747 they considered it a low-end product, never suspecting that it would become a cultural icon of the modern era. From 1970 until 2007 when the first Airbus A380 took to the skies, the 747 was the largest passenger carrier ever, and the remarkable image of its bulky head has become part of our cultural consciousness.

Photos from the early days depicting spacious cabins, comfortable lounge chairs and smartly-clothed passengers are a stark reminder of the ‘golden age’ of commercial aviation in comparison to the packed and often poor travel conditions we’re accustomed to today.

In a time when airlines competed on service and not price, the Boeing 747 was the undisputed ‘hero bird’ of this era – the good ol days when passengers didn’t try to avoid baggage fees by bringing carry-ons that would have classified as full size luggage, when flying was intended to be a memorable experience, when service mattered, and when swivel seats were almost the only way to fly.

Commercial air travel was an affluent and social affair and most airlines had forward and aft lounges where passengers were free to stretch their legs, have a drink and network with their peers.

Ladies & gentlemen welcome aboard this departure flight to London. Please greet your neighbour, charge your glass and light up a smoke.

Smoking Cigarettes on the Plane

Legroom legitimate in the 747 Economy Class of the 70’s.

Passengers aboard a Boeing 747 enjoy the spacious economy class configuration.

Photo from Pan Am archives

Can you imagine any airline of the modern era configuring the cabin interior of the 747 specially to provide more “living space” for each passenger? Braniff International did! Circa 1971.

Braniff International 747 Interior 1971

Photo from Braniff Flying Colors

Flying in the 1970’s meant more room for knitting and nattering.

Retro 747 Cabin Interior

Suit up, fasten your seatbelt and sit back. The early Boeing 377 Stratocruiser interior.

Boeing 377 Stratocruiser

Photo from davidmixner.com

The luxurious First Class International Lounge onboard a 747. This uber plush and Larsen textile adorned Upstairs Lounge featured 12 extravagant lounge seats and a “Shagadelic” rug.

First Class Braniff International Boeing 747-127

Photo from Braniff Flying Colors

The Boeing 747 was once, and to some extent still is, the most exclusive address in the sky.

First Class Cabin Braniff 747

Photo from Braniff Flying Colors

This retro 747-100 Upper Deck Lounge looks like something out of The Jetsons

747-100 Upper Deck Lounge

Photo from boeingimages.com

Yep, traveling in a Boeing 747 in the 1970s was pretty damn awesome!

Inside the Boeing 747 of 1970

Jack Wadell, the First 747 Pilot, helped with the airplane’s design, particularly the cockpit.

Jack Wadell Boeing 747 Pilot

Photo from boeingimages.com


While the appeal of old school commercial aviation still holds strong, there’s much to be said for the new era of flying – an age piloted (pun intended!) by Boeing and Airbus with its A380. Many operators of Airbus’ flying behemoth have forgone the opportunity to squeeze more seats in favour of increasing features and creature comforts in the sky – this harks back to the old school days of aviation.

Emirates is one major carrier leading the charge in this regard with their Onboard Lounges, while the Lufthansa’s 747-400 retrofitted First Class cabin where everybody gets a seat and separate bed also springs to mind.

Not to mention the service one receives in the sky nowadays! From the “Flying Chef” service on Turkish Airlines to Etihad’s recently introduced “Flying Nanny” concept – a new offer from the airline whereby specially trained child caregivers are available to parents on long haul flights for an additional fee.

On reflection, there’s no doubt that we have lost and gained perks in the skies and we found these retro Boeing photos from the 70s to be a fitting memento from the Golden Age of flying.

The prototype 747, named the City of Everett, is on display at Seattle's Museum of Flight.

The prototype 747, named the City of Everett, is on display at Seattle’s Museum of Flight.

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