Let’s take a trip back in time to the golden age of flying, from the 1950s to the 1970s. It was a time when flying was all about luxury and style. Imagine stepping onto a plane where everything was classy and fancy, from the seats to the uniforms. This was a special time in aviation history, where every flight felt like a grand adventure.
A Luxurious Ride in the Sky: The Golden Age of Flying
![golden age of flying - Bacchanalian motifs served as a backdrop to cocktail hour on Lufthansa's first-class 'Senator' service in 1958](https://theheartysoul.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/image-27-1024x576.png)
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Your Ticket Cost a Lot
![When it comes to booking a flight today, travelers are spoiled for choice, with numerous options available to find the best price for their journey.](https://theheartysoul.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/image-25-1024x591.png)
When it comes to booking a flight today, travelers are spoiled for choice, with numerous options available to find the best price for their journey. However, during the Golden Age of air travel, choices were far more limited—and significantly more expensive. Take, for example, a round-trip ticket from Chicago to Phoenix, which according to a TWA brochure from 1955, cost $138. At first glance, this might seem like a reasonable deal. But when adjusted for inflation, this not-even-cross-country trip would set you back about $1,200 in today’s money.
Aviation history expert Guillaume de Syon sheds light on the staggering cost differentials of the Golden Age. He notes, “[Depending] on the route, it was four to five times as expensive to fly in the Golden Age.” International travel, in particular, was prohibitively expensive, making it accessible only to the wealthiest individuals.
A Feast for the Senses: Fancy Food and Great Service
![golden age of flying - Sunday roast is carved for passengers in first class on a BOAC VC10 in 1964](https://theheartysoul.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/image-18-1024x810.png)