It’s no secret that the air travel industry has gone through plenty of changes throughout the decades. With everything from heightened security to updated in-flight technology, someone who began flying in the 1960s might not even recognize many of today’s airline rules and regulations. Here are 22 then and now photos of air travel that will absolutely fascinate you — no matter what your age.
1. Florida has always been a popular United States vacation destination. Take a look at Melbourne, Florida’s airport in 1960. The second photo shows the same airport today, now known as Orlando Melbourne International Airport.
2. Airline passengers in 1970 didn’t have convenient trams to take them from the parking lot to the terminal, as evidenced by this photo from Ronald Reagan Washington International Airport. Traffic at the airport isn’t quite the same these days!
3. Not a self check-in kiosk in sight at Memphis International Airport in 1973. Today, visitors to MEM can help themselves prepare for boarding as soon as they arrive.
5. Airport security was significantly less strenuous back in 1973, when this photo was captured at Columbia Metropolitan Airport in South Carolina. Today, travelers should be prepared to go shoeless!
6. Air travel was notably more relaxed in its early days. Friends and family could walk loved ones right to the gate, and these photos show the contrast in check-in lines between 1973 and today -- notice the man casually smoking his pipe!
7. Pan-Am flight attendants show off their iconic blue uniforms between flights in 1962. Which would you rather wear: these vintage outfits or those donned by modern day flight attendants?
8. Okay, we couldn’t resist one more flight attendant throwback to these unique Eastern Airlines uniforms, shown here in 1980. Fashion sure has shifted over the decades, hasn’t it?
9. As these smiling passengers from the 1950s prove, checking out food and beverage options has always been the most exciting part of air travel. Today, our selections seem a bit broader.
11. While the times have certainly changed, one thing remains constant: nothing beats the feeling of stepping off that plane and arriving at your final destination.
Do you have any vintage air travel photos or memories to share? We’re always eager to hear from you, so feel free to tell us about your experiences in the comment section below. Happy travels!
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