The Golden era of passenger aviation

A long time ago flying was fun, comfortable and glamorous. That was before passengers started to search, before people had to curl up in a knot to fit comfortably in the chair, and before all had to pay – from drinks on Board to hand Luggage. Let's look at the pictures of the heyday of air travel.

(Just 20 photos)

1. Everything is relative. The passengers of the aircraft in the 60s did not even know how lucky they are and with what comfort they fly. Photo: passengers of plane, "Braniff" in 1967 enjoy personal space while drinking coffee and reading magazines. (Bettmann / Corbis)

2. Passengers on Board the "Boeing Stratocruiser". This double-Decker plane was equipped with beds and a VIP-room with a bar. So long flights turned into a pleasant journey. (Bettmann / Corbis)

3. Captain ll Tris with two flight attendants goes into the break room after a quick flight from Chicago to Washington. (Bettmann / Corbis)

4. The flight attendants allowed the passenger to look into the cockpit. (Bettmann / Corbis)

5. This is a copy of the first cabin in the United States in 1956. Flight attendants pose in the plane "Boeing Jet Stratoliner" 98 seats, which had air conditioning, water, stoves, refrigerators, reading light and emergency exits. (Bettmann / Corbis)

6. Girl smiling to the stewardess on Board the plane somewhere in the 1945-1955 years. (Bettmann / Corbis)

7. Flight attendants in uniform. (Underwood & Underwood / Corbis)

8. Passengers "Air France" enjoy delicious delicacies and friendly smiles of the flight attendants. (Corbis / Bettmann)

9. A couple of passengers enjoying the privacy and friendly service in a private cabin of the aircraft in the 40s. (Pictorial Parade Archive Photos / Getty Images)

10. Flight attendant helps pilot to climb down the ladder from the plane in France. (Gaston Paris / Getty Images)

11. Kids chairs that fold out and turn in bed, while a fantastic flight in 1948, during which they brought Breakfast in bed. (Bettmann / Corbis)

12. Stewardesses of "Western Airlines" work service each other on Board the aircraft in the Training center of Los Angeles. Flight attendants were trained to walk carefully in this part of the plane with trays of food, but don't spend time on it. (Bettmann / Corbis)

13. Marilyn Monroe on the plane "American Airlines" in new York on the way to Hollywood in 1956. (Bettmann / Corbis)

14. Pat Boone family says goodbye to new York city, climbing on Board the plane that will take them home – in Hollywood. (Bettmann / Corbis)

15. Frank Sinatra looks happy after landing at London airport in 1956. (Hulton-Deutsch Collection / Corbis)

16. Rock Hudson out of the plane in new York with Ann Blyth in 1952. (Bettmann / Corbis)

17. In 1950 the team of professional baseball players had to take the planes after the strike of railway workers. On the photo: Yogi Berra and Phil Rizzuto of the Yankees playing cards in anticipation of takeoff. (Bettmann / Corbis)

18. Hugh Hefner and Cynthia Maddox (next to and on the cover of his magazine) on Board the plane from Chicago to new York for a party of Ella Fitzgerald. (Bettmann / Corbis)

19. Audrey Hepburn with a 7-month old son Sean is sent to Rome to then meet with the then husband of Audrey with Mel Ferrer. (Bettmann / Corbis)

20. Advertising from the 1950's where the husband says goodbye to his wife and child before you get on a plane on a business trip. (PoodlesRock / Corbis)