Vintage Airlines: Come Fly With Me.

It’s true. I’m obsessed with vintage travel. I love old suitcases, vintage travel posters, retro airports—and I love love love old stewardess uniforms (yeah yeah, I know…“flight attendants”). Back in the day flying was much more glamorous. It was an event. People were genuinely impressed (“WOW! We’re FLYING through the air in a metal ship!!”) You got dressed up to board a plane and wore "travel clothes". You ate food on real china. You didn’t have to pay for drinks. You were a jetsetter. And stewardesses (please indulge me with the old school name) were like super models. Becoming a stew was considered an honor and dating one was something of a status symbol.





Of course I know it wasn't all sunshine and roses (the ladies had to maintain strict weight requirements and "grooming standards" in order to fly—not to mention leering drunkards pinching their pert lil booties). But at its most basic, it was a pretty glamorous lifestyle. My favorite "vintage" airlines are Braniff, Pan Am and PSA. Lemme show you why.

First up, BRANIFF. These guys had it going on. In 1965 they came up with a campaign called “The end of the plain plane” and famously hired Alexander Girard to paint the planes in candy colors. Of course the reason I love them is that they also hired Italian snazzer Emilio Pucci to redesign all the uniforms their Air Hostesses wore. Honestly….the space bubble?







In the 70s they even had Alexander Calder paint a design on the planes to make them even more whimsical and fun. Oh Braniff, how we miss you.

Next up, PAN AM. 

These guys have, quite possibly the best logo in aviation. I have a clear memory of flying on Pan Am to Europe with my parents in the 70s. For some reason it has always represented the ultimate in classy travel to me. Back in the 90s I scored a Pan Am flight bag at the thrift store and its always been one of my treasured possessions. 





PSA (or Pacific Southwest Airline) was the total swingin’ 60s airline. I discovered their crazy go-go stewardess uniforms many years ago and was forever hooked. Mini skirts with hot pants, wee hats (!!) and sassy boots. I love it all. 




A far cry form the khaki shorts and polo shirts flight attendants wear these days. I know we're all about "being comfortable" these days and most travelers wear sweats and sneaks or (shudder) flip flops, showing off grotty toes. We bemoan the delays and try to cram colossal rolling suitcases into the overhead bin. But every now and then I'll spy an older couple on a flight, beautifully dressed, sitting serenely. And I know they remember. To them, air travel is still a miracle of modern science. An exciting adventure. I always try to catch their eye and smile, as if to say "hey, I remember too."